State Conservationist for Forest Stewardship Awards Announced
Washington, D.C. – The American Forest Foundationannounced the 2008 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Forest Stewardship Awardees at the National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La. in February.
This award recognizes NRCS state conservationists and their staff for outstanding technical and financial assistance to private forestland owners on forest conservation activities. The NRCS State Conservationists work everyday to provide resources and support for private family forest owners to continue to be great stewards of the land.
Gary Kobylski, Alabama State Conservationist, Southern Region
Kobylski is chair of the Alabama Natural Resources Council State Technical Committee. Under his leadership as state conservationist, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding for forestry and wildlife practices has grown 110 percent to $1.7 million. Today, the NRCS and the Alabama Forestry Commission collaborate under a memorandum of agreement that created a new Forest Health Initiative under EQIP.
Kobylski initiated an innovative use of the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) for forestland conservation. Traditionally used for debris removal in streams. He recognized the benefits of dealing with the debris before it reaches streams. Following Hurrican Katrina, Kobylski approved the use of EWP funs for debris removal in woodlands and addressed the rapid spread of invasive species. To date, this funding has assisted alabama landowners with debris removal and prescribed burning on more than 325,000 acres.
Roger Hansen, Missouri State Conservationist, Central Region
Under Hansen’s leadership, Missouri’s NRCS has dramatically increased funding for forestry related practices in the EQIP program. Hanson welcomes participation of governmental and landowner-based interests on state technical committees and is responsive to ideas that advance forestry related spending in NRCS programs.
Recently, NRCS and the Missouri Department of Conservation have jointly funded an effort to contract with private forestry consultants to prepare 125 EQIP Prescribed Forestry plans. This project is viewed as a way to help create an environment conducive to increasing private forestry consultants in the state.
Gus Hughbanks, Washington State Conservationist, Western Region
In Washington state, Hughbanks fostered an effective partnership between the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the U.S. Forest Service. He authorized the adoption of Forest Stewardship plans as a component of NRCS conservation plans that made it possible for many family forest landowners to qualify for and obtain financial assistance and support from the NRCS.
Hughbanks is a distinguished action oriented leader who guides and supports his staff to pioneer innovative ways to use NRCS programs to support forestry conservation activities on private forestlands. Under his leadership, the NRCS recently developed a highly innovative marketing campaign to promote EQIP participation among family forest landowners. Through this effort and others, EQIP funding in Washington has increased to $1.2 million in 2008.
Richard “Dick” Coombe, Regional Assistant Chief, Eastern Region
Coombe has served as the Regional Assistant Chief for the NRCS’s Eastern region since 2004. He provides overall direction to NRCS programs and activities; and leadership and supervision to state conservationists in 24 states. In 2008, Coombe encouraged and directed his state conservationists to partner with state forestry agencies and to expland their conservation activities to include private forestland.
During his NRCS tenure, EQIP financial assistance to forest landowners in the Eastern region increased by 42 percent. Also, available funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program increased 55 percent. Forestry related conversation also increased significantly under Coombe’s management. Coombe knows first hand the benefits of these programs as the owner of a working farm and forest in New York state that has been in his family for three generations.
For more information please contact Brigitte Johnson, APR, Director of Communications, 202.463.5163, Email bjohnson@forestfoundation.org or visit ATFS at www.treefarmsystem.org
