2008 National Tree Farm Leadership Conference Met in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
The annual two and a half day meeting of ATFS volunteers provides the opportunity for volunteers, leaders, and staff to discuss issues, trends, and new policies that may impact the program at the state and local level in upcoming years
An annual highlight of this conference is the announcement of the Field Leadership Award. On Thursday, Brian Johnsen of Weare New Hampshire was recognized during a celebratory luncheon. The Tree Farm Field Leadership Award recognizes individuals that have been instrumental in inspecting family forestland and its adherence to AFF’s Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification across a region or state. It highlights the efforts of key Tree Farm committee volunteers for the role they plain accomplishing the ATFS goal of sustaining forests, watersheds, and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship. As the new chair of the New Hampshire Tree Farm committee in 2006, and through the duration of his two year chairmanship, Johnsen re-energized his inspector core and took the time to acknowledge and thank them in the regular newsletters he began publishing. A licensed forester in three states, he advocates the benefits of the Tree Farm program and sustainable forestry whenever he has an opportunity. His communication skills, his candor, and genuine concerns for the New Hampshire committee and the Tree Farm program have gained him a great deal of respect in the forestry community.
During the conference, AFF provided an overview of its new strategic plan and future organizational structure. Beginning in 2008, AFF will operate under three centers: the Center for Conservation Solutions, Center for Environmental Learning, and the Center for Family Forests. ATFS will reside within the Center for Family Forests.
On Friday, ATFS welcomed guest speaker Mark Rey, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources in the Environment. Rey is the senior official for conservation on private lands. USDA began this Farm Bill by collecting comments from the State Technical Committees and by traveling across the country to gather comments from county commissions, landowners, local agencies, etc. The Farm Bill the USDA put forward to Congress last January was a reflection of comments gathered from around the country. The message was clear; those who speak out have a greater chance of being heard, even at the county level
