Outstanding Tree Farmer

Immediate past President of Otsego Land Trust, Earle Peterson, has been named Outstanding Tree Farmer in New York for 2007 by American Tree Farm System, an honor that enables him to serve as an advisor to their Tree Farm program in New York. American Tree Farm System is a national organization committed to “excellence in forest stewardship,” which includes strict attention to protecting wildlife habitat and watersheds and providing recreational opportunities for future generations. The New York chapter of American Tree Farm System could not have chosen a more dedicated land steward than Earle Peterson.

Long before his commitment to land preservation found expression in his leadership of Otsego Land Trust, Peterson was managing his own forestlands for sustainable production and habitat protection. Under the guidance of a forest management plan written by New York certified forester Rod Jones, Peterson has planted 50,000 tree seedlings, restored many acres of wetlands, and protected rare bog habitat at his 1,000-acre property for the last 33 years. This property–which he affectionately calls “Greenwoods Conservancy” –also serves as a research and demonstration site. The State University of New York Biological Field Station has catalogued 150 birds and 500 plants at Greenwoods Conservancy in partnership with Delaware Otsego Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited.

During his tenure as leader of the Otsego Land Trust, Peterson raised the standards for sustainable forest management on easement-protected lands by requiring landowners to manage their forests in conjunction with foresters certified by New York State. He proposed similar guidelines for forest management in the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices. The Otsego Land Trust congratulates Earle for this most recent recognition of his deep commitment to the highest standards in forest management.