FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2005	Contact:Brigitte Johnson, APR 202.463.5163 bjohnson@forestfoundation.org

Washington, D.C. – The American Tree Farm System^® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, named Tom and Sherry Fox of Lewis County, Wash., as the 2005 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.  The Foxes received their award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Springfield, Mass. This annual ATFS award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland.

Tom and Sherry, owners of a forestry consulting firm, Tree Management Plus, were selected from a long list of certified Tree Farmers throughout the nation. Having been actively involved in promoting tree farming and the benefits of sustainable forestry in their community for years, the Foxes tree farming history is saturated with activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing the good name of tree farming.

Tom and Sherry started small in their forest management endeavors.  A job relocation gave them the courage and the opportunity to move to five acres in Lewis County, Washington.  By the mid-90s they had acquired additional parcels; their Tagshinny Tree Farm is now 144 acres of managed land.  The Foxes have planted 55,000 genetically improved seedlings, thinned trees, and conducted regeneration harvests. 

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.

“The future of forestry depends on proper land management,” said Bob Simpson, Senior Vice President-Forestry of the American Forest Foundation.  “Family forest owners, like Tom and Sherry, actively manage their forests because they believe it is essential for sustainability.  Their work is a testament to the positive impacts that sustainable forestry has not only on today’s forests but on the forests of tomorrow”

Tom and Sherry have spent the last two decades engaged in issues affecting family forestland owners in Washington State.  They have served on local and state chapters of their forestry association and were the first family to get approval for a federal Habitat Conservation Plan.  They also were intrically involved in the creation of a Small Forest Landowner Office in the Washington Department of Natural Resources.   A Forest Riparian Easement Program that pays small landowners impacted by stream buffers also was enacted thanks to the Foxes work. In fact, advocating on behalf of land owners in Washington has been an integral part of their Tree Farming philosophy. 

The Foxes have made responsible forestry the cornerstone of operating their tree farm and have become the “go to” voice on Washington’s forestland for state agencies.  It is for these reasons and so many more, that the Foxes received their award surrounded by a standing ovation.

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 has 33 million acres of privately owned forestland and 80,000 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 5,200 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.