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Celebrating Community at the 3rd Annual Forest Awards Night
- Hope Light
- Oct 28
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 4
The Maine Timber Research & Environmental Education Foundation (Maine TREE) held its 3rd Annual Forest Awards Night on October 16th at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon, bringing together a blended community of forestry professionals, landowners, educators, and students. The evening recognized the exceptional contributions of various individuals and organizations, celebrating not only the awardees but also the collective efforts of those who play a role in stewarding Maine’s forests and future.
Logan Johnson, the Executive Director of Maine TREE, opened the award ceremony by sharing the organization’s new impact statement, which will guide their work in the coming years: “Building community to promote the long-term stewardship of Maine’s Forests.” This new statement, Johnson explained, captures the core of Maine TREE’s mission across all its programs, and the community being built was showcased in the event's attendance. Johnson led the room in a quick poll to identify major categories: logger, forester, landowner, researcher, student, educator, and, to everyone’s amusement, a category just for those who hadn’t had the chance to stand yet.
Presented by Jim O’Malley, Operations Manager for Huber Resources, the Certified Logging Professional (CLP) awards were the first to take the stage. CLP of the Year Awards are given to individuals representing each of the professional categories: conventional, mechanical, and contractor/supervisor. These individuals each demonstrate excellence in their field and exhibit exceptional safety practices, contributing to the sustainable management of Maine’s forests.
Billy Taylor was presented with the 2025 Conventional CLP of the Year Award. “When you look at a career defined by exceptional harvesting work, what truly sets a logger apart? It’s consistency, and for Bill, it’s a standard of excellence maintained year after year. Not only is his work consistently high-quality, but he also boasts an impressive, perfect safety record, making him a truly exemplary Certified Logging Professional,” said Jim O’Malley.
Bill’s nomination highlighted something particularly special: his role as a mentor, which Jim O’Malley highlighted during the presentation. “Bill took a new logger under his wing, helping them quickly grasp not just the business aspects of logging, but also the high-quality, on-the-ground work that we expect. This guidance and mentorship are more than just a passing favor; they help ensure that this new logger has a long and successful future in the woods, while also contributing to the continued prosperity of this vital legacy industry here in Maine.”
Clint Morrow was presented with the 2025 Mechanical CLP of the Year Award, a recognition that is well deserved, given his extensive experience as a mechanical logger, particularly his instrumental role as the primary processor operator in the unique and challenging environment of Baxter State Park’s Scientific Forest Management Area (SFMA).
“For over two decades, Clint has been absolutely key to the success of harvest operations there, expertly executing the diverse prescriptions necessary to meet the complex ecological goals of the SFMA. Clint’s willingness to adopt new methods, coupled with his unwavering dedication to safety and high standards, has established him as a true leader in the logging industry.” Jim O’Malley remarked during the presentation,” His professionalism and tireless dedication truly embody the core values of the Certified Logging Professional program.”
Chandler Buie, the Chair of the Maine Tree Farm Program, and Patty Cormier, Maine’s State Forester and the Director of the Maine Forest Service, took the stage next to present the Maine Tree Farm Program awards.
Jay and Kathryn Libby of Cornville were presented with the Maine Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award, which honors family forest owners who go above and beyond in their commitment to conserving our natural resources while fostering the health and productivity of their woodland areas. The Libbys exemplify the values of the Maine Tree Farm Program through their stewardship of their 120-acre woodland, where they engage in a wide range of activities, from tapping maple trees and splitting firewood to improving wildlife habitat and harvesting sawlogs. The Libby family does it all, and it is a true family effort with four generations supporting Libby Maple Tree Farm. “The Libbys emerged as shining examples of what can be accomplished when passion for the land combines with hard work and a desire to share knowledge with the community.” Chandler Buie stated during the presentation.
Jesse Duplin was presented with the Inspecting Forester of the Year Award, which recognizes a volunteer forester who makes outstanding contributions to the Maine Tree Farm Program and goes above and beyond in serving Maine’s family forest owners. Jesse Duplin has distinguished himself by completing the most Tree Farm inspections over the past year. “An achievement he finally wrestles from Mike Dann after years of close competition,” Chandler jokes, before continuing. “Jesse brings meaning to every [Tree Farm] site visit, offering thoughtful insight, guidance, and a genuine connection to the landowners he serves.”
