WHEREAS, Bob and Lynette (Habersetzer) Falkner, husband and wife, along with their children, are the fourth and fifth generations to practice forest stewardship on Custer Creek Tree Farm in Pacific County, Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm has been tended by Leonhard and Rosa Habersetzer, Cornelius Habersetzer, William and Elizabeth Habersetzer, Victor and Ruth Habersetzer, Bob and Lynette (Habersetzer) Falkner, and their children; and
     WHEREAS, There is one tract of forested and agricultural land in the town of Frances, Pacific County, Washington, totaling 837 acres; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is a Washington State Centennial Farm that has been in operation since 1888, before Washington gained statehood; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is a family tree farm with children Kate Falkner, Tim Falkner, Mary Beth Falkner, and Elly Falkner all involved in some aspect of the management of the forest land; and
     WHEREAS, This body honors Bob and Lynette (Habersetzer) Falkner who were named Washington State's 2002 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year; and
     WHEREAS, This prestigious honor is given to the top nonindustrial tree farmer who has demonstrated exemplary forest management skills, substantial interest in the Tree Farm Program, abilities in relating to other landowners, and special human interest; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm was nominated for the finals from over 1,245 certified tree farmers statewide, who collectively own 4,994,038 acres, selected for the title from among six finalists, and will compete in the regional competition and, if successful, the national competition; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm land is managed to promote healthy tree growth and to develop wildlife, fish, and water resources; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm regards the land as a gift from God and takes the accompanying responsibility seriously in their management of the tree farm; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is active in environmental education with elementary schools and sponsors woods tours for various groups; and
     WHEREAS, Custer Creek Tree Farm is a certified Green Tag Forest, (the fourth to be so certified in the State of Washington, and the thirteenth in the nation) and is committed to producing timber that is environmentally friendly; and
     WHEREAS, Bob and Lynette (Habersetzer) Falkner are members of the Washington Farm Forestry Association, Washington Contract Loggers Association, Northwest Woodlands Owners Association, National Woodland Owners Association, and the Washington Forest Protection Association; and
     WHEREAS, Bob Falkner is a graduate of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program; and
     WHEREAS, Private nonindustrial forestry is an exercise in democracy and the private enterprise system; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's Tree Farm Program is part of the American Tree Farm System, a nationwide membership of nearly 62,000 landowners, who collectively own seventy-seven million acres; and 61,566 farms, with 77,886,140 acres; and
     WHEREAS, The American Tree Farm System is a sixty year old network that brings together forest landowners who are committed to protective water and soil quality and providing wildlife habitat and quality recreation opportunities at the same time they produce timber products; and
     WHEREAS, Fifty-eight percent of the timber harvested in the United States comes from nonindustrial, private woodlands like Custer Creek Tree Farm;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate commend Bob and Lynette Falkner for being named Washington's Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year and wish them the best of luck in the regional competition; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Bob and Lynette Falkner.