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Awards given at USFS
Centennial Congress
The Centennial Congress
Awards recognize people and organizations who have made a difference
in the first hundred years of the USDA Forest Service.
Centennial Congress Awards Ceremony, January 6, 2005
 Public
Service (External) Presented by Elizabeth Estill
The Ad Council
The Ad Council's Smokey Bear fire prevention campaign is the longest
running public service campaign in history and has inspired several
generations of Americans to take personal responsibility to prevent
unwanted fires caused by humans. For more than 60 years, The Ad Council
has worked pro bono, with the Forest Service and the National Association
of State Foresters to make Smokey's message contemporary and effective.
American Recreation Coalition
The American Recreation Coalition has long been a strong Forest
Service partner and has sponsored numerous major programs for youth
education, fire prevention, recreation management and information, public
awareness, social science understanding, and customer service. The Coalition
continues to be instrumental in supporting quality outdoor recreation
programs for the public and supports the Agency in accomplishing that
diverse challenge.
The Nature Conservancy
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has been a special
partner of the Forest Service in protection of plants, animals, and
natural communities. TNC works across agencies, communities, and business
in a non- confrontational approach using science and information as
a strength of building understanding and support. TNC has been a major
supporter of the Forest Service at all levels and across all parts of
the country.
Public Service (Internal) Presented by Elizabeth Estill
Rudolph (Rudy) Andrew Wendelin (1910- 2000)
Rudy Wendelin was a Forest Service employee and the official Smokey
Bear artist for many years. He provided national leadership in fire
prevention with amazingly successful long- term and significant contributions.
He produced more than 4,000 Smokey Bear works of art in his 27 year
career with the Forest Service.
Bob Marshall (1901- 1939)
Bob Marshall was a pioneer in developing the recreation and wilderness
programs in the Forest Service during the 1930's. He was instrumental
in developing the institutional framework for protection of wild lands
in America that eventually led to the establishment of the National
Wilderness Preservation System.
Mark Reimers (retired)
Mark Reimers, in his 38 year career with the Forest Service, served
the public in many different capacities with significant success, but
his work and involvement in Legislative Programs is monumental. He worked
tirelessly with Congress, interest groups, and six administrations on
a variety of critically important legislation such as Renewable Resources
Protection Act, National Forest Management Act, wilderness legislation
in nearly 30 different states, and numerous others. Mr. Reimers, in
a quiet, professional way, served the public in an exemplary manner
which yielded long- term benefits to society.
University Leadership Presented by Ann Bartuska
National Association of Professional Forestry Schools and Colleges
The National Association of Professional Forestry Schools and Colleges
(NAPFSC) consists of 69 member colleges and universities and was formed
to advance the science, practice and art of forest management through
the encouragement and support of forest resource education, research,
extension and international programs at the university level. Prior
to the formation of forest research stations, university forestry schools
played the primary role of providing research results to the Forest
Service. Since World War II, NAPFSC members have been key partners in
many Forest Service programs; within the National Forest System, State
& Private Forestry, and Research & Development branches of the
Agency. NAPFSC schools have played, and are still playing, major roles
in the development of forestry policies affecting national forests and
helping to improve the management of other public and private forests.
NAPFSC schools work with State & Private Forestry to help deliver
science to land managers and owners through extension forestry programs
and other activities.
Tuskegee University
In the 1960's, Tuskegee University, College of Agricultural, Environmental
and Natural Science entered into a Master Memorandum of Understanding
with the U. S. Forest Service Southern Forest Experiment Station and
placed Forest Service personnel on Tuskegee's campus. They assisted
with outreach, recruitment, education, placement, and conversion of
students (African Americans and other minority groups) into the Forest
Service workforce. Since 1968, Tuskegee has graduated over 120 foresters
and natural resources professionals, many of which whom are employed
with the Forest Service. In the early 1990's, the Tuskegee University
Forestry and Natural Resources Program Council was reestablished. The
Council has over 30 active members including, USDA, Forest Service,
forestry industry, corporate America, alumni, and friends. The Council
helps to provide scholarships, jobs, and placement of students in forestry,
natural resources, agriculture, and related sciences. The Forest Service
has been able to attract and retain many of the students under the USDA/
1890 National Scholars Program. The Tuskegee University Forestry and
Natural Resources Program has paved the way for other Forest Service
"Multicultural Recruitment Initiatives."
