Qualifications
Does your Forest Qualify?
If you own at least 10 acres of forestland and no more than 20,000 contiguous acres, your forestland may qualify for certification now. You and your property must meet the American Forest Foundation Standards of Sustainability which include:
• Your forest management complies with federal, state, and local laws.
• You have a written forest management plan.
• You reforest harvested areas.
• Your forestry practices maintain or enhance the environment (including air, water, soil, and site quality).
• Your forest management contributes to the conservation of fish, wildlife, and biodiversity.
• You consider and minimize the visual impact of forestry practices.
• Your management activities recognize historical, biological, archeological, cultural, or geological sites.
• Your timber harvests and forest operations are conducted according to your management plan and in consideration of other forest values (water quality, wildlife, regeneration, special sites, etc.).
The lack of a qualified written management plan is one of the main reasons forest owners do not qualify for certification. If you do not have a written management plan, or otherwise do not meet the standards for certification, you can enter the program as a Pioneer Tree Farm. As a Pioneer Tree Farm, you have until the next scheduled reinspection to meet the standard.
For information on a management plan and a template, Click here.
For information on becoming certified click here.
Contact: Tom Monaghan, Mississippi Tree Farm State Administrator
Box 9680, Miss. State, MS 39762
Phone: 662-325-1785 Fax: 662-325-1024 Send Mail