2010-2015 Standards of SustainabilityWe are pleased to announce that the American Forest Foundation (AFF) 2010-2015 Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification were approved by the AFF Board of Trustees on November 3rd, 2009. The 2010-2015 Standards were developed by an independent panel of experts, representing academia, conservation organizations, Federal and State governments, landowners, and foresters. Bob Simpson, AFF Senior Vice President for Forestry, said "Although our ATFS certification program is the oldest in America, founded in 1941, we are constantly working to improve our standards to make them fit new conservation forestry practices and consumer expectations. Consumers want to be able to rely on green brands, and the ATFS brand continues to grow in stature and acceptance." American Forest Foundation's 2010-1015 Standards of SustainabilityManagement Plan Addendum for the AFF 2010-2015 StandardsThe American Tree Farm System has developed a management plan addendum for Tree Farmers whose management plans already meet the 2004-2008 Standards and are looking to update their plans to be in conformance with the newly released 2010-2015 AFF Standards of Sustainability. The management plan addendum covers only the new items required in the 2010 Standards that were not previously addressed under the 2004 Standards (which Tree Farmers would have been certified under if they were certified before 2010).
Landowner Q&A Webinar on the new 2010-2015 StandardsTree Farm is offering a series of Internet-based webinars this year that will feature additional information for landowners, volunteers, and forestry consultants. The one-hour webinar will cover how the new Standards will impact current forest management practices. Mark you calendar with the following webinar dates, register now, and make plans to join one or more of these webinars.
Tuesday, September 14 from 1:00-2:00pm If you are interested in the webinars but are unable to participate, you can view the presentation from these webinars or listen to a recording from the April 13, 2010 webinar. We will also be hosting some state specific webinars. If your property is in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, or Washington, you can also join us for one of the following webinars:
Thursday, April 22 at 1:00pm EST The 6 things you need to know about the new Standards1) Designed for small woodland owners: These Standards were developed specifically for small woodland owners. The independent panel took care to ensure that the requirements were appropriate for the scale of management practiced on family woodlands across the U.S. 2) Management plan: The management plan requirements help streamline the process for Tree Farm owners to participate in USDA conservation incentive programs. The management plan requirements under the 2010-2015 Standards correlate with the US Forest Service guidelines for forest stewardship program forest management plans. Tree Farm management plans will address the following elements as appropriate for the land certified: 3) Special Sites: As the current Standards do, the 2010-2015 Standards require maintenance of special cultural and environmental sites (historical, archeological, geological, biological and ecological sites). ATFS will be introducing new tools on the Tree Farm website to help landowners research special sites in their state and on their certified Tree Farms. 4) Monitoring: Periodic monitoring has been added to the Standards to encourage landowners to monitor their woodlands for changes that could interfere with their management objectives. Things to be on the look out for include pest outbreaks (pine beetle, emerald ash borer, etc), invasive species encroachment (kudzu, Canadian thistle), and indications of trespass. Many landowners are already doing things like walking their boundaries, and inspecting after a thinning or planting for new groups of invasive species. 5) Invasive Species: Tree Farmers are encouraged to make practical efforts to prevent, eradicate or otherwise control invasive species using a range of integrated pest management methods. Integrated pest management methods may include pesticides, physical removal methods and preventative methods. 6) One year to implement: The new Standards were officially released January 1, 2010, and Tree Farmers will have one year to ensure their management plans and management activities meet the Standards. All volunteer inspectors will be retrained to the new Standards within the year and we will be working with state programs to provide education to Tree Farmers about the changes. To read the new Standards, visit 2010-2015 AFF Standards of Sustainability. More detailed information on the Standards will be provided in the March/April 2010 Tree Farmer magazine, this year’s complimentary issue. Strengthening the AFF Standards is an important step in gaining and expanding woodland owner’s access to markets through American Tree Farm System certification. The implementation of third-party certification assessments is essential for maintaining the credibility of the Tree Farm program. Tree Farmers should be prepared for the possibility they will be asked to participate in third-party assessments. An assessment visit is similar to a Tree Farm inspection, where the assessor will review the management plan and related documents and take a walk around the property to confirm the management follows the appropriate management plan. 12 states per year are selected to participate in the third-party certification assessments. In 2009, third-party assessors visited Tree Farms in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine, Vermont, West Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, New Mexico and Colorado. Thank you to all of the landowners, volunteer foresters and state committee volunteers that participated in the 2009 assessments! In 2010, third-party assessors will visit Tree Farmers in New Hampshire, Maryland, Delaware, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. |