Science Leadership Presented by Ann Bartuska
Raphael Zon (1874- 1956)
Raphael Zon helped build the U. S. Forest Service organization by
promoting the importance of scientific investigation. Mr. Zon was instrumental
in the creation of Forest Experiment Stations, and without doubt, was
the force behind science leadership in the Agency in its formative years.
Gene Likens, Institute of Ecosystem Studies F. Herbert Bowman, Yale
University
Robert S. Pierce, USDA Forest Service
Noye M. Johnson , Dartmouth College
Gene Likens, F. Herbert Bowman, Robert Pierce, and Noye Johnson founded
long- term investigations of forest watershed ecosystems and the Hubbard
Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountain National Forest. They
were among the first to apply the concepts of nutrient and energy flows
to understanding forest watersheds. They used these studies to investigate
the impacts forest management, road building, and air pollution have
on the ecosystem. Their work has had global implications for forest
and ecosystem management and conservation. Their ground- breaking approach
set the stage for what has become the Long Term Ecological Network (LTER),
a series of international ecosystem studies. The Forest Service is an
active partner in these studies.
Jack Ward Thomas, Ph. D. (retired)
Dr. Jack Ward Thomas, Forest Service Chief from 1993 to 1996, has
been instrumental in connecting management to science. Dr. Thomas has
been influential in framing many of the science leadership issues that
face the U. S. Forest Service today. He continues to use his science
leadership to help reconcile the differences that exist in our society
in viewing resource issues.
Leadership in a Diverse Society Presented by Chris Pyron
F. Dale Robertson (retired)
Dale Robertson has served in many leadership roles including Forest
Service Chief from 1987 to 1993. Among Mr. Robertson's greatest contributions
to the Agency was his passion and capacity to create an understanding
and commitment to strengthening the U. S. Forest Service through diversity.
During his time as Chief, Mr. Robertson not only changed the face of
the Forest Service, but also changed our heart and future. He has set
a leadership example that must be embraced at all levels and for all
time.
Ellie Towns. J. D. (retired)
Ellie Towns was the Southwest Regional Forester until her retirement
in 2002. Throughout her numerous roles, she set an example of positive
leadership commitment to living, learning, and leading in a diverse
society. She leads by example and her commitment to the Agency and to
the people who make it what it is exemplary.
Organizational Leadership Presented by Chris Pyron
Overton W. Price (1873-1914)
Overton Price was the first Associate Forester of the Forest Service
and was instrumental in developing the organizational structure of the
Forest Service. He possessed a great capacity to organize and lead and
created an efficient system of Ranger Districts, Forests, Regions, and
National Office that in basic blueprint still remains today.
R. Max Peterson, Chief Emeritus
Max Peterson, Chief of the Forest Service from 1980 to 1987, symbolizes
the leadership and commitment to organization that has held the Agency
together for a hundred years. Mr. Peterson was instrumental in bridging
new organizational realities brought about by the National Forest Management
Act and responded to new challenges of immense proportion. In retirement,
and as the former executive vice president of the International Association
of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, he has continued to guide, counsel, and
support the Agency through his seemingly infinite capacity to understand
and lead the organization.
Lou Romero
For over 40 years, Lou Romero has been a convener, facilitator,
mentor, educator, communicator, and student of organizational leadership
for the U. S. Forest Service. He has helped guide and transition numerous
Forest Service leaders. He has had major roles in significant leadership
gatherings, including all Forest Supervisor meetings since the first
in 1985 and additional national meetings. He continues, in the private
sector, to take special interest in providing organizational leadership
to upcoming Forest Service leaders.
Professional Society Leadership Presented by Joel Holtrop
Society of American Foresters
Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, the Society of American Foresters
has long been associated with and a solid supporter of the Forest Service.
As the largest professional society for foresters in the world, their
history in establishing professional standards has been invaluable to
the Agency. The Society advances science, education, technology, and
the practice of forestry. Their efforts on a continuing basis over a
hundred years has made them leaders in advancing the conservation ethic
to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems for present
and future generations.
