photo by David Snow

Roy Jordan, the president of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association, shows the proposed license plate offered for free by the ATFA to the first 1,000 commitments, and a photo of students from Sweet Water who visited his farm a few years ago as part of the “Classroom in the Forest” program.

'I'd Rather Be in the Forest' license plates available

By David Snow (Contact) | Demopolis Times

Published Wednesday, January 28, 2009

DEMOPOLIS — Roy Jordan of Demopolis, the president of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association (ATFA) spoke at the Demopolis Kiwanis Club meeting on Tuesday.

Jordan spoke about a new distinctive license plate proposed by the ATFA that says, “I’d Rather Be In The Forest,” available to the first 1,000 purchasers for free through the ATFA.

Those wanting to take advantage of this limited offer should gather information about his car, including make, model, year and vehicle identification number (VIN). The purchaser’s name, mailing address and phone number will also be needed. The license plate category or tag type is the Alabama Treasure tag No. 89.

Purchasers should then go to the county courthouse in Linden and tell the probate clerk that they want to make a commitment to purchase an Alabama Treasure Forest distinctive license plate. They should then provide the information and $50, and then get the receipt. The AFTA will reimburse the $50.

They should then make a copy of the receipt — do not use the original — and mail the copy of the receipt to: ATFA, Attention: Tag, P.O. Box 189, Chunchula, AL 36521. Purchasers may buy as many of these tags as they like.

When 1,000 commitments have been made statewide, purchasers will be notified, and should bring the original receipt to the courthouse and order the tag. License purchases will not be allowed until at least 1,000 commitments have been made.

The program to get reimbursed for the tag purchase will end after 1,000 commitments have been made. More information about the program can be found by calling the ATFA toll-free 1 888 240-4694.

Jordan said that only 10 percent of the forests’ landowners have ever participated in any managed forest practice procedures.

“Today, in the state, there are over 2,000 certified treasure forests,” he said. “There are several certified treasure forests in the county, owned by the Charles Mayton estate, B.W. Compton, Bert Rosenbush, Meador Jones and others.

“The association that I am associated with is a group of stewardship-minded men and women who are dedicated to improving their forest lands. We have 3,140 family members.”

The ATFA’s “Classroom in the Forest” program has worked with more than 70,000 children with 2,000 volunteers. The ATFA also has minority outreach programs as well as regional leadership teams.

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