Introducing American Tree Farm System and the Standards of Sustainability. Sarah Crow Senior Director of Certification, ATFS March 14, 2015

Transcription

1 Introducing American Tree Farm System and the Standards of Sustainability Sarah Crow Senior Director of Certification, ATFS March 14, 2015

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3 Area of US Forests, By Ownership National Woodland Owners Survey,

4 By the Numbers 22 million individuals 284 million acres Largest ownership group More than the federal government More than the forest industry

5 Why is your forest important? Photo by Mike McDowell

6 Private Forests, Public Benefits 6

7 Water A significant concern for all citizens ½ million acres of family forests in direct headwaters 14 million acres border streams

8 Wildlife Habitat 78 million acres of "core" wildlife habitat Over 14,000 T&E species Roughly the are of New Mexico

9 Recreation 34 million Acres, Equivalent to size of Pennsylvania

10 Carbon Estimated 14 billion tons in family forests

11 How much is that? 14 BILLION tons = Over 13,000 coal plants = 23x more than in operation

12 Wood & Fiber Supplies In excess of 1.1 TRILLION Board Feet!

13 Enough to Build 37 Million Homes

14 Biomass Enormous Resource 358 Billion Cubic Feet

15 Energy for 67 Million Households

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18 On the Ground

19 Future

20 Tools

21 What s behind the sign?

22 Introducing American Tree Farm System Standards of Sustainability

23 ATFS, The Family Standard 8 Forest Management Standards Globally Relevant Size, Scale and Intensity Family Landowner Centric 23

24 How We Use the ATFS Standards? Tool to Support Stewardship Benchmark for Tree Farms under ATFS

25 Who uses these Standards?

26 Recent Review Process

27 What Was Revised? Core Frameworks ATFS Standards of Sustainability Accompanying Elements ATFS Eligibility Training Programs Management Plan Addendum Standards Publications

28 Why Review The Standards? Incorporate Feedback and Insights Assure Relevance + Fit Infuse Emerging Knowledge Comply with PEFC Requirements

29 Who? Independent Standards Review Panel (ISRP) Steve Sinclair, Chair Carmen Austin Amadou Diop John Godbee Barry Graden Mark Heyde Nicole Hill Bryan Hulka Jessica Leahy Tony Lyons Alton Perry William Street Neutral Facilitator

30 Ways Feedback Was Received Two 60-Day Comment Periods Online Commenting Platforms (400 & 100) Facilitated Listening Sessions & Hot Button Polling Letters, and Dialogue Thank you!

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32 driverlayer.com.au Things Learned: Guidance is Essential Wisdom of the Community

33 Themes of Feedback & Revisions Limited Change Landowner Capacity Flexibility Clarity General Market Access Support for Approaches

34 Highlights of Revision More Guidance Emphasis on objectives and activities Related to management plans Use of adaptive innovative approaches Expansion of BMPs Standards and guidance enhanced Related to air, water, soil, and site quality

35 More Highlights T&E Species Clarified obligations for protection Forest Health Promote broader understanding Stresses resilience to multiple stressors and disturbance Forests of Recognized Importance (FORI) Formerly High Conservation Value Forests

36 Standards Overview (In 20 minutes flat..)

37 Standard 1: Commitment to Practicing Sustainable Forestry Written Management Plans Objectives and Conditions Core Elements Active and adaptive Activities Map

38 MORE about Plans Core Plan Elements Forest health Soil Water Wood & fiber production T&E species Special sites Invasive species Forests of Recognized Importance (FORI) Where Present & Relevant Prescribed fire Wetlands Desired species Recreation Aesthetics Biomass Carbon

39 Monitoring Monitoring Invasive species Pests and disease Storm damage Timber theft Notes and Updates? Management Plan Addendum Plans Still Current?

40 Standard 2: Compliance with Laws Federal, state, local laws and BMPs Correct conditions leading to any regulatory actions Professional advice

41 Standard 3: Reforestation & Afforestation Adequate stocking Desired species Reasonable time

42 Standard 4: Air, Water & Soil Protection Use Best Management Practices (BMPs) Management of Unwanted Vegetation Pests Pathogens Unwanted Vegetation Use of Prescribed fire

43 Standard 5: Fish, Wildlife Biodiversity & Forest Health Threatened & Endangered Species Landowner s Desired Species Promote Forest Health Forests of Recognized Importance (FORI)

44 Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species Shall protect habitats and communities occupied by T & E species as required by law Levels of requirements Research to determine occurrences Protect known occurrences Document

45 Desired species Should address the desired species and/or desired forest communities Fish, wildlife and/or plant Refer to objectives Consultation Integrate into management

46 Prevention, control, and response Resilience Forest Health Should make practical efforts to promote forest health

47 Forests of Recognized Importance Contribute to conservation (FORI) Where present, activities should maintain or enhance FORI Evaluated at landscape level No central clearinghouse of information Consult with experts Review available info Resource Coming Soon

48 Standard 6 - Forest Aesthetics Landowners should manage for visual impacts consistent with size, scale and intensity of activities.

49 Standard 7: Protect Special Sites Historical Archeological Cultural Geological Biological Ecological Photo: Kenneth M. Gale, Bugwood.org

50 Protect Special Sites Research Protection, if present Documentation Stand/Sub-Stand Level Not on Every Property Property Size Matters

51 Standard 8 Forest Product Harvest and Other Activities Using qualified professionals and contractors Using contracts for harvests and other activities Liability and Workers Comp insurance

52 Key Components Transition is Already Underway: Foresters Training Landowner Engagement

53 Standards Tools Stay Tuned Audience-Driven Standards + Guidance Landowners Guide, Coming Soon! Foresters, NOW AVAILABLE Management Plan Addendum, Coming.. Joint Management Plan Template, Coming..

54 Getting Involved More Tools and Resources ATFS in Your State? Tips for wildlife? Love Maps? Would love a sign? Thinking about water?

55 Capitol Hill Fly-In: April 28-29, 2015

56 Questions? Thoughts?

57 Thank You