|
2022 Awards |
|
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE SOCIETY
Matt Russell Associate Professor, University of Minnesota |
OUTSTANDING MEMBER
Emma Schultz Community Forest Project Specialist, MN DNR |
|
YOUNG FORESTER LEADERSHIP
Rachael Dube Forest Health Specialist, MN DNR |
OUTSTANDING MEMBER
Kyle Gill Forest Manager & Research Coordinator, University of Minnesota |
2022 MNSAF Award Recipient Bios
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE SOCIETY
Dr. Matthew Russell is an associate professor in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota and the co-advisor for the student chapter of the Society of American Foresters and Forestry Club at the University of Minnesota since 2014. While these are two separate clubs at the University of Minnesota, students often jointly participate in the clubs. Dr. Russell has demonstrated a continuous commitment connecting students to SAF and to forestry within Minnesota. One of the biggest events the UMN Forestry Club hosts is the annual Christmas tree sale, which requires ordering, selling, and managing the logistics of hundreds of evergreen trees. During 2020, Forestry Club did not host the tree sale due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a loss of institutional memory of tree sale logistics within the Club. Dr. Russell went above and beyond during the 2021 year to ensure that this tradition could continue, allowing students to gain valuable leadership experience, earn income (these are paid positions for working the tree lot), and also connect with alumni and others while working the tree lot. Dr. Russell was out there unloading trees, during multiple shifts during weekends and weekdays to ensure sound financial management and safe operations. This service continues to connect students to SAF and continues to build an important link from universities and colleges into the professional settings. This is on top of the work Dr. Russell does locally in his position at an Associate Professor in the Department of Forest Resources and as an Extension Specialist.
In addition to Dr. Russell’s local involvement within SAF, Dr. Russell has served multiple years on the national organizing committee for the national conference. This continues to highlight important state and regional issues and opportunities. At the 2021 conference, Dr. Russell hosted a panel discussion on forestry education during the pandemic, which included Dr. Eli Sagor – highlighting innovative forestry and education practices occurring within Minnesota.
OUTSTANDING MEMBER
Emma Schultz has demonstrated outstanding service to SAF in all levels of the organization. Emma has been an SAF member since 2007 when she joined as a student member. In the years since, Emma has consistently volunteered her time in service of the society. She has served as the Poster Session Coordinator for the 2011 National Convention in Honolulu, Secretary of New England SAF from 2012-2015, Chair-Elect MN Southern Chapter in 2021, and was a member of the Planning Committee for the 2021 Lake States Leadership Academy. Currently, Emma serves as the Chair of Minnesota’s Southern Chapter and is a member of the Communications Committee and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Emma works as a Community Forest Project Specialist for the Minnesota DNR.
Kyle Gill
Over the past several years, Kyle has demonstrated a strong commitment to SAF and the profession of forestry. Kyle served as the Chair of the Lake Superior Chapter in 2019 and 2020, Chair-elect for the state society in 2021, and is currently serving as the Chair of the Minnesota State Society. In addition, Kyle has helped to organize several Minnesota SAF events, including the 2020, 2021, and 2022 annual winter meetings, as well as several field tours. Outside of his service to SAF, Kyle works as the Forest Manager and Research Coordinator for the UMN Experimental Forests, including the Cloquet Forestry Center.
YOUNG FORESTER LEADERSHIP AWARD
Rachel Dube
Over the past year, Rachael has proven to be one of the most dedicated members of Minnesota SAF spending countless hours toward the Societies’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. In early 2021, MN SAF approved a new DEI Committee. Rachel was selected to serve as the committee’s chair and has done an outstanding job in developing to foundation of this committee, and has several projects currently underway. In this work, Rachel has demonstrated strong leadership skills and a strong commitment to continual improvement within SAF and the profession as a whole. Outside of SAF, Rachel works as a Forest Health Specialist with the Minnesota DNR.
