As many in the Maine Tree Farm community have noticed, the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has announced the 2021 Standards of Sustainability.
According to ATFS, the new Standards “were approved by AFF’s Board of Trustees on November 11th, 2020, and enacted January 1, 2021. These new Standards, which serve as the basis of the American Tree Farm System® certification program, will replace the 2015-2020 Standards of Sustainability. Adoption of the new Standards will take place throughout 2021.”
Inspecting Forester Training
With the new Standards, all Inspecting Foresters will need to participate in an inspector training to begin completing inspections to the new Standards. Trainings are scheduled online for March 1, 2021 (11:00 am- 3:00 pm) and March 5, 2021 (9:30 am -1:30 pm). Click on the date and time to register. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
Additional online training formats are to be released by AFF later this spring. Depending on need, we will still conduct local training for inspectors. An important note: Once an Inspecting Forester is trained to the new standard, the credential remains in effect for the life of the Standard, meaning foresters will only need to take the training once.
2021 Required Inspections
The Maine Tree Farm Committee must complete 43 Required Inspections in 2021. If you are a Tree Farmer on the list, you will be contacted by the Committee to arrange your inspection.
The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) was founded in 1941 and is now the oldest and largest forest conservation, certification, and advocacy program in the United States. The first two Tree Farms in Maine were dedicated in 1952, and today, over 1,400 family forest owners are part of the Maine Tree Farm System.
The American Tree Farm System is a program for woodland owners committed to sustainably managing their woods for wood, water, wildlife, and recreation. Maine Tree Farm receives direction from a volunteer Committee of dedicated Forestry Professionals and Tree Farmers.
