Forest Landowner Awards

FLA Awards & Recipients

The Forest Landowners Association’s (FLA) Awards Program aims to recognize outstanding landowners and forestry professionals contributing to the advancement of the private forest landowner community.

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Learn More About Our Awards

The Forest Landowners Association and The Forest Landowners Foundation present awards each year at the Annual Conference of Private Forest Landowners held during the summer.

To nominate landowners and professionals for our highest honors, you must include a written statement of the nominee’s accomplishments, projects, publications, and any other pertinent information addressing the desired qualities listed below in the awards criteria.

Forest Landowner of the Year*

Individual, not a corporation
FLA member in good standing
Suggested minimum land ownership time of 10+ years
Outreach or promotion of land ownership and/or forestry
Use of professional forestry advice and/or forestry expertise
Involved in advocacy or leadership for private forest landowners.

Extension Forester of the Year Award*

Awarded to an individual
Dedication to landowner education
Minimum time in the practice of 5 years
Presents or publishes education material geared toward private landowners
Interacts with private landowners individually or in groups
Personal contribution to FLA is desirable, but not required

Next Generation Forest Landowner of the Year Award*

Under the age of 50
FLA member in good standing
Recipient may either own land himself/herself or work in a family business with land but must be actively involved in the management of the forestland
Active in state/local associations and FLA

*These awards depend on nominations sent in from other forest landowners.

Association and Foundation Nominated Awards

Partner of the Year
Consulting Forester of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Leadership Award
Foundation Champion of the Year

Past Award Winners

2023 Award Winners

Forest Landowner of the Year

Reese Thompson

Next Generation Landowner of the Year

Carter Crosby

Extension Forester of the Year

Dr. Adam Maggard

FLA Leadership Award

Advance Land and Timber

Consulting Forester of the Year

Steve Templin

Corporate Partner of the Year

ArborGen

Foundation Champion of the Year

Joe Hopkins

2022 Award Winners

Forest Landowner of the Year

Gray Skipper

Next Generation Landowner of the Year

Eric Clapp

Extension Forester of the Year

David Dickens

FLA Leadership Award

John Pait

Consulting Forester of the Year

Marshall Thomas

Foundation Champion of the Year

Harry and Jackie Haney

2021 Award Winners

Forest Landowner of the Year

Barrett McCall

Next Generation Landowner of the Year

Alex Ingraham

Extension Forester of the Year

David Coyle

Corporate Recognition

Enviva

Consulting Forester of the Year

Mary Clapp

Foundation Champion of the Year

Robert Crosby

Past Forest Landowner of the Year Recipients

2020 – Earl and Wanda Barrs
2019 – Phil Harden
2018 – Hayes Brown
2017 – Joe Hopkins
2016 – Johney Haralson

Past Next Generation Landowner of the Year Recipients

2020 – Pete Herron
2019 – Andy Barrs
2018 – Michael Crowell
2017- Alexandra Richman
2016 – Hudson Hines

Past Extension Forester of the Year Recipients

2020 – David Merker
2019 – No recipient
2018 – David J. Moorhead
2017 – Tom Straka
2016 – Steve McKeand

Past Corporate Recognition Recipients

2020 – Resource Management Service
2019 – PGIM Real Estate Finance
2018 – IFCO
2017 – Forest Investment Associates
2016 – Crop Production Services

Past Consulting Forester of the Year Recipients

2020 – Scott Rowland
2019 – Forest Resource Consultants
2018 – Bob Williams
2017 – No recipient
2016 – Frank Brooks

Past Foundation Champion Recipients

2020 – Jane Hearn
2019 – Lee Wright
2018 – No recipient
2017 – No recipient
2016 – No recipient

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

2019 – Bill Seigel
2018 – Blake Sullivan
2016 – Harry and Jackie Haney
2014 – Jane Hearn