Awards
By Lynn Brammer Division of Forestry
Listing the attributes of a great leader in forestry would include words like advocate, promoter, supporter, chair, volunteer and participant. Or, you could just say ‘Leah MacSwords.’
MacSwords received the 2009 Sustained Excellence Award during the 86th Annual National Association of State Foresters meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The award honors state foresters who have been strong advocates and Program, as her division handles more than 95 percent of the state's tree farm� inspections.
Program, as her division handles more than 95 percent of the state’s tree farm� inspections.
Not one to just “talk the talk,” MacSwords is deeply involved with Tree Farm Committee leadership and is an active member by participating in its meetings on a regular basis.
“Without Leah, her leadership and her commitment to the Tree Farm Program, we wouldn’t be the largest and one of
I’m very proud of the work we do in Kentucky to support our tree farmers.
Leah MacSwords Division of Forestry
supporters for the American Tree Farm System®, a program of the American Forest Foundation.
“I am honored to receive this recognition, and I’m very proud of the work we do in Kentucky to support our tree farmers,” MacSwords states.
MacSwords’ commitment to sustaining the Tree Farm Program provides the foundation for a sustained forest for present and future generations of forest landowners and their families.
As director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry for the past eight years, MacSwords has been a strong and adamant supporter of the Kentucky Tree Farm the most valued landowner groups in the country," said Bob Simpson, senior vice president of forestry at the American Forest Foundation.
the most valued landowner groups in the country," said Bob Simpson, senior vice president of forestry at the American Forest Foundation.
Due to MacSwords’ leadership of, and belief in, the program, Tree Farm information and a visual display is available at numerous field days conducted throughout the year in cooperation with other agencies. The Division of Forestry also distributes Tree Farm information to participants of the annual Kentucky Wood Expo and annual Kentucky Forest Industries Association meeting.
MacSwords also instituted a policy that includes Tree Farm brochures in every landowner stewardship plan in the state. In early 2009, she attended meetings on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design requirements for state buildings and was instrumental in the modification of state regulations to allow certified Tree Farm wood to be given credit in the state-approved system.
landowner stewardship plan in the state. In early 2009, she attended meetings on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design requirements for state buildings and was instrumental in the modification of state regulations to allow certified Tree Farm wood to be given credit in the state-approved system.
MacSwords is past head of the Southern State Foresters group and past president of the National Association of State Foresters where she continues to promote the Tree Farm Program to her colleagues throughout the United States.
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is a national program that promotes the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to private forest landowners. Founded in 1941, ATFS has 24 million certified acres of privately owned forestland and 91,000 family forest land owners who are committed to excellence in forest stewardship. Family forest landowners manage their forestlands for wood, water, wildlife and recreation with assistance from 4,680 volunteer foresters.
ATFS is a program of the American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit conservation and education organization that strives to ensure the sustainability of America’s family forests for present and future generations. Its vision is to create a future where North American forests are sustained by the public that understands and values the social, economic and environmental benefits they provide to communities, the nation, and the world.
Bob Simpson, senior vice president of forestry at the American Forest Foundation, presents Leah MacSwords with the award for her work in support of the Tree Farm Program. Photo by Division of Forestry