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 Nick and Carol Thoney, of Daggett, Michigan, as the 2005 North Central Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.  The Thoney’s 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.

Nick, a farmer and logger, and Carol 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 Thoney’s Tree Farming history is saturated with activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing the good name of Tree Farming.

Tree farming has been a life-long passion for Nick.  At 10 years-old he began acquiring forest land.  By the time he reached 17 years of age, he had purchased 40 acres. Today, Nick and Carol’s ownership consists of approximately 2,400 acres, over half of which is managed timberlands.  Timber harvests have occurred annually for the nearly half century Nick has owned land.  Some of the first pine plantations have been thinned for the third time.

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 Nick and Carol, actively manage their forests because they want to be examples of superior stewardship.  A life-long passion for tress farming has enabled their acres to be managed properly for nearly half a century, improving the chances for America’s forest resources to thrive for generations to come.”

The Thoney’s insist their Tree Farm is not a happy farm; it is a working enterprise that must pay its own way.  Over 25,000 Christmas trees have been produced from plantation trees and cultured seedlings.  Over the years, Nick and Carol have produced in excess of 250 tons of Christmas boughs.  To ensure that their land continues to be wisely and sustainably managed, the Thoney’s have created long-term trust for Thoney Family Tree Farm.

For more information please contact Brigitte Johnson, Director of Communications, 202.463.5164, 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.