Ouachita Society of American Foresters
Awards
National Awards
The national Society of American Foresters celebrates and honors scientists, researchers, educators, innovators, leaders, communicators, field foresters, employers, local SAF units, and others that have made significant impact on forestry in the United States and internationally. Use the button below for more information.
Fellows
This distinguished recognition is considered by many SAF members as the highest honor that our professional organization may bestow upon our members. Nominees must demonstrate both of the following:
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A strong continuing commitment to SAF, through direct SAF volunteer activities
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Exemplary action, sustained leadership, and advancement of the forestry profession in at least one of the following areas:
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application of forestry
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education
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public policy
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research
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technology transfer
The nomination procedure is far more detailed than what is utilized for the above OSAF awards. Use the button below to view full details and instructions on the National SAF website.
Electronic copies of Fellow nomination instructions, the Fellow nomination consent form, and the Fellow nominee biographical sketch that must accompany a nomination may be obtained directly from the OSAF Council Members, Fellows and Awards Chair.
According to Ouachita SAF protocol, all nominations of members for the honor of Fellow must be submitted to the OSAF Council Members, Fellows and Awards Committee for initial screening and further submission by our OSAF committee to the District Fellows Committee.
Ouachita Awards
The awards program of the Ouachita SAF closely mirrors the National SAF awards program. Our awards are similar in category and concept, though the names may be different for several awards. We strive to give credit where credit is due, for exemplary professional achievement and service to our professional organization.
Ouachita SAF members are encouraged to nominate fellow Ouachita SAF members for our awards. We have streamlined the process in an effort to attract a worthy and diverse nomination pool. The process is rather straightforward. Except where otherwise noted for a specific award, individual members may nominate their fellow members, or members may nominate themselves.
Nominations must include two items. Each must address the award criteria:
1) A biographical sketch of the nominee (not to exceed two pages).
2) One letter of nomination or endorsement from an Ouachita SAF colleague (not to exceed one page).
Nominations must be received by November 1st. They will be reviewed by the Ouachita SAF Council Members, Fellows and Awards Committee. Recipients will be announced at the next annual Ouachita SAF meeting, and will be presented with an award certificate.
Lifetime Achievement Forestry Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Gifford Pinchot Medal
Recognizes a full, solid and meritorious career of outstanding contributions, exemplary actions, and diverse achievement by a forestry professional in the administration, practice, development and advancement of forestry at the local, regional and national level.
Young Forester Leadership Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Young Forester Leadership Award
Recognizes outstanding leadership by a young forestry professional in the development and promotion of an individual program or project, and recognizes a young forester in an emerging leadership role benefiting the practice of forestry and SAF. Nominees must be under 40 years of age at the close of the nomination deadline.
Field Forester Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Field Forester Award
Recognize foresters who have dedicated their professional careers to the application of forestry on the ground using sound, scientific methods and adaptive management strategies, and who have a demonstrated creative talent, practical skills, innovative methods, and a consistent professional demeanor to achieve a record of excellence in the application and pursuit of forest management. Nominees must have practiced forestry for at least ten years and may represent any employment sector.
Forestry Science Research Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Barrington Moore Memorial Award and the Award in Forest Science
Recognizes distinguished research in forestry and disciplines allied to forestry and forest resource management that has resulted in substantial advances in the knowledge and practice of forestry at any level. Evaluation is based on research quality, productivity, innovation, and impact.
Outstanding Communicator Award
Mirrors the National SAF's W.D. Hagenstein Communicator Award
Recognizes demonstrated innovative and exemplary communications initiatives and programs, in service to the forestry profession and SAF, and/or aimed at increasing the general publics understanding of forestry and natural resources. This may include outreach to SAF members, the media, educators, youth groups, community groups, environmental organizations, and policy makers, as well as the general public.
Volunteer Leadership Award
Mirrors the National SAF's John A. Beale Memorial Award
Recognizes outstanding efforts over a sustained period of time by an OSAF member in the promotion of forestry through voluntary service to the Society. Nominees must demonstrate a strong continuing commitment to volunteer work supporting the SAF and its members which furthers the cause of forestry. Nominations are only accepted from OSAF state divisions and each state division may nominate only one candidate each year.
Forest Policy Enhancement Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Sir William Schlich Memorial Award
Recognizes outstanding leadership and diverse contribution to the practice and profession of forestry with emphasis on forest policy and associated national and/or international activities.
Forestry Educator Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Carl Alwin Schenck Award
Recognizes outstanding performance and achievement in the field of forestry education, including devotion to the instruction of forestry; setting high professional and educational standards for students; demonstration of outstanding service to professional education; and development of teaching methods that are characterized by imparting competent knowledge through dynamic communication skills and creative techniques. Nominees must have ten years minimum of professional teaching experience.
Technology Transfer Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Technology Transfer Award
Recognizes outstanding professionalism, leadership, innovation, and achievement in technology transfer and extension, assuring that sound technical information becomes available to those concerned, allied, and involved in the management and conservation of forest resources, and successfully implemented at the regional, national, and/or international level.
Outstanding Forestry Journalism Award
Mirrors the National SAF's Outstanding Forestry Journalism Award
Recognizes high quality journalistic coverage of forestry and forestry issues that increase the American publics awareness and understanding of forestry and natural resources, utilizing any media format (print, electronic, television, radio).
50 Year "Golden Member" Certificate
When a member reaches 50 years of membership, their long-term commitment and participation is celebrated and recognized with a 50 Year Certificate.​
Arkansas Division Awards
The Arkansas Division, Ouachita Society of American Foresters likes to recognize members who go above and beyond to bring value to the Division and field of forestry as a whole. The Arkansas Division hosts three Awards: the Arkansas Foresters' Hall of Fame Award, Ted Chancey Career Forester Award, and Dr. Timothy Ku Outstanding Educator Award. You can nominate an Arkansas member for any of these awards using the button below.
Arkansas Foresters' Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame is a function of and sponsored by the Arkansas Division. The objective, purpose, or intent of the Hall of Fame is to honor residents or former residents of Arkansas, living or deceased, who have made outstanding contributions to the forestry profession in Arkansas, other states, or internationally. It is the intent of the Arkansas Division that election to the Hall of Fame is the highest honor and recognition of professional service a foresters may receive in Arkansas.
Ted Chancey Career Forester Award
Recognizes a full, solid and meritorious career of outstanding contributions, exemplary actions, and diverse achievement by a forestry professional in the administration, practice, development, and advancement of forestry at the local, regional, and national level.
Dr. Timothy Ku Outstanding
Educator Award
Recognizes outstanding performance and achievement in the field of forestry education, including devotion to the instruction of forestry; setting high professional and educational standards for students; demonstration of outstanding service to professional education; and development of teaching methods that are characterized by imparting competent knowledge through dynamic communication skills and creative techniques. Nominees must have ten years minimum of professional teaching experience.
Oklahoma Division Awards
The Oklahoma Division, Ouachita Society of American Foresters likes to recognize members who go above and beyond to bring value to the Division and field of forestry as a whole. The Oklahoma Division hosts two Awards: the Nat Walker Award and Ted Silker Award. You can nominate an Oklahoma member for either of these awards using the button below.
Nat Walker Award
Awarded to a veteran member of the Oklahoma Division, with 15 years or more of exemplary service to SAF and the forestry community at all levels. Honors the late Nat Walker of the OSU Forestry faculty.
Ted Silker Award
Awarded to a member of the Oklahoma Division with less than 15 years of exemplary service to SAF and the forestry community at any level. Honors the late Ted Silker of the OSU Forestry faculty.