UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN FOREST MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

On Monday, March 3, 2008, US Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell--on behalf of the North American Forest Commission --recognized outstanding individuals--from Canada, Mexico and the United States-- who have advanced the mission of the Commission through their tireless commitment to the trilateral activities of their technical working groups.

Working Group Award Recipients
Seven members from the various countries were recognized at the ceremony, which was part of the first Integrated Working Group Meeting held in Arlington, Virginia:

On Monday, March 3, 2008, US Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell recognized outstanding individuals--from Canada, Mexico and the United States-- who have advanced the mission of the North American Forest Commission through their tireless commitment to the trilateral activities of their working groups. Seven members of various working groups were recognized at the ceremony:

1. Harry Hirvonen, retired, Canadian Forest Service (Forest Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment Working Group): Until his retirement, Harry was an active member of both the Forest Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment Working Group, and the Atmospheric Change and Forests Working Group. Harry co-authored and contributed to a number of technical papers and reports, and provided leadership in the development of a database of forest resources for the region. He also worked to define linkages and opportunities for collaboration with other working groups, an achievement which is particularly notable given the objectives of this week’s meeting. Harry was a dedicated member of the NAFC Working Groups and totally committed to their success.
   
2. Tom Ledig, US Forest Service (Forest Genetics Working Group): The members of the Forest Genetic Resources Working Group nominated Tom Ledig for recognition. Tom has contributed an overwhelming amount of his time and energy to the success of the group, and is its heart and soul--the glue which holds the Working Group together. Tom is a major contributor to all of the accomplishments of the working group since becoming a member 24 years ago, in 1984. Tom has invested a considerable amount of time training Mexican graduate students, researchers and forestry personnel, both as part of his research projects in Mexico and at his research institute in the United States.
   
3. Margaret Devall, US Forest Service (Silviculture Working Group): Margaret has been an active member of the Silviculture Working Group for over 18 years. According to her colleagues in her group, "[She] has a special talent for involving people at all levels in issues of common interest, bringing science and silviculture to them in an engaging way.” Her efforts have raised the profile of silviculture and the North American Forest Commission throughout the continent. In addition, her assistance as a translator has also been invaluable. It is a role she has assumed with sensitivity, accuracy and good humour.
   
4. Tom Frey, retired, US Bureau of Land Management (Fire Management Working Group): Tom, now retired, participated in the Fire Management Working group as a representative from U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. His colleagues recognize Tom’s spirit of cooperation, his infectious personality, and his knowledge of global wildland fire management, all qualities which made him an invaluable asset to the working group. Tom exemplified the word ‘ambassador’ to the Working Group.
   
5. Jaime Villa, National Forest Commission of Mexico (Insects and Diseases Working Group): As a delegate of Mexico , Jaime has been the leader of the Mexican team on the Insect and Disease WG since 2002, and was Chair of the working group for a 2-year term. He has supported and provided resources for the development of the Exotic Forest Pests Information System for North America (EXFOR), and the publication of the book on Forest Diseases of Mexico (2007). He was responsible along with other members of the WG group for the writing of the Invasive Plants Working Group Mandate.  
   
6. Ben Moody, Canadian Forest Service (Insects and Diseases Working Group): Ben Moody has been the leader of the Canadian team members on the Insect and Disease WG for many years and was Chair of the WG for a 2-year term. He has also supported and provided resources for the development of the Exotic Forest Pests Information System for North America (EXFOR), and the publication of the book on Forest Diseases of Mexico. Under NAFC, Ben has also sponsored and facilitated technology exchange and training through trilateral arrangements with Mexico and the US on forest health monitoring and management. Along with other members of the working group, he was responsible for the formation of the NAFC Invasive Plants Working Group and the writing of its Mandate.
   
7. Rob Mangold, US Forest Service (Insects and Diseases Working Group): Rob has been the leader of the USA team under the Insect and Disease WG since 2000 and was Chair of the Working Group for a 2-year term. He has also supported and provided resources for the development of the Exotic Forest Pests Information System for North America (EXFOR), and the publication of the book on Forest Diseases of Mexico. Under NAFC, Rob has also sponsored and facilitated technology exchange and training through bilateral arrangements with Mexico on forest health monitoring and management. Along with other members of the working group, he was responsible for the formation of the NAFC Invasive Plants Working Group and the writing of its Mandate. He chaired the first meeting of the Invasive Plants WG in Fredericton , NB , Canada in 2006.

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