Network News: Inspectors Archive

ATFS Names Heather Wierzbicki Inspector of the Year

Heather Wierzbicki, of Phenix City, Ala,was named the 2004 National Tree FarmInspecting Forester of the Year and thewinner of the Wesley R. Meier Outstanding InspectingForester of the Year Award.

Nominate an ATFS Volunteer Inspector for the 2005 Tree Farm Inspector of the Year Contest

American Forest Foundation sponsors this annual award to recognize top performers among the thousands of Tree Farm inspecting foresters. Any inspecting forester can be nominated, provided the state chair approves the nomination. The nominee does not necessarily have to be the state's Inspector of the Year.

Tree Farm Certification Gaining Momentum

It's always nice to be recognized for a job well done. Following a decade of progress in strengthening and positioning ATFS as a certification program, the hard work has begun to pay off. ATFS continues to gain recognition as a credible certification alternative for family forest owners.

Congratulations to Jeffrey Brown and Austin Short

Jeffrey G. Brown, of Elgin, S.C., was honored with the 2005 National Field Leadership Award at the ATFS National Leadership Conference in San Antonio in March 2005. Delaware State Forester, Austin Short, was named the 2004 winner of the Sustained Excellence Award.

Not Trained Yet? What to do.

All Tree Farm Inspectors need to complete refresher training before conducting new inspections new inspections to the new AFF Standards that went into effect on July 1, 2004.The refresher training is just that – it is only intended for foresters who previously completed the full six-hour workshop covering all aspects of the Tree Farm program.

Backlog Elimination Strategy Phase 2: Properties Not Inspected in 6-9 years

Eliminating the reinspection backlog has been a priority for state Tree Farm committees in recent years.There are no longer any Tree Farms in ATFS that have not been inspected in more than 10 years. These properties were removed from the system at the beginning of the year(Phase One). Phase Two of the backlog elimination strategy is underway.

004 Form Extension

Transitioning to the new AFF Standards required several provisional steps be taken. One of these steps was changing the time when 004 Forms were distributed. 

Stumped Spring 2005

Answers to Inspectors' Most Frequently Asked questions

Question: I have completed all my assigned reinspections, what do I do now?

Question: What if I have suggestions for the national office?

Heritage Tree Farm Program

The Heritage Tree Farm Program, has been fully implemented into the American Tree Farm System. This program was developed to recognize industrial forestlands which participate in ATFS.

Stumped Fall 2004

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’ve read over the new Standards several times, and to me, it seems more rigorous than the old Standards. How am I supposed to tell Tree Farmers they aren’t doing a good enough job now when the last time they were inspected, they were doing fine?

The Tree Farm Inspection Record (004 Form)

The 2004 version of the 004 Form for Tree Farm inspections is now available. Although similar to the previous 004 Form in design, the new form includes a few notable changes.

Brown to Continue as ATFS Field Operations Director

The American Tree Farm System now has a national representative located in the field.  After nearly four years in the national office, Stephanie Brown has returned to Southern Illinois.  She will continue on a 70 percent appointment as Director of Field Operations for ATFS.

Congratulations to the 2003 Regional Inspectors of the Year

Join us in recognizing these individuals for their commitment to ATFS, their state committees,and to educating the public on the benefits of sustainable forestry. 

Stumped Spring 2004

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Heritage Tree Farm Program?

ATFS Group Certification

The ATFS Group Certification Program has successfully moved from its pilot phase and is now up and running. Activities are underway to market the program to potential forest landowner groups and to train professional foresters to become lead auditors for the program.

Coming Soon: The Re-designed 004 Form.

The 004 form gets a make-over witht he help of state committee members, inspectors and Tree Farmers.

Tree Farm Inspection Backlog Elimination Strategy – Reminder

The Fall 2002 edition of Sightline outlined the two phases of the backlog elimination strategy for the American Tree Farm System.

Standards of Sustainability for Tree Farm Certification Revised

Last December, the American Forest Foundation’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved modifications to the 1997 Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification.  This approval completed the 18-month, independent third party and public review process, and set into motion the implementation of these new standards in 2004.  The adopted standard modifications cover such areas as management of special sites, operations aesthetics, water quality, biodiversity, and seeking qualified professional forest contractors. 

Gary Beyer - 2002 National Tree Farm Inspector

Gary Beyer, of Charles City, Iowa, was the recipient of the 2002 Wesley R. Meier Outstanding Inspecting Forester of the Year Award.  Beyer received his award during the National Tree Farmer Convention that was held last fall in Asheville, North Carolina.

An important note from the ATFS National Operating Committee

For the past three years the National Operating Committee (NOC) has closely monitored the increasing backlog of reinspections occurring within many states.  Reasons for the backlog are not lost on the NOC – significant downsizing in the forest industry, severe cuts in state forestry agency personnel and shifting priorities – all have contributed to our current situation.