Inspector's Corner

Thank you for volunteering with American Tree Farm System to ensure the American Forest Foundation's (AFF) Standards of Sustainability for forest certification are met by Tree Farmers. By workings together, American Tree Farm System can make a significant contribution to the health, productivity and longevity of America's private woodlands.

Partnership for Better Forests

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) in partnership with the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) and the Society of American Foresters (SAF) is pleased to announce our “Partnership for Better Forests” program.  To learn more about this program and how to participate please visit our program page at http://www.treefarmsystem.org/partnershipforbetterforests.   

Resources

• Inspector Training: How do you become an Inspector? All candidates who meet the Inspector Requirements take a 4-hour classroom Inspector Training held by each State's Committee. Please contact your state for the next classroom Inspector Training.
  • Online training: a 1-hour training that serves as a refresher for Inspectors, available through the ATFS Database
• 2010-2015 AFF Standards of Sustainability are the current Standards all ATFS certified Tree Farms follow.
• Management Plan Template is a useful tool for landowners and foresters when creating or updating forest management plans.
• 2010 Management Plan Addendum is a tool foresters and landowners can use to update their management plans from the 2004 Standards to the 2010-2015 Standards. It's also a great place to record their research throughout to keep their management plan current and relevant.
• 004 Forms are the forms Inspecting Foresters fill out when initially certify or re-inspecting Tree Farms. Best Practice: keep a stack of these forms in your vehicle so you can perform an inspection anytime!
  
  • Editable PDF of 004 Form
  • Contact your state for a hard copy
  • How to complete a 004 Form
• Certification provides information about certification options for landowners, and background information about third-party certification and recognition.
• Guidence for Carbon Sequestration: a document that provides information on the importance of carbon sequestration and the steps foresters can take with their clients to get involved in carbon markets
• Southern Woodland Owners and Conservation Agreements: A comprehensive guide to various conservation agreements
• Sightline: the quarterly newsletter for Inspectors
• Sightline Express: the monthly E-newsletter for Inspectors. Please email inspectors@forestfoundation.org to receive Sightline Express!

Contacts

• State Tree Farm Programs
• ATFS National Staff

Recognition

For more information, email operations@forestfoundation.org

• Hard Hat Award recognizes inspecting foresters who reached certification landmarks in their career with ATFS
  • Bronze: Inspectors who have certified 25 new Tree Farms
  • Silver: Inspectors who have certified 50 new Tree Farms
  • Gold: Inspectors who have certified 100 new Tree Fams
• Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year recognizes Tree Farmers that have done an exceptional job of forest management on their properties and an exceptional job of promoting sustainable forestry
  • Outstanding State Tree Farmer of the Year Nomination Form 
  • Past National and Regional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year awardees
• Inspector of the Year recognizes inspecting foresters with high activity over the past year, as well as activity in outreach and education
  • Inspector of the Year Guidelines
    
    
    

Stumped? Get your questions answered!