Standards of Sustainability for Tree Farm Certification Revised
Last December, the American Forest Foundation’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved modifications to the 1997 Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification. This approval completed the 18-month, independent third party and public review process, and set into motion the implementation of these new standards in 2004. The adopted standard modifications cover such areas as management of special sites, operations aesthetics, water quality, biodiversity, and seeking qualified professional forest contractors.
The third party review was conducted by an independent panel of representatives from a cross section of forestry community leaders. Panel members represented academia, environmental non-government organizations (ENGOs), forest industry, forest owners, professional logging community, and public forestry agencies serving family forest owners. The panel reached consensus on all standards, performance measures, and indicators recommended to the AFF Trustees.
While reviewing the standard, panel members were asked to determine if the AFF Standards of Sustainability reflect the criterion of the Montreal Process. Additionally during the process, panelists were also asked to keep in mind that any recommended modifications to the standard were both appropriate and adequate for the size and scale of the forest operations taking place on small family forests in the United States.
Following a consensus of modification to the standard, the resulting document was made available for a 60-day public comment period. More than 670 “Invitations to Comment” were mailed to a diverse array of members including ATFS state committee leaders, public forestry agencies, ATFS co-sponsoring organizations, ENGOs, forest industry, forest products buyers/distributors, and forestry organizations. Invitees were directed to the AFF website where they found the document and all pertinent information for making comments. The panel reviewed all comments, adopting many in part or in whole. The new standard will be reviewed every four years, with implementation of any modifications to follow one year later.
The new Standards of Sustainability will take effect in 2004, making it necessary to promptly prepare Tree Farmers due for reinspection and Tree Farm Inspectors that plan to conduct these reinspections. Throughout 2003, national staff will be developing an online refresher training course for previously trained foresters, in addition to updating the curriculum for new inspector training workshops. ATFS will also reach out to the broader landowner community and the forestry profession to make them aware of what will be required to achieve and/or maintain Tree Farm certification.
