The
American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is a national program of the
American Forest Foundation that recognizes private forest landowners who manage their land under a certified sustainable forest management plan. ATFS is the largest and oldest sustainable family woodland certification system in the United States, with more than 19 million acres and 73,000 family forest owners enrolled across 46 states. In Maryland,110,000 acres are currently enrolled in the program.
Membership in ATFS is free. Certified Tree Farmers meet third-party
Standards of Sustainability covering sustainable forestry practices, legal compliance, reforestation and afforestation, water and soil protection, fish and wildlife conservation, biodiversity, forest aesthetics, special site protection, and management plan-based timber harvest.
Who Qualifies
A landowner qualifies for the Tree Farm program by meeting two criteria:
- Ownership of 10 or more acres of forested land.
- A written and implemented forest management plan addressing forest products, water quality, wildlife habitat, soil conservation, biodiversity, and recreation opportunities.
Properties meeting these criteria are eligible for inspection by a certified ATFS volunteer forester. The State Tree Farm Committee certifies qualifying properties upon successful inspection.
Program Benefits
Membership is free. Certified Tree Farmers receive:
- Third-party sustainable forest certification
- Periodic consultations with a certified professional forester at no cost
- Legislative updates and advocacy resources on issues affecting forest landowners
- Eligibility for the National Tree Farmer of the Year and Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year recognition programs
- Right to display the ATFS sign and certificate
- Access to
Maryland-specific resources through the ATFS website
Getting Started
Contact your local
Maryland Forest Service office to determine whether your property qualifies and to arrange a free inspection with a certified forester in your area.
For cost-share assistance through USDA programs including EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) and ACEP (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program), contact your
local USDA-NRCS office.
For Maryland Tree Farm news, events, and program information, visit the
Maryland Tree Farm Committee page on the ATFS website.
Contact
Robert Feldt
Forest Resources Planning Supervisor
Maryland Forest Service
Department of Natural Resources
2 S. Bond Street, Suite 101
Bel Air, MD 21014
410-836-4571 (office)
[email protected]
