About Us

Members

ATFS members, 87,000 strong, are committed to "getting more good forestry on more acres, and keeping it there" by following sustainable forest management practices and techniques.

ATFS is administered through a network of Tree Farmers and private landowners, volunteer members of state and local committees and associations, national and state government agencies, inspecting foresters, forestry consultants, natural resource professionals and private industry.

Tree Farmers come from various backgrounds but they all share the commitment to improve their forestland through responsible forest management and conservation techniques. Tree Farmers are lawyers, doctors, entertainers and U.S. Cabinet members, as well as agricultural farmers, carpenters, and retirees. They manage their properties to develop multiple forest benefits including wood, water, wildlife and recreational opportunities.

Some Tree Farmers manage for wood production, while others prefer never to cut a tree. As long as members follow ATFS standards and guidelines for forest management, landowners may choose which actions to undertake on their property and remain an ATFS member.

Tree Farmers must own at least 10 acres of forestland, implement a written forest management plan, and follow ATFS standards and guidelines for forest management to become and remain a certified Tree Farm. Tree Farms are inspected and certified every five years by an ATFS inspecting forester to assure proper forest management that includes the conservation of soil, water and wildlife.

Once a property becomes a certified Tree Farm, the property must be re-inspected every five years. These inspections are conducted by one of 4,400 ATFS volunteer forester inspectors to verify adherence to ATFS's sustainable forest management standards and guidelines.

ATFS is a no cost membership organization. All members receive one complimentary copy of Tree Farmer, The Practical Guide to Sustainable Forestry magazine and invitations to conventions, field days, meetings, seminars and the opportunity to participate in ATFS grassroots policy efforts.