Wisconsin Cooperative Extension and Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association Honored with the 2010 National Family Forests Education Award
Since 1997 the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs (NAUFRP)--representing forestry school deans nationwide-- and the National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) have honored the educational institution which has delivered the most effective education program benefit family forest landowners. The 2010 winner is the WISCONSIN WOODLAND LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE developed by University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association. The program won from a field of eight candidates nationwide....
The national Family Forests Education Award is based on innovation, degree of faculty involvement on campus and in the woods, training materials, documented results. This year's winner is remarkable both for the active partnership of the state woodland owners association but also for the outreach they have offered to leaders of all of the state landowner association surrounding Wisconsin. In presenting the award to Dr. John Houghton, Associate Dean of UWSP's College of Natural Resources, NWOA President Keith Argow said "Leadership education is essential in developing effective state and county programs to get family forest landowners involved in responsible and sustainable stewardship. Today I am asking all forestry school deans to use this as a model for leadership training nationwide."
NAURP Awards Chair, Dr. Joseph McNeel, Director of the Division of Forestry at West Virginia University also cited the success of this important national award which has honored 15 university family forestry programs throughout the United States since 1997. Recent awardees include the University of Kentucky, Oregon State University, and the University of Florida.
