SENATE RESOLUTION 60

(By Senators Karnes, Williams, Stollings, Plymale, Ashley, Cline, Unger and Leonhardt)

[Introduced March 3, 2016]

Recognizing June 12, 2016, as the 75th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System.

Whereas, Forests, covering one third of the land in the U. S., provide all Americans, including the residents of West Virginia, clean drinking water, clean air and an abundant wildlife habitat; and

Whereas, Forests provide renewable wood for buildings, furniture, energy and paper needs; and

Whereas, In West Virginia, forests provide people with over 30,000 jobs and contribute more than $3.2 billion annually to West Virginia’s economy; and

Whereas, Most of our nation’s forests are owned by the people who make West Virginia and our country great, the citizens; and

Whereas, Seventy-five years ago, the American Tree Farm System was founded to help family and individual woodland owners sustain their forests and the benefits we all receive from them; and

Whereas, With more than 186 individuals and families, who combined own more than 116,000 acres in West Virginia, the American Tree Farm System remains a strong and essential program today to conserve our state’s forests and their benefits, especially in the face of growing pressures such as wildfires, insects and diseases, and development pressures; and

Whereas, Tree farmers invest time, manpower and personal funds to practice sustainable forest management on their land so we can enjoy all the benefits these forests provide us; and 

Whereas, The American Tree Farm System is made possible by volunteers from the local small woodlands associations, conservation organizations, forest products companies, university extensions and our own West Virginia Division of Forestry; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes June 12, 2016, as the 75th Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the American Tree Farm System.