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, along with BASF Corp., named Richard Stricklin of Mountain View, Missouri. as the winner of the BASF Forestry Products Outstanding Achievements in Sustainable Forestry Award for 2005.  Stricklin received his award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Springfield, Mass.

The BASF award recognizes individual achievement in spreading the practice of sustainable forestry in their communities.  Stricklin has worked tirelessly for years volunteering as chair of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Top of the Ozarks Resource Conservation and Development Council, a 10 county, non-profit organization, and as a Tree Farmer.

Stricklin has constantly sought out new ways to reach local timber owners in the Ozarks. With the Top of the Ozarks Resource Conservation and Development Council, Stricklin has headed a diverse portfolio of activities including a television pilot on the Ozarks, resource publications and websites, educational workshops, and multiple projects and initiatives focusing on land management and sustainability.  His projects take all facets of sustainable forestry into account, creating effective, balanced projects.

Stricklin’s commitment to proper management of forestland extends to his own 160 acres of forestland.  He has been a certified ATFS member since 1987 and was certified as a Forest Crop Land Cooperator in 1990.  Annually, Stricklin personally implements 10 acres of timber stand improvement based on his long term management plan developed with the Missouri Department of Conservation, converting poor forestland to rich short leaf pine. 

“Richard deserves this recognition,” said Bob Simpson, Senior Vice President, ATFS. “His passion for sustainable forest management has reached beyond measurement in the Ozarks.  He has selflessly dedicated his time, energy, and knowledge to improving the land to which he is dedicated.”

Stricklin has been a consistent voice in the Ozarks for nearly two decades, contributing to the acceptance and implementation of sustainable forestry practices across the Ozarks. 

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 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.

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, Richard Strickland., was selected by five independent judges to receive the award and the $5,000 cash award from BASF.  The BASF Award was presented to Strickland at the 2005 National Tree Farmer Convention in Springfield, Mass.