2016-2020 NASF Award Designees

Every five years, NASF renames its state forestry award categories in honor of former State Foresters who have had significant impact on State and Private Forestry programs. Meet the 2016-2020 NASF award category designees.

Lifetime Achievement- Jim Hubbard worked for the Colorado Forest Service for 35 years, serving as Colorado State Forester for the final 20 of those years (1984-2004). During his two decades as State Forester, Jim served on every NASF Committee, most notably as Chair of the Legislative Committee for 10 years. As Chair of the Fire Committee, Jim adeptly guided the NASF throughout the lengthy and complex development and implementation of the National Fire Plan in the early 2000s. In 2004, Jim stepped down as Colorado State Forester to accept a position as Director of the Office of Wildland Fire Coordination for the U.S. Department of The Interior. In January 2006, Mr. Hubbard was appointed Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry at the U.S. Forest Service. Since joining the USFS, he has guided the agency through years of severe wildfire situations, as well as working with state foresters to promote a comprehensive, landscape approach to forest management on the nation’s forestlands. In 2011, he received the NASF’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Current Achievement, Fire Protection – Pete Anderson began his career with the Nevada Division of Forestry in 1995, serving as Nevada State Forester from 2004 to 2014. He has an extensive background in conservation, natural resources and forestry, including forest management, fire control and watershed work on state and private lands. Pete has been an active member of the NASF Forest Fire Protection Committee and served as Chair of the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Committee, providing leadership for the national wildfire prevention program.

Current Achievement, Forest Resource Management – Ken Arney served as Tennessee State Forester from 1994 to 2001, after serving for more than 20 years with the state’s wildlife agency. He spearheaded third-party certification of Tennessee state forest system lands, and has coordinated significant interstate programs in forest health and ecosystem management. These include Longleaf and Shortleaf pine restoration initiatives, as well as numerous hurricane recovery projects. He also provided important leadership in developing and coordinating regional forest conservation initiatives.

Current Achievement, Urban Forestry – Steven Scott has been a champion for urban and community forestry since the early 1990s, when he served as the Urban Forestry Coordinator for the State of South Carolina. He served as the Tennessee State Forester from 2002 to 2012, serving as chair of the NASF Urban and Community Forestry Committee more than once during this period. He represented NASF on the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council and the Sustainable Urban Forestry Coalition, and currently serves on the NASF Foundation Board.

Current Achievement, Communications – Leah MacSwords has served NASF in many capacities over her many years as a leader within the association. In 2008-2009, she was the first woman to be appointed by her peers as President of NASF. She also served for 10 years on and was the first chair of the Communication Committee, where she was instrumental in promoting key NASF messages, demonstrating the value of state and private forestry programs to a wider audience, and promoting the use of social media tools to reach new audiences. She is the state forester who advocated for the creation of this award to recognize communications efforts in sharing the importance of trees and forests.

Current Achievement, Leadership – Jeff Jahnke served as Alaska’s State Forester from 1997 to 2005, and State Forester of Colorado from 2005 to 2012. In addition, Jeff has served as Southwest Area Manager, Deputy State Forester and Chief of the Forest Management Bureau for the Montana Department of Natural Resources. He was an early supporter of the competitive funding process to ensure that state and private forestry funding was used to address priority fire and forest management challenges. He served as president of NASF in 2010-2011.

Current Achievement, Partnerships – John Shannon serves as the Deputy Director for State and Private Forestry for the Northern and Intermountain Regions of the U.S. Forest Service. Prior to joining USFS, he enjoyed a long career with the Arkansas Forestry Commission, including 18 years as Arkansas State Forester. He served as NASF President in 2011-2012, and chaired NASF’s Forest Science and Health Committee in 2009-2009, and the Forest Health Protection Committee in 2002. He currently lives in Missoula, Montana.

Outstanding Service in Forest Public Policy (award formerly known as Current Achievement in Legislation) – Michael Buck served as Hawaii’s State Forester from 1989 to 2004, and was an active and engaged member of NASF throughout his state forestry career. He chaired NASF’s Emerging Issues Committee, and has served as a member of the Water Resources Committee, Forest Research Committee, Forest Health Protection Committee, and the Legislative Committee. After his retirement, he continued his involvement, representing NASF in the U.N .Forum on Forests and serving as Vice Chair of Investments on the NASF Foundation.

Meet the 2016 NASF award winners at https://www.stateforesters.org/2016/09/21/state-foresters-celebrate-partner-milestones-recognize-excellence-in-forestry

Accessibility Toolbar