Gilchrist County has 28 certified Tree Farms, accounting for 17,628 acres of land. Recently, Kay Jones, Frank & America Lehner, the Galloways, Mike & Brenda McElroy, Larry & Mary Watson, Pat Parker, Gwen Barker, Jesse & Mary Lee, Todd & Mae Bryant and Scott Welch were certified in Gilchrist County.
To qualify for Tree Farm certification, woodlands must be:
• 10 acres or more
• under management, with a written and implemented plan that accounts for water quality, wildlife habitat, soil conservation and biodiversity, as well as production of forest products
• protected from fire, insects, disease, and destructive grazing
• reforested in a timely manner after harvesting
Tree Farmers must make good-faith efforts to:
• protect special sites and consider forest aesthetics
• dispose of slash in an environmentally sound manner
• use chemicals prudently
• contract with licensed and insured loggers and forest management contractors
The American Tree Farm System is a nationwide community of more than 87,000 individuals and families joined by their desire for excellence in forest stewardship. These landowners share a commitment to protect watersheds and wildlife habitat, to conserve soil and provide recreation for their neighbors, and at the same time to produce the wood that America needs for thousands of useful products.
More than 58 percent of the productive forests in America are owned by ordinary citizens -- not government or industry. These 9.9 million forest owners hold the key to just what kind of forests future generations of Americans will enjoy.
The Tree Program will recognize a family forest as a Certified Forest which has the potential to benefit you in the future. Forest Industry and retail companies are under pressure to show proof that the products they sell derived from wood come form certified forest. Also, potential alternative forest product markets such as bio-fuels and carbon trading will require that your forest is a certified.
If you like additional information on the Tree Farm Program in Florida or if you meet the qualifications contact the Division of Forestry at 352-463-3138. To learn more about the Program nation wide visit info@treefarmsystem.org.
