Spotlight: Updating Landowners to the New Standards of Sustainability
Beginning January 1, 2011, all Tree Farm inspections (initial, required sample inspections, and optional five-year inspections) must be conducted using the 2010-2015 Standards. Below are some case studies to help you explain to landowners how to implement the new Standards on their lands now so that they are ready for 2011.
Case Study: What would you do?
Mrs. Pinecone has researched threatened and endangered species found around her Tree Farm using the Woodland Owners Resource on the Tree Farm website. She visited the websites for a few of the tools listed on the Woodlands Owners Resource for her state and contacted her local service forester for additional information on possible threatened or endangered species occurrences on her property. Inspector Bob noted that Mrs. Pinecone has made a handwritten note in her management plan that lists out her research sources and that no threatened or endangered species have been observed on her property. With this note, Inspector Bob feels comfortable re-certifying Mrs. Pinecone’s Tree Farm under the new 2010 Standards.
Case Study: What would you do?
Landowner Angus recently walked through a stand on his Tree Farm that he had not visited in a while. On his walk, Angus discovered that he has a wisteria problem (an aggressive invasive found from Maine to Florida in this particular stand. Not sure about what method will work best to treat the stand and protect his trees, Angus talked to his neighbors about the various ways they have treated wisteria and called his consulting forester to check the options that he would recommend. Angus has decided to use an approved herbicide on the stumps after cutting down the vines as it will be the most cost efficient and effective treatment of all the available tools. Angus has updated the description of the stand in his management plan with a brief note about the wisteria problem and how he has chosen to tackle the issue. During his next inspection, the inspector sees the note and talks with Angus about how he decided upon the treatment method he chose and correctly decides that Angus has met the requirement of the Standards to use integrated pest management to evaluate treatments for pests and invasive species and has updated his management plan appropriately.
If you have any questions about the AFF Standards and ATFS program requirements, please visit www.treefarmsystem.org/certification
