Washington, D.C. – The American Tree Farm System (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, along with BASF Corp., named Walt McPhail of Mauldin, S.C. as the winner of the BASF Forestry Products Outstanding Achievements in Sustainable Forestry Award for 2004.  McPhail received his award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Fort Collins, CO, Tree Farming With Altitude.

 

The BASF award recognizes individual achievement in spreading the practice of sustainable forestry in their communities.  McPhail and his wife, Barbara, own several tracts of land that together, total 776 acres of Tree Farm land.  They have been actively managing their land since their first purchase in 1985 and their history is saturated with activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing sustainable forestry.  The McPhails were also ATFS’s 2003 Southern Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.

 

McPhail’s interest in Tree Farming began in 1958 when he was a senior in high school. His commitment to sustainable forestry includes protecting fish and wildlife habitat, practicing soil and water conservation, and adhering to other Best Management Practices.  In addition, he’s committed to managing his forests to meet present needs while planning and working to enhance future generation’s enjoyment and benefits from resource values. 

 

The McPhails manage their timber aggressively and have a myriad of other projects going on around the Tree Farm as well.  They have a wetlands restoration project which includes three ducks ponds; they lease their land to hunt clubs; and they host tours around their property to show how active forest management can make a difference in the productivity of the forest.

 

“Walt deserves this recognition,” said Bob Simpson, Senior Vice President, ATFS. “His passion for sustainable forest management reaches landowners, students, and officials who gain an appreciation for forestland.  Walt has spent countless hours helping to advocate the positive impacts of good forest management.”

 

Upon receiving his award, McPhail told the audience of over 300 that he would be donating the award check to the Master Tree Farmer program, the South Carolina Tree Farm Committee and a special volunteer, Frances Taylor of the South Carolina Forestry Association. 

 

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, the ATFS 33 million acres of privately owned forestland and has 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.

 

The BASF Outstanding Achievements in Sustainable Forestry Award is a cooperative award between the American Tree Farm System? and BASF Corp.  The award honors an individual who has achieved significant results in their community by effectively reaching out to forest landowners and/or the general public to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable forestry.  This year’s winner, Walt McPhail., was selected by five independent judges to receive the award and the $5,000 cash award from BASF.  The BASF Award was presented to McPhail at the 2004  National Tree Farmer Convention in Fort Collins, CO.