Posted: 12.09.2010

The Woodland Leadership Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point received the 2010 National Family Forests Education Award for leadership and outreach programs that benefit family forest landowners.

The National Association of University Forest Resources Programs, representing forestry school deans and the National Woodland Owners Association, selects one educational institution each year based on innovation, degree of faculty involvement on campus and in the woods, training materials and documented results. The institute was selected from a field of eight candidates nationwide.

The Woodland Leadership Institute was developed by the College of Natural Resources (CNR) staff in partnership with the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association in 2001. John DuPlissis, forestry outreach specialist, has directed the institute since 2002.

In presenting the award to John Houghton, associate dean of the CNR, National Woodland Owners Association 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.”

Fifteen university family forestry programs throughout the United States have won this prestigious award since 1997. Recent awardees include the University of Kentucky, Oregon State University and the University of Florida.

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