NASF has honored Jaelith Hall-Rivera of the USDA Forest Service (USFS) with the Marvin Brown Current Achievement Award for Partnerships in recognition of her work to build partnerships with state foresters, jointly develop performance measures to capture the importance of work accomplished through State & Private Forestry funding, and explore mechanisms for increasing the ability to target funds to where they will produce the greatest impact. Hall-Rivera is the Deputy Area Budget Coordinator for State and Private Forestry with USFS in Washington, D.C.
“Jaelith Hall-Rivera has been a tremendous partner to the State Foresters, unfalteringly sharing her knowledge, working collaboratively to demonstrate the value of State & Private Forestry outcomes, and proactively working to forward joint Forest Service and State Forester initiatives,” Paul DeLong, Wisconsin State Forester and incoming NASF President, said while presenting Jaelith with her award at NASF’s annual meeting in Olympic Valley, California.
Hall-Rivera’s knowledge of state and private forestry programs, coupled with her keen understanding of the budget process and players has contributed enormously to building understanding about the nature of data needed to be useful for diverse audiences.
“Jaelith exemplifies excellence in partnership—in her willingness to listen, to share knowledge, to collaborate, and to jump in and get to work. In addition to being an invaluable resource, partner, and friend to all in the State Forester community, Jaelith is helping to improve the reporting tools and funding mechanisms that support states’ work on the ground,” said DeLong.
The NASF Current Achievement Awards are presented annually to one or more deserving State Foresters, members of a State Forester's staff or individuals or organizations who partner in the protection and sustainable management of America’s forests. Each NASF Current Achievement Award is designated with the name of a former state forester who was active in the identified state and private forestry area.
For more information contact NASF Communications Director Amanda Cooke.