Alabama Treasure Forest Association

TO PROMOTE FORESTRY MANAGEMENT

FSC GROUP CERTIFICATION-THE ATFA HOLDS A GROUP CERTIFICATE FOR THE FOREST STEWARDSHIP CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. MEMBERS WHO AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF FSC CERTIFICATION ARE ELIGIBLE, IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS TO RECEIVE MORE MONEY FOR THEIR TIMBER.

CLASSROOM IN THE FOREST-CIF IS A PROGRAM WHICH COUNTIES CONDUCT TO HELP SCHOOL CHILDREN LEARN THE BENEFITS OF PROPER FOREST MANAGEMENT. IN MOST CASES, FIFTH GRADERS FROM ALL SCHOOLS IN PARTICIPATING COUNTIES ARE TAKEN TO THE WOODS AND GO THROUGH A SERIES OF STATIONS ON TOPICS SUCH AS WILDLIFE, FOREST MANAGEMENT, SOILS, AND WATER QUALITY TO SEE HOW PROPER FOREST MANAGEMENT PROTECTS THE FOREST AND ENHANCES THEIR LIVES.

ANNUAL MEETING-THE ATFA ANNUAL MEETING IS A TWO DAY EVENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO FOREST LANDOWNERS TO HELP THEM BETTER MANAGE THEIR LAND. THE MEETING CONSISTS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS ALTERNATIVE CROPS FOR THEIR FOREST LAND, BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, WILDLIFE ISSUES, DEER MANAGEMENT, ETC. THE SECOND DAY IS A FIELD TRIP TO ALLOW LANDOWNERS TO SEE SOME OF THESE PRACTICES BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE FOREST.

SHORT LEAF PINE-THE SHORTLEAF PINE TOUR WAS HELD ON APRIL 8, 2016 AT ALABAMA'S DESOTO STATE PARK NEAR FORT PAYNE, AL. THE FIELD DAY WAS A SUCCESS AS MORE THAN 90 ATTENDEES ENJOYED AN INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION FROM DR. ED LOEWENSTEIN AS WELL AS A TOUR LEAD BY DON BURDETTE, FORREST BAILEY, AND BRITTANY HUGHES. THE TOUR STOPS INCLUDED A PITCHER PLANT BOG, A POORLY MANAGED STAND THAT WAS USED AS AN EXAMPLE OF "HOW NOT TO MANAGE YOUR PROPERTY, AND A SHORTLEAF PINE STAND IN THE STATE PARK. A SPECIAL THANKS TO JOSH HUGHES AND ALL OF THE PARK STAFF WHO MADE THIS FIELD DAY SUCH A SUCCESS. THERE WILL BE ONE MORE SHORTLEAF PINE FIELD DAY NEXT YEAR TO COMPLETE THE THREE YEAR SERIES.