Boy Scouts recognized as tree farmers

Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation, near Summit Station, is recognized as a certified tree farmer in the American Tree Farm System. The Boy Scout's 670-acre tree farm is managed for recreation, wood, water and wildlife.

The American Tree Farm System is an industry-sponsored program that promotes and encourages the wise use and management of large and small forests for a multitude of benefits, including wood, water, wildlife and recreation.

American Tree Farm System has established standards and guidelines for forest landowners to meet to become a certified tree farm. Under these standards and guidelines, Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation developed a management plan based on strict environmental standards and passed an inspection by the American Tree System forester.

The American Tree Farm System is an organization of over 1,300 Pennsylvania forest landowners including over 450,000 acres and nearly 65,000 tree farmers nationwide who recognize the importance of and practice, wise natural resource management.

A gree and white tree farm sign was given to the Scouts to display on their property. The sign testifies to the good forest stewardship of their forestlands.

For more information about the American Tree Farm System is available on the Internet at www.treefarmsystem.org or by contacting Frank Snyder, Schuylkill County service forester for Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry at (570) 385-7807.