Cooperative Forest Management Committee Meeting May 17, 2012

1. Cooperative Forest Management Committee Meeting May 17, 2012 Paul Trianosky, Interim Vice President of Family Forests American Forest Foundation

2. Tree Farm Standards and Certification • ATFS is the largest and oldest sustainable woodlands system in America • Over 89,000 certified forest properties • More than 27 million acres in 44 states

3. Tree Farm Standards and Certification • ATFS standards have been recognized by SFI since 2000 • Internationally recognized by PEFC since 2008 • Eight Standards of Certification • Revised in 2004, and again in 2010 (anticipate another revision in 2015) • www.treefarmsystem.org • System of 4,500 volunteers, including 3,600 Tree Farm Inspecting Foresters

4. Tree Farm Standards and Certification

5. Tree Farm Standards and Certification • Note that the ATFS MOU with USDA Forest Service and NRCS specifies that Stewardship plans may be recognized as meeting ATFS Standards • ATFS Certification may therefore serve as an additional recognition opportunity toward meeting State Stewardship goals

6. Tree Farm Standards and Certification – Audits • Trend across all regions for missing elements in management plans • Eg. T&E Species, Special Sites, HCVF • Sometimes missing management plans • Auditors have noted generally good management practices, particularly in relation to SMZ’s and native species restoration • Also good notes about management of historic sites

7. Tree Farm Standards and Certification • Increasing global demand for PEFC wood • Working with SFI in Maine and Alabama to increase outlets and tracking of ATFS certified wood • Possible projects brewing in concert with forest products sector in a number of places nationwide • No premiums… yet.

8. Management Plan Template • Developed by ATFS, NRCS and the U.S. Forest Service, with input from state foresters and other partners • Allows landowners to use one management plan for the American Tree Farm System, the Forest Stewardship Program, and the NRCS incentive programs. • Not a program requirement for any of the three programs – just a tool

9. Management Plan Template • Tree Farm programs, state foresters and NRCS can jointly review and adapt the template for use in their state. • No additional approval is required, provided that all components of the national template are retained • States are encouraged to add their own state-specific requirements, programs and resources

10. Management Plan Template • To implement the template, State Tree Farm committee, state forester and state conservationist develop a process for landowners to apply for the programs. • Examples already developed include: • A review panel to approve plans for all three programs (with representatives from each entity) • One person identified by the state who can approve plans for all three programs.

11. Landowner Engagement Strategy Some History – CNPS Report in 2010: • Shrinking volunteer corps: about 5,000, compared with 14,000 on the rolls in 1994 • Switch to a formal, third-party audited certification program has added to their administrative burden. • Volunteers are being asked to do more logistical and administrative tasks

12. Landowner Engagement Strategy • ATFS lacks a distinct value proposition. • Certification has not translated to markets • ATFS's challenges are rooted in changing demographics and broad trends in the forestry sector. • A general decline in the forestry infrastructure has greatly diminished volunteer capacity in the sector.

13. Landowner Engagement Strategy CNPS Report Key Recommendations: • Develop strategies to reach woodland owners • not actively managing their woods • currently do not have an affiliation with AFF or ATFS • Strengthen and emphasize ATFS's value proposition • Strengthen ATFS’s volunteer infrastructure

14. Landowner Engagement Strategy Central Themes for Program Improvement • Professionalization of Service Delivery • Increase quality and effectiveness of Outreach and Education • Improve the long-term stability of ATFS at both the state and national level

15. Test States

16. Test State Activities • Development of Strategic Plans to guide program priorities • Institution of part-time paid adminstrator • Trial of dues structure & other revenue generating opportunities • Development of best practices around • Service delivery • Outreach and Education • Programs aimed at Inspecting foresters and other volunteers

17. Other LES Activities • Clemson developing curriculum materials for Landowner engagement • Partnership for Better Forests (with SAF) • Stakeholder Consultation Process • To reach down into the system for input and feedback • Minority Landowner Outreach Workshop • Pilot Projects in two states

18. Reaching Beyond Tree Farm Piney Woods

19. Online Member Resources • Broad effort to improve the quality and accessibility of resources for woodland owners • Intended to serve as a single clearinghouse for information (will eventually include links to partner sites as well) • MyLandPlan is targeted primarily toward less experienced woodland owners/managers

20. Online Member Resources • MyLandPlan: Create a profile, and gain access to the Land Plan tool • Map the boundaries of your land • Add features and special sites like trails, special trees and other favorite spots • Set goals and plan actions to protect and care for your land • Receive information specially tailored for what you want to do on your land • Record your actions and experiences in a personalized forest journal. Share them with others if you want.

21. Tree Farm Convention • June 14-16, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida • Visit www.treefarmsystem.org for more details!