FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 2003	Contact:Brigitte Johnson 202.463.5163

Washington, D.C. — Bob Simpson, Director of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) was named to the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification System's (PEFC) Board of Directors at their 7th Annual General Assembly held in Luxembourg in October 2003. "I am pleased the American Tree Farm System is represented on the PEFC Board. The American Tree Farm System is the oldest sustainable forestry and certification program in the world and we look forward to working constructively in close partnership," said Henri Plauche Gillon, Chairman of the PEFC Council.

The PEFC Council is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization, founded in 1999 which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. The PEFC provides an assurance mechanism to purchasers of wood and paper products that they are promoting the sustainable management of forests. This new PEFC Board reflects interested organizations that support PEFC and the geographical diversity of its members. Directors are elected for three years with one third of board eligible for election each year.

Simpson began his involvement with PEFC as an official observer for the U.S. Family Forest Owners in 1999. ATFS joined PEFC in 2002. "The election of Bob Simpson to the Board reflects PEFC's continuing globalization. We are delighted to have such a well known expert taking part in the further development of PEFC," commented Ben Gunneberg, PEFC Council Secretary General.

Simpson was appointed Director of ATFS in April of 1994, after a 16-year career as a field and management forester. His responsibilities as ATFS Director include overseeing and administering the Tree Farm System's certification program and the conservation education and outreach component for private family forest owners.

Prior to joining ATFS, Simpson was employed with Chesapeake Corp, located in Richmond, Va. Simpson acted as coordinator for Chesapeake's landowner assistance program and external communication program, both of which he designed. Simpson received his BS in Forest Resource Management in 1979 from Virginia Tech's College of Forestry and Wildlife.

For more information please contact Brigitte Johnson, APR, Director of Communications, 202.463.5163, Email bjohnson@forestfoundation.org or visit ATFS at www.treefarmsystem.org.

The American Tree Farm System^® (ATFS) is a national program that promotes the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to private forest landowners. Founded in 1941, ATFS consists of 26 million acres of privately owned forestland and has 61,000 family forest owners who are committed to excellence in forest stewardship. Tree Farmers manage their forestlands for wood, water, wildlife, and recreation with assistance from 6,000 volunteer foresters. ATFS is a program of the American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and informed decision-making about our communities and our world.