FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2003	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, along with BASF Corp., named Mary Perala of International Falls, Minn. as the winner of the BASF Forestry Products Outstanding Achievements in Sustainable Forestry Award for 2003. Perala received her award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Columbus, Ohio, Hardwood Country, The Heart of it All.

Perala, who has worked for Boise Cascade Corp. for 16 years, is the Timber Sale Supervisor in Boise's Midwest Woodlands. In this position, she has had the opportunity to interact with close to 100 private landowners in the region annually and has used those interactions to further the good name of sustainable forestry. Her work with the landowners has included such projects as creating management plans and overseeing the harvesting and replanting of trees on their land.

However, Perala's position with Boise is only one of the many outlets she uses to promote sustainable forestry. She has been involved with ATFS at the regional and state levels in Minnesota for nine years. She served as Chair of the committee last year and has recently taken on the large responsibility of Re-inspection Chair. In this capacity, Perala has worked through a backlog of recertifications, assuring that 2,200 landowners and the 900,000 acres they manage will continue to be certified under ATFS.

"I couldn't be here if not for landowners like you," Perala said at the award ceremony. "Thank you so much. Your dedication just keeps inspiring me."

While helping landowners manage their land sustainably is key to Perala's mission, she also realizes the need to expose future generations and those not directly involved with managing forest lands to what the words "sustainable forestry" really mean when put into practice. With this in mind, Perala leads a Girl Scout Troop and is the Timber Talk Coordinator where she has conducted sessions with fourth grade classes in the region for 15 years. Her true heart for forestry shows in her multiple commitments and in her drive to see more good forestry on more acres.

"Mary truly deserves this recognition," said Bob Simpson, director of the American Tree Farm System. "Her passion for sustainable forest management stretches well beyond the confines of her job. In fact, Mary has spent many hours getting involved and reaching out to her community to help broaden the message of good forest management."

Throughout her efforts to spread good practices of sustainable forest management, Perala has shown true leadership. Upon receiving her award she told the audience of over 350 that she would be turning the award check over to the Minnesota Tree Farm Committee and putting the money back into her home state.

For more information please contact Amanda Rudy, Communications Coordinator, 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, the ATFS 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.

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, Mary Perala., was selected by five independent judges to receive the award and the $5,000 cash award from BASF. The BASF Award was presented to Perala at the 2003 National Tree Farmer Convention in Columbus, Ohio.