The American Tree Farm System Honors 2023 Regional Inspectors & Awards National Inspector of the Year
The four regional inspectors of the year accepting their awards. Left to Right: Luke Marcek (Maryland), Jan Bernu (Minnesota), David Hibbs (Oregon) and Cathy Hardin (Florida).
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 10, 2023) – The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is pleased to announce the 2023 Regional Inspectors and National Inspector of the Year (IOTY). Each year, state programs nominate extraordinary inspectors who are evaluated by current ATFS staff based on their accomplishments and activities. We are thrilled to congratulate Luke Marcek of Maryland, Cathy Hardin of Florida, and David Hibbs of Oregon as 2023 Regional IOTYs, and we are honored to present Jan Bernu of Minnesota as the 2023 National IOTY.
As 2023 National Inspector of the Year, Jan is being recognized for the values she lives each and every day. From her nomination: “Jan’s enthusiasm and passion impacts landowners beyond Tree Farms. Jan was instrumental in founding the Minnesota Women’s Woodland Network and serves on its board of directors. She is a member of, and active in, the Minnesota Forestry Association and National Woodland Owners Association. She has been active with Minnesota State Tree Farm Program for 41 years. Without fail, committee members look to Jan for her ideas and her energy. Anyone who meets Jan can’t help but be inspired by her typical parting thoughts, ‘I hope that I’ve left my little corner of the world a better place – one tree and forest at a time.’”
All four regional finalists received an American Tree Farm System branded fleece vest and a plaque at the National Leadership Conference. The National IOTY received an American Tree Farm System branded jacket, a plaque, and additional branded gifts at the National Leadership Conference.
For more information about the American Tree Farm System, contact Angela Wells at awells@forestfoundation.org
# # #
About the American Forest Foundation
The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a forest conservation organization, works exclusively to empower family forest owners to make a meaningful conservation impact. We work across a broad coalition of conservation partners, corporations, and policymakers to empower family forest landowners and make sure everybody understands, supports and values the work of these landowners.
Learn more: forestfoundation.org.
About the American Tree Farm System
The American Tree Farm System® is a network of over 70,000 landowners sustainably managing more than 18.9 million acres of forestland. ATFS is the largest and oldest sustainable woodland program in the United States, internationally recognized, meeting strict third-party certification standards. The American Tree Farm System® is a program of the American Forest Foundation, a national forest conservation organization that works on the ground with families, partners and elected officials to promote stewardship for healthier forests.
Related Articles
March 13, 2023
Late Arkansan Recognized for Leadership and Contributions to Forestry Community
The American Forest Foundation’s American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) has announced the posthumous recognition of Jennifer Lambert Johnson of Little Rock, Arkansas as the 2023 National Leadership Award recipient.
March 27, 2025
Statement: Disaster Reforestation Act Will Help Family Forest Owners Recover
Currently, family forest owners cannot recoup the value of their timber lost in natural disasters, making it that much harder for these owners to reinvest in the recovery of their forest. The Disaster Reforestation Act aims to fix this by amending the tax code to allow forest owners to deduct the market value of their timber destroyed by natural disasters.
February 27, 2025
Statement: AFF Applauds Appointment of Tom Schultz as Chief of United States Forest Service
AFF congratulates Tom Schultz on his appointment as the 21st Chief of the United States Forest Service. Tom brings a wealth of public and private land management experience to this role. We look forward to working with Tom to unlock markets and champion economic opportunities for rural families and communities while conserving our working lands.