Idaho Lt Gov Brad Little being honored as Idaho Tree Farmer of the Year

From left
Chairman Kirk David, Lt Gov Brad Little, Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, John Lillehaug, Director of IDL George Bacon

2008
Idaho Tree Farmer of the Year
Ms. Jean Maucieri

Understanding our Program and Commitment

The Idaho Tree Farm program is a non-profit organization affiliated with the American Tree Farm System and American Forest Foundation, and sponsored by the Intermountain Forest Association in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  Our program is committed to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry.  The program is truly a local enterprise, run by volunteers throughout the state and local communities.  The programs bring foresters from industry, consultants, and government together with experienced Tree Farmers to plan and administer the Tree Farm program. We work with representatives of industry and state forestry organizations to set overall policy and assure that the Tree Farm program meets the real needs of forest landowners.

Become an Idaho Tree Farmer

If you have 10 acres or more of land that is forested or capable of supporting trees, you may become a member of the Idaho Tree Farm program.  If becoming a Tree Farmer interests you please contact the Idaho Tree Farm Program administrator to set up an appointment for a certified inspector to tour your land.  Upon inspection a written plan will be prepared that details management objectives and shows how you will provide for wildlife, recreation, water and soil conservation while producing timber.  After certification is recommended for your land you have earned the right to display the Tree Farm sign.  Every five years thereafter, Tree Farms are reinspected to assure that landowners continue to meet the System’s rigorousforestry certification criteria.

Getting Started – To qualify for Tree Farm certification, woodlands must be:

• ten acres or more;
• under management, with a written and implemented plan that accounts for water quality, wildlife habitat,
  soil conservation, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities as well as production of forest products;
• protected from fire, insects, disease and destructive grazing;
  
• reforested and harvesting
  ......and 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