The American Tree Farm System (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, named Bob and Lynette Falkner, of Raymond, Wash. as the 2003 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.

Washington, D.C. – The American Tree Farm System (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, named Bob and Lynette Falkner, of Raymond, Wash. as the 2003 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The Falkners received their award during the National Tree Farmer Convention held in Columbus, Ohio, Hardwood Country, The Heart of it All. This annual ATFS award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland.

Bob, a youth minister, and Barbara, a teacher and homemaker, were selected from a long list of Tree Farmers throughout the nation. Having been actively involved in promoting Tree Farming in their community for years, the Falkner’s Tree Farming history is saturated with activities, organizations, and projects dedicated to advancing the good name of Tree Farming.

The Falkners own Custer Creek Tree Farm, 700 acres of land that has been in their family since 1888 and home to 5 generations of their family. Since 1978, the Falkners have had the land under a management plan to ensure that their Tree Farm would succeed over the long term. With their dedication to good stewardship over the years, Custer Creek Tree Farm has very much endured and prospered.

Certified Tree Farmers own at least 10 acres of forestland and actively follow a forest management plan developed in partnership with an ATFS volunteer forester. The plan addresses forest sustainability, wildlife habitat, recreation, and water and soil conservation Active management is essential for sustainability,” said Bob Simpson, Director of the American Tree Farm System.

“Family forest owners, like Bob and Lynette, actively manage their forests because they want to be examples of superior stewardship. By passing on the love of their land to their children they are improving America’s forest resources for generations to come Their passion for Tree Farming led the Falkners to create a management plan that included five goals: to maintain and protect the biodiversity of plant and animal life; to provide periodic income of harvested timber; to insure full stocking and rapid tree growth in forested acres; to outreach through education; and to continue the Tree Farm’s heritage. These ongoing goals still exist on a daily basis for the Falkners Custer Creek Tree Farm has provided the four Falkner Children, ranging in ages from 22 to 12, a true appreciation of their parents’ good stewardship as well as a love for the land.

The four of them grew up with the Tree Farm and each carries with them special memories of their Tree Farm life In fact, children have been an integral part of Custer Creek Tree Farm. Education and outreach are such important elements of the Falkner’s forest management plan that they built a Project Learning Tree trail for visiting classes to follow.

The Falkners have kept up good stewardship practices, have vocalized their passion and support of Tree Farming and timber products, and have touched the next generation with their love for the land. It is for these reasons and so many more, that the Falkner received their award surrounded by a standing ovation For more information please contact Amanda Rudy, Communications Coordinator, 202.463.2442, Email arudy@forestfoundation.org or visit ATFS at www.treefarmsystem.org

The American Tree Farm System\xc3\x92 (ATFS) is a national program that promotes the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to private forest landowners. Founded in 1941, ATFS consists of 26 million acres of privately owned forestland and has 61,000 family forest owners who are committed to excellence in forest stewardship. Tree Farmers manage their forestlands for wood, water, wildlife, and recreation with assistance from 6,000 volunteer foresters. ATFS is a program of the American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and informed decisionmaking about our communities and our world.