FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2004	Contact:Amanda Rudy 202.463.2442

Washington, D.C. – The American Tree Farm System®  (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, named Malcolm and Henrietta Olson, of Erie, Pa., as the 2004 Northeast Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.  The Olsons received their award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Fort Collins, Colo., Tree Farming With Altitude. This annual ATFS award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland.

Malcolm, a retired development engineer, and Henrietta, a retired dental assistant, were selected from a long list of Tree Farmers throughout the Northeast region. Having been actively involved in promoting Tree Farming in their community for years, the Olsons’ Tree Farming history is saturated with activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing the good name of Tree Farming.

The Olsons own several tracts of land totaling 238 acres, in and around Titusville and Union City, Pennsylvania.  They have managed these lands as certified Tree Farms, in some cases, for more than 20 years.

Certified Tree Farmers own at least 10 acres of forestland and actively follow a forest management plan developed in partnership with an ATFS volunteer forester.  The plan addresses forest sustainability, wildlife habitat, recreation, and water and soil conservation.

“Active management is essential for sustainability,” said Bob Simpson, Vice President of the American Forest Foundation.  “Family forest owners, like Malcolm and Henrietta, actively manage their forests because they want to be examples of superior stewardship.  By passing on the love of their land to their community they are improving the chances for America’s forest resources to thrive for generations to come.”

The Olsons created their first management plan in 1981 with the goal of growing quality wood products and maintaining a good wildlife habitat.  Remaining faithful to that plan, and further growing on it, they have made their land available to the community as an active example of the benefits of sustainable forestry.  Their woods have served as working laboratories for developing better forest management techniques.  The Olson Tree Farms have also served as the perfect settings to conduct forestry education tours and workshops, host meetings, and to observe proper forestry techniques.

The Olsons are strong believers in education and are glad to use their Tree Farms to help others understand and practice active forest management. 

For more information please contact Amanda Rudy, Manager, Communications, 202.463.2442, Email arudy@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 has 33 million acres of privately owned forestland and 51,000 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 4,000 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.