| Matthew
Coleman Named Outstanding Tree Farm Inspector
Rich Steensma, left, with Matthew
Coleman
and his son, Ben.
The work of a forester is a lifelong
commitment. Forestry takes patience, good long-term decision
making, and constant reassurance to the landowner or
onlooker of what the forest will be. Tree Farmers graciously
display their various forests in different phases of growth
to help the public see and believe the results of good
management. Matthew Coleman is one of those forest managers
with good long-term vision and commitment to the land.
Matthew is the Caroline County Forester for the Virginia
Department of Forestry. He has worked with the Tree Farm
program steadily since 1992. Matthew also manages about 37
active Tree Farms in his area and has signed-up nearly 15
new farms in the last five years. Having recognized several
Tree Farmers for their fine work, Matthew has spurred
interest among landowners in becoming Tree Farmers or
maintaining their membership. Matthew has worked with two
landowners who have been recognized as Virginia's
Outstanding Tree Farmers; one is a national regional winner.
Outreach is part of public service work. County Foresters
educate landowners about sustainable forestry. Matthew
Coleman takes that task a step further, working steadily
with landowner John Burke, who is is founder of "Kids in the
Woods," an education program developed to teach 3rd graders
and their teachers the importance of our natural resources.
For the past 10 years, "Kid's in the Woods" has taught the
importance of sustainable natural resource management to
about 400 kids annually. |
Silver Hard Hat
Billy Newman, left receives
award from Rob Wait
Billy Newman, received the Silver Hard Hat
award from Rob Wait, for performing 50 "new" Tree Farm
inspections during his professional forestry career. The
Virginia Tree Farm Committee awards this honor to foresters
who demonstrate diligence in educating private landowners
about the benefits of sustainable forest management. Newman
began his career with the Virginia Department of Forestry as
an area forester for Nelson County. He has also worked for
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. as the procurement forester in
central Virginia. Newman is a Certified Forester through the
Society of American Foresters and is a lifetime member of
VFA. |
