Awards Committee

Wisconsin SAF Recognition Opportunities:

Mike King WISAF Field Forester of the Year Award

Contact: Christel Kern, WI SAF Awards Chair (christel.c.kern@usda.gov).

John Macon Award

This is an award that is unique to our State to recognize an outstanding WI-SAF member from within the Wisconsin Society of American Foresters for their outstanding contributions to forestry in Wisconsin. The purpose is to recognize outstanding efforts over a sustained period of time by a WI-SAF member in the promotion of forestry through voluntary service to the Society. Nominations due by no later than July 1. Once the recipient is chosen, a plaque and certificate are presented at the annual statewide meeting.

The award was established in 1979 and funded by an endowment from the estate of John W. Macon, a former Timberlands Manager for Consolidated Papers.

Nominees for the John Macon Award must demonstrate a strong continuing commitment to volunteer work supporting WI-SAF and its members which furthers the cause of forestry. Nominees must be members of the WI-Society of American Foresters. Evaluation will be based on:

1. Leadership in Volunteer Work Supporting WISAF
2. Promotion of Forestry
3. Evidence of outstanding efforts over a sustained period of time.

Nominations should contain: A nomination letter from the person(s) placing the individual, project, or team, in nomination AND a biographical sketch (not to exceed three pages), including education, experience, and evidence of complying with the spirit of the award.

Recipients of the John Macon Award:

2021, Gary Vander Wyst
2019, Jane Severt
2018, Tom Hittle
2017, Brad Hutnik
2015, Christine Thomas
2010, John E. Houghton
2009, James “Jay” Gallagher
2008, Allan Waelchli
2007, Ronald Jones
2006, Jane Cummings Carlson
2005, Robert Engelhard
2004, Gene Francisco
2002, Miles Benson
2000, John Grosman
1999, John Kotar
1998, Al Barden
1997, Charlie Higgs
1996, Al Nelson
1993, Christy Hauge
1991, John Seaman
1988, James Hovind
1986, Milton Reinke
1985, Ralph Swanson
1984, Jay Cravens
1983, Frank Fixmer
1982, Bob Petry
1981, Bill Sylvester

Mike King WISAF Field Forester of the Year Award

This award is unique to the Wisconsin Society of American Foresters and will recognize a member for their outstanding contributions to field forestry. The recipient must have practiced field forestry for at least 15 years, the majority of which must be in applied field forestry. Recipient should demonstrate a career dedicated to the application of forestry on the ground using sound scientific methods and adaptive management strategies. The award is funded by an investment from the state society. Nominations due by no later than July 1. Once the recipient is chosen, a plaque and certificate are presented at the annual statewide meeting.

Also, the award recipient will be the state society nominee to the SAF District V Review Committee to be considered for the National SAF Presidential Field Forester of the Year Award.

Nominees must be members of the WI-Society of American Foresters. Nominees will be evaluate for their distinguished commitment to professional applied forestry and going above and beyond to use sound scientific methods and adaptive management strategies. Nominations should contain: A nomination letter from the person(s) placing the individual, project, or team, in nomination AND a biographical sketch (not to exceed three pages), including education, experience, and evidence of complying with the spirit of the award.

Recipients of the King Award:

2022, Darrell Pierson
2021, James (Jim) Bednar
2020, Joseph Rademacher
2017, Anthony Rynish
2016, Laura Giese
2015, Jeffrey Kante
2011, Sue Crowley
2010, Kimberly “Kim” Quast
2009, Mark Gawron
2008, Julie Peltier
2007, Nina Stensberg
2006, Ray Amiel

SAF Fellow

Outstanding contributions to the Society of American Foresters are recognized through the title of Fellow. Those members who have provided outstanding contributions to the Society and to the forestry profession are recognized with the title of Fellow. Candidates are determined by a District Fellow Committee within each SAF Voting District.

WI SAF Fellows, by year of award, are:

2021, Paul Doruska
2019, Tom Hittle
2017, Julie Peltier
2015, James Kerkman
2012, Vander Wyst, Gary J., CF
2009, Radcliffe, Samuel J.
2009, Gallagher, James M. CF
2008, Kotar, John CF
2006, Rogers, Robert CF
2006, Czysz, David J. CF
2003, Kiefer, Willard D.
2002, Meier, Richard J.
2002, Barden, Alvin L.
2001, Nelson, Alvin E.
2000, Reinke, Milton E.
2000, Grosman, John M.
1997, Schumann, David R.
1995, Vande Hei, Gerald L.
1991, Moore, J. Terry
1991, Hovde, Sydney B.
1991, Connaughton, Kent P.
1990, Vrablec, John J.
1989, Thiede, Gerald J. SF
1989, Roberts, Russell H.
1989, Lovestead, Howard S.
1988, Ziemann, Frederick
1988, Einspahr, Dean W.
1985, Swanson, Ralph G.
1985, Peterson, Donald E.
1985, Engelhard, Robert J.
1984, Cravens, Jay H.
1982, Sylvester, William A.

Julie Peltier Award

An award presented to a project, team, or an individual to recognize efforts to further the inclusion of women and/or minorities, or contributions of women and/or minorities, to sustainable forest management in Wisconsin. Nominations due by no later than July 1. Once the recipient is chosen, a plaque and certificate are presented at the annual statewide meeting.

Recipients of the Julie Peltier Award:

2023, Colleen Matula
2022, Wisconsin Women in Conservation
2021, WI SAF Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
2020, No Awardee
2019, Nancy Bozek

Innovation in Forestry Award

An award presented to a project, team, or an individual to recognize excellence in silvicultural innovation, transfer of knowledge, and/or outreach for the purpose of furthering sustainable forest management in Wisconsin. Nominations due by no later than July 1. Once the recipient is chosen, a plaque and certificate are presented at the annual statewide
meeting.

Recipients of the Innovation in Forestry Award:

2023, Stephen Handler
2022, Michael Demchik
2021, Ben Knaack
2020, Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Department
2019, Nick Koltz