Alabama Forest Stewardship Meets AFF Standards
Linda Casey, Alabama’s state forester said that the ATFS recognition of Forest Stewardship Plans will expedite the process for Alabama landowners interested in being Tree Farm certified. Also landowners will have the opportunity for third-party certification, a requirement for emerging markets such as biomass energy and carbon sequestration.
This will also provide some additional opportunities for landowners seeking affordable certification of their forest management.
Alabama’s Forest Stewardship program is a primary tool to assist landowners in the management of their property. Under the Stewardship program, over 4,000 landowners were assisted in 2008 positively impacting 316,000 acres. Forest Stewardship plans are a main component of the program and are available to qualifying landowners without charge by contacting the Alabama Forestry Commission. As many as 1,700 Alabama forest landowners with nearly 1.5 million acres will benefit from this agreement.
