|
|
| |
VFA News
|
|
Back
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Next |
 |
|
|
Virginia Area
Foresters Honored with VFA’s President’s Award
 The
President’s award was established by the Virginia Forestry
Association to recognize individuals who, through their own
extraordinary efforts, have made a significant contribution
to forestry and who work behind the scenes and beyond the
call of duty.
This year the award was presented to the entire regiment of
area foresters of the Virginia Department of Forestry. These
determined individuals serve the citizens of the
Commonwealth with their considerable skills, while
maximizing available resources, towards the goals of
managing, conserving, protecting and enhancing the forested
resources of Virginia.
The public eye is only privy to a small portion of the
significant accomplishments of these devoted personnel. The
broad population may see Smokey Bear at a local festival or
fair or educating our youth about fire safety and the
importance of forests. A few attentive folks may even note
the capable skills of these uniformed troops as they protect
lives and property in responding to a wildfire which they
may have to fight for days at a time. But few see the hours
of training and maintenance required to stay ready and
alert. Additionally, these foresters serve an increasing
number of landowners across the state by answering
questions, writing management plans, aiding them in locating
financial and tactical resources to meet their
 management
objectives, caring for our State Forest lands, ensuring that
all forested lands are contributing optimal levels of
ecosystem services (clean water, carbon sequestration,
wildlife, aestheics, etc.), educating citizens both young
and old about the important role of forests to economic,
social, and environmental well-being.
Receiving the award for all area foresters was Matthew
Coleman, an exemplary member of this group and area forester
for Caroline County. Matthew typifies the efforts of this
position by assisting with forest management and
environmental issues, in addition to public outreach efforts
on behalf of the Department of Forestry, VFA and programs
such as the “Kids in the Woods” that provides hands-on
forestry and natural resource education to third graders.
VFA President, John Burke also named Dean Cumbia, Rich
Steensma and John Magruder in as exemplary foresters with
whom he has worked over the years. Kudos to all Virginia
Department of Forestry area foresters.
|
|
|
|
Back
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Next |
|
|
|
