COLUMBUS — Jeremy Scherf, forester for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, has been named the 2016 U.S. Northcentral Region Outstanding Tree Farm Inspector of the Year.
Four recognized
Scherf is one of four regional foresters who will be recognized by the American Tree Farm System at the National Leadership Conference, in February in Seattle, Washington. The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) is sponsored in Ohio by the Ohio Forestry Association and the ODNR Division of Forestry. There are 1,700 certified family forests in Ohio.
Stewardship
Tree farmers carry out stewardship on their woodland properties for the benefits of wood, water, wildlife and recreation. There are 49 active inspectors representing ODNR, the timber industry, forestry consultants and other foresters assisting Ohio’s tree farmers by offering long-range stewardship plans, management alternatives, invasive species control recommendations and compliance inspections to meet ATFS standards.
Scherf is one of 19 ODNR service foresters assisting woodland owners throughout the state. His project area includes Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson and Belmont counties in eastern Ohio.
Ohio Tree Farm
He is also inspector training chair for the Ohio Tree Farm program. Additionally, Scherf is active in the East Central Ohio Forestry Association, a regional woodland owner interest group. He is co-director of the Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp, a week-long experience attracting 100 high school students annually.
Founding member
He is a founding member of the Barnesville Area Reforestation Kommittee (BARK), promoting the planting of hardwood trees on reclaimed coal-mined land. Scherf currently serves as state chair of the Ohio Society of American Foresters, the statewide professional forestry association.
Details
For more information about tree farming and the Ohio Tree Farm Committee, go to ohioforest.org/page/OhioTreeFarmHome.