Resource Stewardship (External) Presented by Joel Holtrop
National Association of State Foresters
The National Association of State Foresters is a nonprofit organization
that represents the directors of State Forestry agencies. State foresters
have worked tirelessly with forestry, wildlife, wildfire, and other
resource professionals promoting healthy sustainable forests that provide
various uses, products and benefits for the public, landowners, and
the Nation. The Association's partnership with the Forest Service has
been essential in our mission of resource stewardship to meet the needs
of present and future generations.
Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has been a Forest Service partner
for over 30 years, helping to conserve key land for watershed, public
recreation, and resource protection. TPL has assisted the Forest Service
with the Land & Water Conservation Fund (L& WCF) purchase and
exchange program. Trust for Public Land has assisted in acquiring over
500,000 acres of land for the National Forest System, including nationally
significant areas such as Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area,
Big Sur Coastline, and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. They participated
in over 600 individual L& WCF acquisitions in 34 states in all nine
regions.
William D. Hagenstein
William Hagenstein is a retired forest products association executive
director from Portland, Oregon and a former president of the Society
of American Foresters (1966- 69). For many decades, he led efforts to
further professional resource stewardship of our Nation's forests and
was instrumental in working to resolve critical resource stewardship
issues of the day. He was mentored by former Forest Service Chief William
Greeley and was very engaged in policy dialogue as a professional, association
representative, and as an advocate. He continues to be active and influential
in resource management as an advisor and supporter.
Community Leadership Presented by Joel Holtrop
Jack Shipley, Applegate Partnership
Jack Shipley founded and established Applegate Partnership in 1992
to encourage cooperation between communities and agencies on forest
management issues in the Applegate River Valley. The Applegate Partnership
is a community based nonprofit organization involving industry, conservation
groups, natural resource agencies, and residents cooperating to encourage
and facilitate the use of natural resource principles promoting ecosystem
health and diversity. Mr. Shipley's accomplishments include: teaming
with the Forest Service and BLM to implement forest health projects
demonstrating how communities and agencies could work together; influencing
the creation and inclusion of the Applegate Adaptive Management Area
in the Northwest Forest Plan; and, influencing the acquisition of over
$100, 000 in grant funding to initiate and complete the Applegate Fire
Plan. He also played a significant role in coordinating a partnership
between several parties, including the Forest Service, to raise over
$100, 000 to develop a collaborative demonstration project regarding
fuels hazard reduction treatment effects and opportunities over a 40,
000 acre landscape.
Volunteer Leadership Presented by Tom Thompson
National Ski Patrol
Founded in 1938, the National Ski Patrol (NSP) has become the largest
winter rescue organization in the world. The Patrol has been a strong
partner of the Forest Service with largely volunteer patrollers promoting
skiing and ski safety. Over the years many Forest Service employees
and retirees have helped fill the volunteer ranks.
Appalachian Trail Conference
The Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) has a long term history as
a volunteer based nonprofit organization which focuses on protection
and promotion of the Appalachian Trail. The Forest Service and the ATC
have been partners in management of the Trail since 1925 and the Conference
was instrumental in ensuring the passage of the Volunteer Act of 1972.
Each year more than 4,500 volunteers contribute more than 180, 000 hours
to maintain, manage, and administer the ATC. Total contributions are
valued at over $3 million, with over a $1 million contributed annually
on National Forest System lands.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) has been a Forest Service
partner for nearly 20 years. They have helped to fund and implement
1, 667 resource stewardship projects, permanently protect 73, 000 acres
through land acquisition and protect over 50, 000 acres through lease
acquisitions. Additionally, they have assisted with research, elk restoration,
and conservation education programs such as High Schools for Habitat,
Becoming an Outdoors Woman, and the Wildlife Leadership Award Scholarship.
RMEF has partnered with the Forest Service to enhance or protect almost
2 million acres across 83 national forests, 4 national grasslands, 5
National Recreation Areas, and involved 2 research stations on projects
totaling nearly $90 million in total assets. RMEF has 140,000 members
with 11, 000 active volunteers contributing to work on the ground.
