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Date:
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Maine Timber Research & Environmental Education Foundation (Maine TREE) is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award and the newly established Sherry Huber Forest Champion Award. These awards honor individuals, landowners, and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the sustainable management of Maine's forest resources. Maine TREE is hosting its first Forest Awards Night to recognize this year's recipients, which will take place on Thursday, October 19, during Forest Products Week at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon.
Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award
The Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award, given in partnership with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, is the primary recognition for those who have managed Maine's working forest in an honorable and sustainable manner. This year's Austin Wilkins Award recipient is the University of Maine School of Forest Resources for their outstanding contribution to the forest products industry and the state of Maine.
Sherry Huber Forest Champion Award
Additionally, Maine TREE is honored to present the inaugural Sherry Huber Forest Champion Award to Sarah Medina. Her impressive record as a Champion of Maine's Forests is evident through her past roles as a former Maine TREE Board member, Project Learning Tree Steering Committee member, and affiliation with countless committees and organizations throughout her career.
Sherry Huber was a champion of forest-based education in the state, and her vision and leadership are the legacy Maine TREE Foundation strives to continue. In recognition of Sherry's contribution to Maine TREE and Maine's Forest Community, the Board of Directors has created this award to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing forestry or forest products initiatives that educate students or the general public about Maine's forests.
"Celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to advancing and promoting sustainable forest stewardship practices is essential in inspiring future generations to continue this important work. The contributions of this year's award recipients to the health and sustainability of Maine's forests will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on our forest for generations to come," shared Maine TREE Executive Director Logan Johnson. "Maine TREE's Forest Awards Night is an opportunity to bring our forest-focused community together to recognize the contributions of our friends and colleagues for their efforts to make Maine's forest the best place to live, work, and play."
"A person or group that makes the world a better place, promotes and furthers knowledge, and gives the best of themselves is my definition of success. And when I think of the University of Maine School of Forest Resources and Sarah Medina, they embody success. We are so fortunate to have the school and Sarah as leading the way for forestry advancements in Maine for so many years. My utmost respect and admiration for them both." shared Patty Cormier, Maine Forest Service Director.
The event will also recognize:
- Mark Savage & Brewer School Department - The Forestry Immersion Program
- Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust - 2023 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year
- Bud Philbrook of Broken Arrow Logging - 2022 CLP Conventional Logger of the
All are invited to celebrate the accomplishments of the award winners and Maine TREE's community of programs.
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