American Tree Farm System (ATFS)
History before PEFC
The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) is the oldest and largest sustainable woodland system in America. ATFS is a signature program of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), a conservation organization that engages America's family forest landowners to deliver conservation impacts, including clean water, biodiversity protection and sustainable wood supplies.
ATFS was established almost 80 years ago and provides a community in which family landowners can learn, grow in the stewardship and connect with others. ATFS is also a thriving practitioner community, engaging more than 4,000 natural resource professionals and foresters nationwide.
What are the benefits of being part of the PEFC alliance?
Being a part of the PEFC alliance offers ATFS many benefits. The greatest of these is global recognition for the amazing stewardship and conservation impacts delivered by family landowners certified to the ATFS Standards of Sustainability. The PEFC network can provide a platform for protection and enhancement of biodiversity and delivery of clean water and sustainable fiber supplies.
PEFC endorsement of ATFS also enables wood originating on well managed forests certified to ATFS to be recognized in the global marketplace, providing access and recognition.
ATFS system information
Endorsement milestones
To maintain its PEFC endorsement, the system must meet specific endorsement milestones. The first milestone is the start of the periodic review within five years of the national approval of the sustainable forest management standard.
- National approval date: 11 November 2014
- Review date: 14 November 2019*
* The review date is linked to the approval date of the revised Sustainable Forest Management standard PEFC ST 1003 (14 November 2018).
System history
- Second re-endorsement: 15 December 2017
- First re-endorsement: 23 December 2013
- First endorsement: 7 August 2008
- Joined PEFC: 19 June 2001