How To Register A Tree Farm

Tree Farm Organization in Maryland

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What is the Tree Subcontract Program?

The American Tree Farm Organization® (ATFS) is a national program of the American Wood Foundation. It is committed to sustaining forests, watershed and good for you habitats through the power of individual stewardship. ATFS is the largest and oldest sustainable family woodland organization in America, meeting strict third-political party certification standards.

Since 1941, ATFS has educated and recognized the commitment of private forest owners in the U.s.. Currently, ATFS has 19 meg acres of privately owned forestland and 73,000 family unit forest owners who are committed to excellence in wood stewardship, in 46 states. In Maryland there are currently 964 Tree Farmers (757 certified), with almost 110,000 acres in the programme.

Certified Tree Farm Sign Tree Farmers share a unique commitment to protect wildlife habitat and watersheds, to conserve soil and to provide recreation for their communities while producing wood for America and the world. These individuals hold the key to the kinds of forests, wood activities and forest resources future generations of Americans will savor.

ATFS has established standards and guidelines for belongings owners to meet to get a certified Tree Farm. Under these standards and guidelines private woods landowners must have a management plan developed for their wood lot and visit with an ATFS certified volunteer tree farm inspector on a five year cycle.

Water. Wildlife. Recreation. Forest. The iv sides of the Tree Farm sign tell the story of sustainable forestry … a thriving forestland that has clean water, a healthy wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Our light-green and white diamond shaped Tree Farm signs are widely recognized across the state.

Who qualifies?

There are two primary items that are considered when determining whether a forest landowner qualifies for the Tree Farm program.

Beginning, the landowner must ain 10 or more acres of forested land.
Second, they must have a written and implemented forest management plan that accounts for the production of forest products, water quality, wild fauna habitat, soil conservation, biodiversity, and recreation opportunities.

The Tree Farm must also meet certain minimum standards and guidelines known equally the Standards of Sustainability.

A Commitment to Practicing Sustainable Forestry
Compliance with Laws
Reforestation and Afforestation
Air, H2o and Soil Protection
Fish, Wildlife and Biodiversity conservation
Forest Aesthetics valued
Protect Special Sites
Forest Product Harvests are conducted according to a management plan

By coming together the "Standards of Sustainability" the State Tree Subcontract Committee volition certify your wood lot as a sustainably managed Tree Subcontract.

Program Benefits

There is no price for ATFS membership.

A landowner only has to meet the qualifications mentioned to a higher place. There are many benefits and resource associated with membership in the Tree Farm system.

Professional person sustainable forest certification
Information and updates on legislative issues affecting woods landowners
Participation in the National Tree Farmer of the Yr contest
Right to display Tree Farm sign and certificate
Family Wood Action Alerts: https://www.treefarmsystem.org/accept-action
Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Awards: https://www.treefarmsystem.org/awards-and-recognition
Withal, the greatest benefit to landowners is the opportunity to meet and hash out forest management opportunities with a certified professional forester for free on a periodic basis.

Getting Started

If you would similar to learn if your property qualifies as a Tree Farm or if you would merely like more information follow up through the Contact resources listed below. If you meet the criteria, a costless inspection of your land can exist arranged by contacting a certified inspecting forester in your expanse. A listing of certified foresters volition be provided. You lot can as well visit the American Tree Subcontract System spider web site for information on the plan.

Yous may be interested in getting started by learning more about the Woodland Resource available to yous and MyLand Programme, a resource made available through the American Forest Foundation for woodland owners, by woodland owners.

Contacts

Your next step is to contact your local Maryland Woods Service office.

For information regarding the FIP and EQIP price share programs, contact your local USDA-NRCS office.

For Maryland Tree Farm news and other information, visit the Maryland Tree Farm Committee webpage

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