FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2006	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 Bob and Margaret Kintigh of Springfield, Oregon as the 2006 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The Kintighs received their award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Mobile, Ala. This annual ATFS award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland.

The 50 year story of the Kintigh’s Mountain Home Ranch began in 1956 when Bob and Margaret purchased an initial 160 acres that included open fields, brush and stump lands and many acres of 15-year-old natural Douglas fir stands. Today, the Kintighs manage 249 acres of productive forestland. The production of Christmas trees and nursery stock served as the main source of family income for many years.

Bob has dedicated his life to forestry with a desire to leave his property more productive than when he first began. With a management plan and goals set for the future, the Kintigh Family Limited Partnership will continue sustainable forestry for generations to come.

Wildlife management is an integral part of the Kintigh’s plans for their forestland. They set aside an area along a creek in 1957 as a riparian zone. Ponds constructed many years ago are frequented by herons, Canadian geese and wild ducks. Numerous birdhouses around the property are home to swallows and a variety of song birds. This year, some of the large “legacy trees” became the home to a pair of eagles who raised two young eaglets.

The Kintighs were selected from a long list of certified Tree Farmers throughout the nation. They were recognized as the 2005 Oregon Tree Farmers of the Year and the Lane County Tree Farmers of the Year.
Their forestry efforts include a thriving nursery and Christmas tree business. Additionally, their property incudes an arboretum of more than 30 kinds of firs and a rhododendron garden with more than 700 kinds of rhododendrons and azaleas.

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.

“We all know 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 Bob and Margaret, set an example for all forestland owners. Their work of the past 49 years will benefit their family for generations to come.”

Bob served 12 years as an Oregon State Senator, becoming the first and only forester to serve in the Oregon Senate. He was chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and Vice Chairman of Water Resources Committee. During his last session he was unanimously elected Presidenet Pro Tempore. He also served in various leadership positions with the Society of American Foresters and the Oregon Small Woodlands Association.

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 29 million acres of privately owned forestland and 73,000 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 4,400 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.

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