Standards of Sustainability Guidance

Tune Up Your Tree Farm Inspector Skills. In this webinar, two seasoned Tree Farm inspectors will teach you how to properly fill out an inspection form and will provide specific guidance on each of the eight certification standards. This webinar is for trained inspectors who want additional support on how to produce inspection reports correctly the first time.

Follow the links below for additional guidance on writing a forest management plan and filling out an inspection report for the American Tree Farm System Standards of Sustainability.

 

Pages 1 and 2 of the Inspection Form

The first page and a half of the Tree Farm Inspection Record is where the inspector records information about the landowner, the property and the inspection process. Follow the link below for guidance on filling out this section of the inspection report.

Guidance for Pages 1 and 2

Standard 1: Commitment to Practicing Sustainable Forestry

Landowner demonstrates commitment to forest health and sustainability by developing a forest management plan, implementing sustainable practices and seeking opportunities to expand their knowledge and understanding of sustainable forest management.

Guidance for Standard 1

Standard 2: Compliance With Laws

Forest management activities comply with all relevant federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances.

Guidance for Standard 2

Standard 3: Reforestation and Afforestation

Landowner completes timely restocking of desired species of trees on a regeneration harvest site and nonstocked areas where tree growing is consistent with land use practices and the landowner’s objectives.

Guidance for Standard 3

Standard 4: Air, Water and Soil Protection

Forest management practices maintain or enhance the ecosystems and ecosystem services provided by the forest, including air, water, soil and site quality.

Guidance for Standard 4

Standard 5: Fish, Wildlife, Biodiversity and Forest Health

Forest management activities contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.

Guidance for Standard 5

Standard 6: Forest Aesthetics

Forest management activities recognize the value of forest aesthetics.

Guidance for Standard 6

Standard 7: Protect Special Sites

Special sties are managed in ways that recognize their unique historical, archeological cultural, geological, biological or ecological characteristics.

Guidance for Standard 7

Standard 8: Forest Product Harvests and Other Activities

Forest product harvests and other management activities are conducted in accordance with the landowner’s objectives and consider other forest values.

Guidance for Standard 8