American Forest Foundation Receives Dutch Sustainability Recognition for Family Forest Owners
ATFS Certification first forest management standard approved for Dutch biomass sustainability verification
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 9, 2018) – The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a leading conservation organization that helps America’s family forest owners care for their land, today announced that their American Tree Farm System (ATFS) certification has been formally approved by the Dutch Ministry of Economy and Climate to verify elements of their sustainability requirements for biomass.
“This is a significant milestone in opening up new markets for the millions of families and individuals who own and care for the largest portion of U.S. forests, a total of 270 million acres of private land. The recognition of the ATFS standard is also a recognition of family forest owners’ commitment to responsible stewardship,” said Tom Martin, CEO of AFF. According to Zion Market Research, the global biomass pellet market is expected to reach $15.9 billion by 2022.
The ATFS certification, managed by AFF, recognizes more than 73,000 family forest owners who are sustainably managing more than 19 million acres across the U.S. to protect clean water, improve wildlife habitat and increase the supply of sustainably produced, third-party certified wood. It is the only certification system designed specifically for small, private landowners. Fiber certified to ATFS is also recognized by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™), providing family forest owners access to international markets.
“We’re pleased to have the approval and recognition that ATFS addresses key on-the-ground management requirements that apply to family woodlands within the Dutch criteria. Currently no other certification system is recognized by the Dutch government for biomass for energy applications,” said Sarah Crow, Senior Director of Sustainability Solutions for AFF.
The recognition also encourages the ongoing work of AFF with the Dutch Biomass Certification (DBC) Foundation, which aims to promote and accomplish certification of small forest owners in North America. Peter-Paul Schouwenberg, Chairman of the DBC Board, welcomes the recognition of ATFS noting, “the recognition is an important step in enabling continuation of the collaboration we have started with AFF this year.”
AFF brings together landowners, partners, policymakers, and corporations to tackle conservation issues through on-the-ground work across the United States. “We are uniquely focused on empowering family forest owners. These passionate stewards are the key to reaching meaningful impact on wildlife and habitat, so we need to offer new opportunities that support their efforts. We’ve seen that markets can be a strong driver to advance conservation outcomes—the ATFS certification and its network of landowners is the ideal system to deliver on that,” said Martin.
For more details on this recognition, read the formal statement from the Dutch government.
In English, https://english.rvo.nl/subsidies-programmes/sde/sustainability-criteria
Contact: Caryn Stein, cstein@forestfoundation.org, 202-751-2447
About the American Forest Foundation
The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a forest conservation organization, works on the ground with families, partners and elected officials to promote stewardship and protect our nation’s forest heritage. A commitment to the next generation unites our nationwide network of forest owners working to keep our forests healthy and producing the clean water, wildlife habitat and sustainable wood supplies that all Americans count on from forests.
Related Articles
October 9, 2026
Meet The 2026 Western Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year: The Kesterson Family
For six generations, the Kesterson family has built their life along Oregon’s Umpqua River. It started 1908, when Charles Franklin Kesterson purchased 300 acres near Elkton, and now has grown into a 2,200-acre family operation that balances forestry, ranching, and recreation.
October 5, 2026
Meet the 2026 Northeast Regional Tree Farmers of the Year: Gerry and Karen Hawkes
For Gerry Hawkes, a life in the woods was decided at an early age. Growing up on his family’s farm in Vermont, working alongside his grandfather and uncles in the woods and at the sawmill, by seventh grade, he knew he wanted to become a forester.
October 2, 2026
Meet the 2026 North Central Regional Tree Farmers of the Year: Jerry and Portia Brown
For Jerry and Portia Brown, Tree Farming is a family tradition that stretches back seven decades.