ATFS Honors Colorado Tree Farmer Wes Rutt
The Colorado Tree Farmer was recognized on February 24 during the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Englewood, Colorado. Also in attendance was wife Nicki, who takes charge of hauling away logs and splitting firewood on their 40 forested acres in Bellvue.
The national award recognizes a volunteer who has been instrumental in accomplishing the vision and goals of ATFS, a program of the American Forest Foundation. Rutt, and many other devoted volunteers like him, work to sustain forests, watersheds and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship.
Rutt, a dedicated ATFS volunteer forester for more than 18 years, is the outreach and education chair of the Colorado State Tree Farm System. In 2001, he ran and completed the Boston Marathon. Two years later, this level of dedication, energy and enthusiasm helped the Rutts gain recognition as 2003 Colorado Tree Farmers of the Year. Wes Rutt also received last month a tribute on the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives for his exemplary outreach and education efforts. You can watch the Colorado House acknowledge Rutt in this “Tribute to Tree Farming” video on his YouTube channel. An exciting honor!
The 2010 awardee has worked for years to promote the benefits of ATFS, a program that was founded in 1941 to help family forest owners like Rutt who are committed to excellence in forest stewardship.
Contact me at acooke@forestfoundation.org to get in contact with Wes Rutt, and to learn more about the annual National Field Leadership Award.
