ATFS Recognizes Andrew Fast with 2013 National Leadership Award
February 20, 2013
Certified
Tree Farmer, Inspector Has Been Instrumental in
Increasing Forest Stewardship in New Hampshire
PHILADELPHIA—Andrew (“Andy”) Fast of the New Hampshire Tree Farm Committee is the recipient of the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) 2013 National Leadership Award.
The ATFS National Leadership Award was established to recognize the efforts of extraordinary Tree Farm volunteers who have been instrumental in accomplishing Tree Farm reinspections, motivating volunteers, and educating landowners.
Fast served as Chair of the New Hampshire Tree Farm Program in 2011 and 2012; secretary of the New England Society of American Foresters Executive Committee; and is a regular volunteer with New Hampshire Project Learning Tree®. Fast is an extension field specialist in forestry for UNH Cooperative Extension.
“Andy Fast exemplifies what it means to be a leader in the Tree Farm program. He’s an advocate for certified Tree Farmers and provides assistance to landowners and other inspectors. Whether it’s a one-on-one visit, or organizing successful field days, or volunteering even more of his time to serve on important strategic planning committees to help us chart the future of Tree Farm, Andy has stepped up and made a difference,” said Bettina Ring, Senior Vice President for Family Forests with the American Forest Foundation.
In 2012, Fast was recognized as the Northeast Region Inspector of the Year for his efforts to help landowners across New Hampshire improve their forest stewardship.
“Andy, a Certified Tree Farm owner himself, has over the past two years alone met with more than 160 private landowners to provide forest management recommendations and information to help them care for their land,” said Wendy Scribner, Extension Field Specialist with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension in Carroll County.
“His leadership qualities and communication skills have been a key ingredient for the continued success of the New Hampshire Tree Farm program,” added Scribner.
Fast also conducts forestry days and wildlife walks in his own community. He has organized events for school groups, including schools in the towns of Barrington, Derry and Meredith, through the New Hampshire Project Learning Tree’s Walk in the Forest Program.
“I am truly grateful for this honor and recognition. Nationally, the American Tree Farm System plays such an important and critical role, promoting stewardship on private lands and advocating for forest landowners. The recognition holds even greater importance considering the Tree Farm Program’s rich legacy in New Hampshire and its contribution to healthy forests and our communities’ resource based economies,” Fast said.
In front of more than 130 ATFS committee representatives from all across the country, Fast was presented today with a plaque, monogrammed ATFS jacket, and $150 Cabela’s gift card.
Contact: Amanda Cooke at acooke@forestfoundation.org or 202-463-2731.
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The American Tree Farm System® is a network of 89,000 family forest owners sustainably managing 27 million acres of forestland. It is the largest and oldest sustainable woodland system in the United States, internationally recognized, meeting strict third-party certification standards. The American Tree Farm System® is a program of the American Forest Foundation. Learn more at www.treefarmsystem.org.
Photo of awardee Andy Fast and Bettina Ring by MacKenzie Rawcliffe.
