Forest Society's George Frame Honored with National Field Leadership Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Amanda Nickerson, Communications Specialist
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
(603) 224-9945, ext. 301
Concord, N.H., March 28, 2006—The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests announced today that Conservation Easement Steward George Frame of Bristol, N.H., has been awarded the 2006 National Field Leadership Award. In a ceremony held March 2, 2006 in Baltimore, Maryland, Frame was recognized for his instrumental role in the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation (AFF).
“Given that this is only the second time the award has ever been given out, I am truly honored,” said Frame upon accepting the award. “It’s also good to see the New Hampshire Tree Farm Program get the recognition it deserves.”
In 1950 the Forest Society brought the idea of the American Tree Farm System to New Hampshire to help create a way of sustainable forestry management. All 41,000 acres of land owned by the Forest Society in the state is registered and Certified as Tree Farm.
“I feel that the Forest Society is on the front lines of saving New Hampshire,” Frame said. “When we introduced the Tree Farm System to the state 56 years ago, we enhanced our ability to sustain our forests and possibly protect a way of life.”
Today, the New Hampshire Tree Farm program is co-sponsored by the Forest Society, New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters, and University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Each sponsor plays a unique and important role, offering services to the New Hampshire Tree Farm Program.
The New Hampshire Tree Farm System is important because it gives the landowner an opportunity to be proactive and manage their land. Tree Farmers are aware of their land, any impact upon their land, as well as any easements that came with the land. In order to qualify as a Tree Farm in New Hampshire, land owners must meet the criteria of sound forest management, and submit to regular inspections to maintain their Certification.
The Tree Farm Leadership Award is given to those individuals who have made a significant impact in the inspection of family forestland and adherence to AFF’s Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification across a state or region. The award also recognizes the efforts of committee volunteers who are accomplishing the ATFS goals of sustaining forests, healthy habitats, and watersheds through private stewardship.
During his eight years on the New Hampshire Tree Farm Committee, Frame has trained inspectors who are interested in joining the Tree Farm Program, served as Committee Chair and Vice Chair, and presently serves as the Committee Co-Sponsor.
“We’re particularly pleased to have George on staff at the Forest Society,” said Jane Difley, President/Forester. “His broad knowledge of forestry and conservation easements is a real asset, and he’s a deserving recipient of the National Field Leadership Award.”
“I grew up in New Hampton in a good neighborhood, and have watched many parts of New Hampshire be sold off for development,” Frame observed. “Easement Stewardship is a nice way for me to feel assured that there will be nice green spots for my kids and grandkids to visit.”
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization. In order to preserve the quality of life New Hampshire residents know today, the goal of the Forest Society, in partnership with other conservation organizations, private landowners, and government, is to conserve an additional one million acres of the state’s most significant natural lands for trails, parks, farms and forests by 2026.
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