Rachel Jordan
(born 1935)
Inducted September 19, 2015
Plaque Engraving:
A dedicated supporter and innovative leader of efforts to improve management and sustainability of private forest lands, Rachel Biddick Jordan was a tireless promoter of environmental values and biotic diversity and a valued advisor to the forestry community.
More about Rachel Jordan:
Rachel (along with her late husband Don,) has spent her lifetime managing a tract of 700 acres of hardwoods trees in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin near Dodgeville. She became active in the Wiscosnin Woodland Owners Association (WWOA,) and the American Tree Farm Program, and became a leader in both organizations. After becoming Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year in 1994, a crowning achievement was having her Tree Farm recognized as the best one in the United States, and Rachel being named the National Tree Farmer of the year in 1996. Rachel was the first ever National tree Farmer of the Year from Wisconsin.
Rachel spent countless hours teaching landowners and other resource professionals, as well as scouting groups, grade school classes, women’s club groups, and any other group who would ask to visit her tree farm. Many Woodland Owner meetings and field tours have been held at her woodland.
She was well known for her educational tours and talks that show the latest sustainable forestry practices in Wisconsin. She has been a frequent speaker at forest landowner meetings, workshops, and conferences throughout the Lake States, and has been a frequent guest of Wisconsin Public Radio and Television on the same subjects.
She represented three Wisconsin Forestry Organizations at the 7th American Forest Congress in Washington DC, and also on several State Legislative Councils on Forestry and Wildlife practices and regulations, as well as several Forester Certification, and Master Logger review boards.
She served in many Forest Leadership capacities including 12 years on the Governor’s Council on Forestry, advising legislative and policy issues in Forestry. She served on the Governor’s Council Executive Board for most all of that time period. Rachel chaired the National Public Affairs Committee of the American Tree Farm system, and met with legislators in our nations capitol. 6 years was spent on the Wisconsin Woodland Owner’s Association board of directors, serving as President, and Executive Director during portions of that time. Her tree farm hosted 2 WWOA annual field days in 1987, and 1997. And she served as the first president of the WWOA foundation, and was a direstor of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Walnut Council for 6 years, serving in many capacities.
Rachel had the ability to speak to groups on Forestry issues from the Landower’s point of view. In 1986, where Rachel brought loggers, private woodland owners, and private and DNR Foresters together to develop a publication for landowners about forest management and timber harvesting entitled “Working Together in Your Woodlot.” That publication has been re-printed many times, and still is in use today.
