Network News: Inspectors Archive

Stumped May 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: As an inspector, how often do I need to complete an inspection or take a refresher training course to stay active?

The Importance of Inspections

ATFS Inspectors are often the primary liaison between the ATFS program and landowners, offering guidance, support, and information about sustainable forest management. In many instances, a landowner’s positive experience with an ATFS Inspector leads to the recruitment of their neighbors, strengthening our network of stewardship across the country. 

Gratitude - Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month!

Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? During the month of April, we celebrate the work that volunteers like you do year-round to help the American Tree Farm System, and the landowners we all serve, achieve our goals of delivering measurable, positive impacts on clean water, abundant wildlife habitat, and wood supplies. 

Volunteer Highlight: Tom Westergeen

ATFS volunteers, inspectors, state committee members and Tree Farmers have been critical to the ATFS program’s success for more than 75 years. One of Washington’s many dedicated Tree Farm inspectors, Tom Westergreen, is no exception.

Don’t Lapse! Inspector Refresher Training Available Online

If your inspector credentials are going to expire soon, you may renew them for another 2 years by either completing an inspection on the ground or by taking the AFF Standards Online Refresher.

Stumped April 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How Can ATFS Inspectors and Tree Farmers be recognized for their outstanding work?

2017 NLC Recap

Last month, ATFS hosted the 2017 National Leadership Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. This annual leadership development conference brings together leaders, volunteers and partners of ATFS for three days of networking and information-sharing. The 2017 event hosted more than 215 guests, including more than 78 first-time attendees, and featured a robust agenda of engaging speakers. 

Assessment and Certification Update

At the NLC, we announced the 2018 Assessment states: Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Virginia. We look forward to working with these committees throughout the assessment process.

Stumped March 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are you taking advantage of the SAF CFEs that are available based on your involvement with ATFS?

Announcing the 2017 Regional Outstanding Inspectors of the Year

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) would not be where it is today without the hard work and dedication of a broad network of ATFS Inspectors working on the ground with landowners. Every year, we are proud to recognize a few of these outstanding volunteers who have gone above and beyond in helping landowners to achieve their goals. The Regional and National Inspector of the Year Award program begins every year with nominations from state Tree Farm programs. For the 2017 award, we received 15 nominations from the four regions, and today we are proud to announce the four 2017 Regional Outstanding Inspectors of the Year.

2017 Assessment Update

Last month, representatives from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and ATFS met for opening meetings with the state committees in Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, and South Carolina to begin the 2018 assessment process. 

Stumped February 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: In the database, what is the difference between inactive and archived status of inspectors?

New Year, New Focus On Inspections

On-the-ground inspections are a fundamental component of the American Tree Farm System’s (ATFS) success, and ATFS Inspectors are key to implementing this outreach to Tree Farmers. Regular communication and outreach is essential to maintaining relationships with all ATFS Tree Farmers, especially those who have not been engaged recently, to ensure that they are managing their forests to the ATFS Standards and upholding the integrity of the program. This outreach requires solid inspector engagement and assignment strategies, a thorough system-wide database clean-up combined with tailored intentional landowner communication to ensure the momentum created by the State’s Voice, State’s Choice initiative continues. 

New Inspector Engagement in 2017

In 2017, ATFS will launch pilot programs with 3-5 states to help us learn more about what approaches are most successful to increase the number of inspections done each year. Our goal is to have all active inspectors that are trained to the current standards complete at least two inspections per year. Of course, we know that many of you do way more than this, which is greatly appreciated; however, many inspectors are trained and never complete a single inspection.

Stumped January 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you have questions about completing or submitting the 004 inspection form?

Gratitude - Hats off to Our Inspectors!

December is a good month for reflection. As we think back over this past year, and the celebration of the 75^th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), we think of gratitude. Gratitude for all that you, the ATFS Inspectors, have accomplished this past year and in 75 years of support. Inspectors are a key component of the American Tree Farm System. You are the voice of ATFS on the ground and the direct link to our Tree Farmers. And each one of you has given enough to ensure the creation of a thousand forests in the next 75 years.

Introducing the New Inspection (004) Form Course

In addition to the online inspector training refresher available online in the ATFS Database, Inspectors can now access the newest learning module of the inspector training – the Inspection (004) Form. 

Congratulations to the 2016 National OTFY

Thank you to the Oregon Tree Farm Committee for nominating the Defrees family of northeast Oregon, who were recently named the 2016 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The Defrees family truly embodies what it means to be a champion for ATFS as well as an outstanding steward of the forest now and for the future generation.

Stumped November 2016

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I easily break up multiple Tree Farms in the ATFS Database?

Standard 8: Forest Product Harvests and Other Activities

When conducting forestry activities, landowners must ensure that their actions and those actions taken on their behalf are in conformance with both the landowner’s objectives and the ATFS Standards. In order to safeguard landowners from liability risks and protect their assets, we encourage landowners to work with qualified natural resource professionals and contractors and review the Standards before planning management activities. If the landowner’s objectives do not specify directives as to harvest, utilization and removals, then regional norms and accepted practices are expected