In addition to his role as an Inspecting Forester, Jesse has also contributed as the 2022-2024 Program Chair, serves as the Oxford County Tree Farm Chair, represented the Program at national conferences, and has participated in various program committees.
The Maine Tree Farm Program’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the lasting dedication of individuals who have consistently supported responsible forest management. This year, the honor was posthumously awarded to Robert Leso in recognition of his decades of devoted service to the Program and his unwavering efforts to support Maine’s family forest owners. Patty Cormier, fellow Tree Farm supporter and colleague of Bob, presented the award to Bob’s wife, Mimi Leso.
“I had the pleasure of working with Bob on a number of occasions, including carpooling to Tree Farm meetings. He was quiet at meetings until he wasn’t. And you can rest assured that when he did speak, his comments were well thought out and were given with passion. He loved his family deeply, loved his woodlot, and was satisfied with his career with the Maine Forest Service.“
Bob’s deep commitment to sustainable forestry and meaningful engagement with landowners has left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit the Maine Tree Farm Program, our community, and Maine’s forests.
The Anita Smith Project Learning Tree Steward Award honors individuals committed to environmental education who foster a lifelong appreciation and understanding of forests, their intricate ecological systems, and the role people play in forest resource management. This year's award was presented to Michele Charette, an educator from Penobscot Community School. Michele has gone above and beyond to engage her students and provide them opportunities to learn about and connect with the natural world.
With a teaching career spanning more than three decades, Michele's impact extends well beyond her classroom. “She is a master at bringing learning to life. Her students aren't just reading about science; they're doing science. Whether she’s guiding them through the delicate process of incubating and releasing salmon eggs, involving them in citizen science initiatives, or teaching them practical skills like conducting tick drags, Michele ensures her students are active participants in the real world. Her work is cultivating a generation that understands and values their natural surroundings,” said Logan Johnson, Executive Director, Maine TREE Foundation
The Sherry Huber Forest Champion Award is named for the organization's former Executive Director, Sherry Huber, who dedicated over two decades to growing the organization and championing forest-based education, including inspiring the flagship Forests of Maine Teachers' Tour. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to educating the public and students about Maine's forests and advancing forestry and forest product initiatives.
This year's recipient, Andy Shultz, was hailed as a "true Champion of Maine's Forests" by Jonathan Kelley of Huber Resources. Shultz's distinguished career, which spans industry, the Maine Forest Service, and consulting, is marked by a deep dedication to forest education. His enduring impact is evident through his work with the Maine Tree Farm Program, countless educational initiatives for students, and the creation of the publication "What Will My Woods Look Like?" In a beautiful connection to Sherry Huber's legacy, Kelley noted that Shultz was also involved in the initial program that directly inspired the Forests of Maine Teachers' Tour.
The Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award, presented annually by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) in partnership with the Maine TREE, is the premier recognition for individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional and sustainable management of Maine's working forests. The 2025 Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award was presented to The Nature Conservancy’s Maine Chapter (TNC) for its remarkable dedication to sustainable forest stewardship. Maine State Forester Patty Cormier noted TNC’s impactful efforts to maintain working forests, lead world-renowned stream restoration projects, and use prescribed fire to sustain rare ecosystems, and emphasized that these initiatives established TNC as a leader in Maine’s forestry landscape. Their collaborative approach and large-scale conservation efforts reflect a deep commitment to both environmental stewardship and the economic vitality of Maine's forest industry, truly embodying the essence of this award. Mark Berry, Forest Program Director of TNC’s Maine Chapter, accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the organization, while many TNC staff and trustees celebrated their collective achievement from the audience.
Maine TREE congratulates all those recognized this year for their invaluable contributions to Maine’s forests and thanks all those who attended for helping us celebrate the award winners' achievements. This event was made possible in part due to the generosity of its sponsors: Huber Resources Corp & Sewall Forestry, ED Bessey & Son, Katahdin Law, and Farm Credit East.
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