Resource Stewardship (Internal ) Presented by Tom Thompson and
Dale Bosworth
Aldo Leopold (1887- 1948)
Aldo Leopold, during his Forest Service career, made significant contributions
to resource stewardship in the Agency's formative years. He pioneered
new concepts and ideas of public land stewardship such as wildlife management
and wilderness management. His philosophy of land ethic that matured
in his years at University of Wisconsin and on his property in Sand
County continues to lead resource managers throughout the world.
Floyd Iverson (1910- 1998)
Floyd Iverson contributed to resolving major grazing issues in the Rocky
Mountain and Intermountain West in the 1950's. His ability to bring
resource stewardship concepts into the range business and his work in
watershed management had a monumental impact on the U. S. Forest Service.
He later became Regional Forester of the Intermountain Region and was
very active in the Society of Range Management.
Jay Cravens (retired)
Jay Cravens has demonstrated a sustained commitment to resource stewardship
of our Nation's forests. During his career with the Forest Service,
he served in many capacities in the Southwest and as Regional Forester
of the Eastern Region. During the Vietnam years, Mr. Cravens served
in a significant AID tour. He also was a professor at the University
of Wisconsin, the president of the Society of American Foresters, a
consulting forester, and continues to be active in supporting the Forest
Service.
Tom Thompson (Presented by Dale Bosworth)
Tom Thompson, a 36 year veteran and National Forest System Deputy
Chief, has contributed significantly to the stewardship of National
Forest System land resources. His leadership and commitment to diversity
has provided the critical support, tools, and skills necessary to accomplish
essential work on the ground. Tom is an avid connoisseur of Forest Service
history and has a keen interest in examining and understanding the successes
and disappointments of the past. Tom's infectious enthusiasm has been
the catalyst behind the Agency's celebration of its 100 year conservation
legacy.
Centennial Legacy Presented by Tom Thompson
Gifford Pinchot (1865- 1946)
The first Chief Forester of the U. S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot,
"Cared for the Land and Served the People." He was the Governor of the
State of Pennsylvania, founder of the Society of American Foresters,
and a professional forester who supported the U. S. Forest Service throughout
his lifetime.
American Forests
For 125 years, American Forests has worked to find and develop the best
science to identify conservation issues and solutions. They have been
a leading voice for many Forest Congresses which helped establish the
Forest Reserves and the transfer of those reserves to the USDA. They
have supported the formation of state forestry associations and protection
of eastern National Forests. American Forests has a proud history of
support and partnership with the U. S. Forest Service. The organization
has furthered communication of forestry issues and has been a convener
of citizen activists, business, forestry professions and managers.
Congressional Recognition
The following Congressmen and Senators were recognized with a special
Centennial award at the Whitten Gala on January 5, 2005.
John Wingate Weeks: U. S. Representative and Senator 1904-1919
John Wingate Weeks is best known for his efforts at establishing the
eastern national forest system. In the early 1900's all the forest lands
in the eastern half of the United States were privately owned and many
were in poor condition. There were no national forests in the east,
and the government was not empowered to purchase private lands. Congress
finally passed the Appalachian- White Mountains Forest Reservation Bill
in 1911, largely due to the efforts of Representative Weeks. The Weeks
Act authorized the federal government to purchase lands to be permanently
reserved, held and administered as national forest lands, "for the protection,
development and use of their natural resource."
Charles Linza McNary: U. S. Senator 1917-1944
Charles McNary was a Senator from Oregon and Chairman of the Senate
Select Committee on Reforestation. He sponsored the Clarke- McNary Act
of 1924 which set the cooperative tone of the relationship between the
Forest Service and the forest industry for decades to come. The act
provided for cooperative opportunities with states on reforestation,
fire control, farm woodlots, and expanded land purchase for new national
forests under the Weeks Act of 1911. Senator McNary also co- sponsored
the McSweeney- McNary Act of 1928 that expanded authorities for national
forest land purchases.
Hubert Horatio Humphrey: U. S. Senator 1948- 1964 and 1970- 1978
Hubert Humphrey, Senator from Minnesota and vice- president under
Lyndon Johnson introduced the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act in 1956
which was passed in 1960. Senator Humphrey was instrumental in the passage
of the Wilderness Act of 1964, the National Forest Management Act of
1976, and the Resource Planning Act of 1978. |
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