Family Forest Blog
September 3, 2019
How Different Landowners are Benefiting from the Landscape Management Plan
While family forest owners own land for a variety of reasons and have different stories to tell about their ownerships, they all care about their land and want to do the right thing. However, many also face challenges that keep them from stewardship. They struggle with knowledge and expertise on forest management, cost, and general awareness of the resources available to them. One of the most significant barriers to stewardship is not having a forest management plan.
August 22, 2019
American Forest Foundation Announces Intent to Revise ATFS Standards of Sustainability
Today, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) announced it itends to initiate the revision process for its Standards of Sustainability (Standards) for Forest Certification for the American Tree Farm System(ATFS) program. ATFS, a program of AFF, is internationally endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which connects the extensive network of small family-owned forests to markets around the world.
August 19, 2019
New Tool Helps Alabama Landowners Do More on Their Land
Brinley and Martha Hocutt of Alabama can trace the ownership of the land back to the Civil War. They wanted to make sure that they were doing everything possible to ensure the health of their woodlands. With the help of AFF's Landscape Management Plan tool, they have become members of the Tree Farm program and are doing more to reach their management goals.
July 24, 2019
Forest Owners in Alabama, Maryland, Missouri and Washington Named Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers
Today, the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) announced four Tree Farmer families from among more than 70,000 certified Tree Farmers as this year’s Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. They are Stan and Suzanne Wood of Bremen, Alabama; Bill and Tina Buckel of Bittinger, Maryland; Mike Trial of Columbia, Missouri; and David and Dar New of Bellingham, Washington.
June 11, 2019
AFF Coordinators are on Board to Support America’s Family Forest Owners
Family forest owners are passionate about their land, but many landowners face barriers – such as cost, awareness, technical expertise and more – that prevent them from actively managing their woodlands. To make sure that these landowners get the help they need, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) is investing in staff to support partners and landowners in creating healthy, more resilient forests.
June 4, 2019
AFF Thanks Congress for Passage of a Disaster Aid Package
AFF applauds Congress on the passage of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act (H.R. 2157), a package to help forest owners, farmers and other Americans recover from last year’s hurricanes, wildfires and natural disasters.
June 3, 2019
A Forester's Perspective on the Landscape Management Plan
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) introduced a new approach to forest management plans, the landscape management plan to streamline the onboarding and American Tree Farm System certification process for both foresters and landowners. Hear directly from Florida Forest Service forester Greg Marshall on this new tool and how it's helping foresters spend more time with landowners.
May 28, 2019
American Forest Foundation Brings WoodsCamp to California, Accelerating Wildfire Risk Reduction
To help more California landowners access the funding and technical assistance to reduce wildfire risk and make their forestland more resilient, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) today announced release of the WoodsCamp online tool in California. The online tool gives family forest owners critically important data, resources, and access to expert advice that can improve land health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
May 28, 2019
AFF Applauds the Introduction of the Forest Recovery Act in the Senate
AFF applauds Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Marco Rubio of Florida for the introduction and support of the Forestry Recovery Act (S. 1687).
May 20, 2019
Past, Present, and Future in the American Tree Farm System
Recently the American Forest Foundation (AFF) welcomed Angela Wells as the new Western Regional Tree Farm Manager. Having grown up on a certified Tree Farm, Angela has developed a deep personal connection with the program. This connection with the program is exactly what made her the perfect addition to our team.
May 20, 2019
AFF Statement on Washington’s Shared Stewardship Agreement with Forest Service
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) applauds the recent signing of a Shared Stewardship Memorandum of Understanding, which formalizes a partnership with Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Fish and Wildlife and the United States Forest Service to support shared goals and existing plans to address forest health, which is a cornerstone of reducing wildfires and providing wildlife habitat and clean water.
May 13, 2019
Advocating for Healthy Forests
On April 30, 48 Tree Farmers from 20 states across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate on behalf of family forest owners around the nation. Participants received an in-depth briefing from staff on federal policy issues that impact family forests and were taught strategies for being an effective advocate and then went off to Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives.
April 20, 2019
Forest Owner Hardships After Hurricane Michael
After disasters strike, such as hurricanes and wildfires, family forest owners not only need to rebuild their homes and lives but their forests as well. However, the destruction caused by these events is often too extreme and the costs too high for many landowners to handle on their own. They need outside support and access to resources to help restore their forests. Take, for example, Alison and Jim Browne.
April 10, 2019
Tyler’s Tips for Tortoises
Gopher Tortoises are ecosystem engineers across the Southeastern United States. So much so that April 10th is dedicated to celebrating their importance! Tyler Sibley from the Alabama Forestry Association put together ten tips to make Gopher Tortoises feel at home in your forest.
April 1, 2019
FourTee Acres: Connecting the Generations
Tyrone Williams squinted into the sun as he looked toward the newly planted tract of loblolly pines on his 62-acre property in Enfield, North Carolina. The air was fragrant with the trees’ scent. He thought about his ancestors and how they surely stood in this very same spot.