2025 Regional Inspectors and National Inspector of the Year
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is pleased to announce the 2025 Regional Inspectors and National Inspector of the Year (IOTY). Each year, state programs nominate extraordinary inspectors who are evaluated by AFF staff based on their accomplishments and activities in support of the Tree Farm program and the broader forestry and natural resource community. We are thrilled to congratulate Regine Skelton of Arkansas, Ryan Kilborn of Vermont, and Nick Kunz of Washington as 2025 Regional IOTYs, and we are honored to present Luke Walters of Ohio as the 2025 National IOTY.
Luke Walters - National, Midwest Region (Ohio)
Luke is a service forester in northeast Ohio and has been a Tree Farm inspector since 2016. His passion for helping landowners manage their land and his engaging personality make him a natural leader within the Ohio Tree Farm Program. Whether hosting innovative landowner events or mentoring families through the Tree Farm enrollment or inspection process, Luke has made a lasting impact not only on the Tree Farm program, but the forestry community in Ohio.
His creativity in engaging landowners is unmatched—he has organized events like a wild-game potluck dinner forestry tour and a tree identification workshop from a boat, drawing in new participants and making forestry education both accessible and enjoyable.
A testament to Luke’s ability to connect with and support Tree Farmers – he has nominated 2 eventual Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.
His enthusiasm and commitment have been a huge benefit to Ohio’s Tree Farm Program, and we’re proud to recognize Luke as the National Outstanding Tree Farm Inspector of the Year.
Regine Skelton - Southern Region (Arkansas)
Regine is a driving force behind the Arkansas Tree Farm Program. Her leadership, technical expertise, and dedication to the program’s success, As chair of Arkansas Tree Farm’s busiest district, Regine plays a critical role in growing landowners engagement and assuring the integrity of Tree Farm across the state.
She is on Arkansas TF’s communications committee and is a consistent presence at Tree Farm committee meetings, educational tours, and landowner conferences for all the partners and supporters. She’s coordinated tree planting efforts with a local Girl Scout troop restoring tornado-damaged communities, she is A UCF Representative for the Department of Ag’s Forestry Division, reinforcing the connection between forestry and community well-being.
Regine’s dedication to the Arkansas Tree Farm Program is evident in her hands-on approach to inspections, her commitment to improving communication, and her leadership in fostering an engaged and well-informed Tree Farm community. Her recognition as Southern Regional Inspector of the Year is well deserved, reflecting her outstanding contributions to the success and sustainability of the program.
Nick Kunz - Western Region (Washington)
A forester with a passion for the profession and the Tree Farm system, Nick’s leadership, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit have significantly strengthened the Washington state program and its reach.
His expertise in all things forestry, from GIS to silviculture and research, has been instrumental in developing innovations that are helpful for all involved in the Tree Farm program. A shining example is online mapping system Nick built that helps landowners and foresters identify Forests of Recognized Importance (FORI).Nick’s commitment to education is another defining aspect of his work. He has helped revive the annual Fall Education Seminar, a Washington Tree Farm marquee event. What started as a simple effort to host virtual meetings during the pandemic has evolved into always having hybrid events for landowners, allowing for in person and remote options for more landowners to participate.
Nick’s work and passions make him an asset to the Tree Farm community in Washington and beyond and have earned him earned him the Western Regional Tree Farm Inspector of the Year Award.
Ryan Kilborn – Northeast Region (Vermont)
A consulting forester for almost 15 years, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting Tree Farmers across the state. His contributions as an inspector, committee leader, and advocate for sound management have helped strengthen the Vermont Tree Farm Program and its landowner network.
Every year, not only is he re-inspecting and re-certifying landowners, he’s enrolling new ones, ensuring that Vermont’s Tree Farmers receive the guidance they need to remain certified and welcome new landowners to the fold. He has personally nominated or served as the forester for three of the last five Vermont Tree Farmers of the Year, showing his strong ties to the landowners he serves. Ryan also serves a role within the Vermont Tree Farm Committee as Vice-Chair. In this position, he leads the state’s Tree Farmer of the Year selection process, coordinating nominations, reviews, and event planning.
Recognized has twice been recognized Vermont’s Inspector of the Year for his efforts. His has certainly earned this award as a Regional Inspector of the Year, honoring his years of commitment and his role in the continued success of Vermont’s Tree Farm Program.