Dr. Matthew Russell is an associate professor in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota and the co-advisor for the student chapter of the Society of American Foresters and Forestry Club at the University of Minnesota since 2014. While these are two separate clubs at the University of Minnesota, students often jointly participate in the clubs. Dr. Russell has demonstrated a continuous commitment connecting students to SAF and to forestry within Minnesota. One of the biggest events the UMN Forestry Club hosts is the annual Christmas tree sale, which requires ordering, selling, and managing the logistics of hundreds of evergreen trees. During 2020, Forestry Club did not host the tree sale due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a loss of institutional memory of tree sale logistics within the Club. Dr. Russell went above and beyond during the 2021 year to ensure that this tradition could continue, allowing students to gain valuable leadership experience, earn income (these are paid positions for working the tree lot), and also connect with alumni and others while working the tree lot. Dr. Russell was out there unloading trees, during multiple shifts during weekends and weekdays to ensure sound financial management and safe operations. This service continues to connect students to SAF and continues to build an important link from universities and colleges into the professional settings. This is on top of the work Dr. Russell does locally in his position at an Associate Professor in the Department of Forest Resources and as an Extension Specialist.
In addition to Dr. Russell’s local involvement within SAF, Dr. Russell has served multiple years on the national organizing committee for the national conference. This continues to highlight important state and regional issues and opportunities. At the 2021 conference, Dr. Russell hosted a panel discussion on forestry education during the pandemic, which included Dr. Eli Sagor – highlighting innovative forestry and education practices occurring within Minnesota.
OUTSTANDING MEMBER
Emma Schultz has demonstrated outstanding service to SAF in all levels of the organization. Emma has been an SAF member since 2007 when she joined as a student member. In the years since, Emma has consistently volunteered her time in service of the society. She has served as the Poster Session Coordinator for the 2011 National Convention in Honolulu, Secretary of New England SAF from 2012-2015, Chair-Elect MN Southern Chapter in 2021, and was a member of the Planning Committee for the 2021 Lake States Leadership Academy. Currently, Emma serves as the Chair of Minnesota’s Southern Chapter and is a member of the Communications Committee and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Emma works as a Community Forest Project Specialist for the Minnesota DNR.
Kyle Gill
Over the past several years, Kyle has demonstrated a strong commitment to SAF and the profession of forestry. Kyle served as the Chair of the Lake Superior Chapter in 2019 and 2020, Chair-elect for the state society in 2021, and is currently serving as the Chair of the Minnesota State Society. In addition, Kyle has helped to organize several Minnesota SAF events, including the 2020, 2021, and 2022 annual winter meetings, as well as several field tours. Outside of his service to SAF, Kyle works as the Forest Manager and Research Coordinator for the UMN Experimental Forests, including the Cloquet Forestry Center.
YOUNG FORESTER LEADERSHIP AWARD
Rachel Dube
Over the past year, Rachael has proven to be one of the most dedicated members of Minnesota SAF spending countless hours toward the Societies’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. In early 2021, MN SAF approved a new DEI Committee. Rachel was selected to serve as the committee’s chair and has done an outstanding job in developing to foundation of this committee, and has several projects currently underway. In this work, Rachel has demonstrated strong leadership skills and a strong commitment to continual improvement within SAF and the profession as a whole. Outside of SAF, Rachel works as a Forest Health Specialist with the Minnesota DNR.
MNSAF Award Criteria
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE SOCIETY AWARD
The award recognizes the outstanding individual MN SAF member with broad contributions to the practice of forestry. Emphasis will be placed on accomplishments and activities during the past year but not to the exclusion of other significant lifetime activities. Consideration can be given but not limited to advancement and implementation of forest biology, policy activities, professional development, promotion of forestry and service to SAF.
OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD
This award recognizes up to three MN SAF members for their service to SAF. Emphasis shall be placed on their service during the previous year, but consideration shall be given for their service to SAF over a sustained period of time. Service may include outstanding work for a chapter, the Minnesota society and/or the national SAF.
YOUNG FORESTER LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Minnesota SAF Young Forester Leadership Award, recognizes a young forester for their development and promotion of a project or program benefitting the practice of forestry and SAF.
The award recognizes the outstanding individual MN SAF member with broad contributions to the practice of forestry. Emphasis will be placed on accomplishments and activities during the past year but not to the exclusion of other significant lifetime activities. Consideration can be given but not limited to advancement and implementation of forest biology, policy activities, professional development, promotion of forestry and service to SAF.
OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD
This award recognizes up to three MN SAF members for their service to SAF. Emphasis shall be placed on their service during the previous year, but consideration shall be given for their service to SAF over a sustained period of time. Service may include outstanding work for a chapter, the Minnesota society and/or the national SAF.
YOUNG FORESTER LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Minnesota SAF Young Forester Leadership Award, recognizes a young forester for their development and promotion of a project or program benefitting the practice of forestry and SAF.