American Tree Farm System
The American Tree Farm System is a forest certification program for private woodland owners. To participate, landowners must commit to upholding the Standards of Sustainability and demonstrate their commitment to long-term sustainable forest management by having and implementing a written forest management plan.
ATFS Standard 1, Performance Measure 1.1:
Landowner shall have and implement a written forest-management plan consistent with the size of the forest and the scale and intensity of the forest activities.
A qualifying forest management plan includes the following information:
- Landowner goals and objectives
- Description of the current condition and health of the forest
- Management prescriptions
- Soils
- Water resources
- Wood and fiber production
- Threatened and endangered species
- Special sites
- Invasive species
- Forests of Recognized Importance
- Tract map
Additional topics that may be addressed in a management plan but are not required include:
- Fire
- Desired species
- Aesthetics
- Recreation
- Wetlands
- Biomass and carbon
Use the American Tree Farm System’s forest management plan addendum to ensure that your management plan meets the 2021 Standards of Sustainability.