FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2005	Contact:Amanda Rudy 202.463.2442 arudy@forestfoundation.org

Washington, D.C. — The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), will honor Jeffrey G. Brown, of Elgin, S.C., with the 2005 National Field Leadership Award. Brown will receive his award during the ATFS National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, March 2.

The Tree Farm Field Leadership Award recognizes individuals that have been instrumental in inspecting family forestland and its adherence to AFF’s Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification. across a region or state.  It highlights the efforts of key Tree Farm committee volunteers for the role they plain accomplishing the ATFS goal of sustaining forests, watersheds, and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship.

Brown has been an active member of the South Carolina Tree Farm Committee for more than ten years.  During his tenure, he has served as both the Committee Chairman and the Vice Chairman. He has also played a vital role in the S.C. Tree Farm Committee silent auction, which is a key fundraising event for projects such as the Master Tree Farmer Program, communications, and education.  In the position of Chairman, Brown’s group maintained a 100 percent completion rate of re-inspections for five years in a row – the highest in the state. 

His belief in and commitment to the Tree Farm program and to the message of sustainable forestry is evidenced in his extensive work with the committee activities and the local community. He participated in the first Master Tree Farmer Program simulcast held in South Carolina; helped lead the first Train the Trainer workshop at the South Carolina Forestry Commission; played an active role in the South Carolina Teachers’ Tour, an outdoor environmental education course for the state’s teachers; conducted several sessions about Tree Farming at the local middle school’s career day; and has presented the benefits of sustainable forestry to youth groups, field day participants, and in articles he’s written for the local papers.

"We are proud to honor Jeff Brown.  His dedication and drive the spread the good word of sustainable forestry helps ATFS accomplish its mission of getting more good forestry on more acres and keeping it there.” Stephanie Brown, Director of Field Operations for the American Tree Farm System said. "He sincerely deserves this recognition."  In recognition of his achievements, Jeff will reveive a plaque and all expences paid travel to the 2005 ATFS National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, TX.

Brown’s active involvement within his community has played a vital role in creating a greater understanding of the Tree Farm program as well as of forestland stewardship. He is a licensed forester in South Carolina and Georgia, a member of the Society of American Foresters, the South Carolina Forestry Association, the Richland Landowner Association, and is an active member of the South Carolina Tree Farm Committee.

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.