NEWS

The American Forest Foundation honors Rich Sims as the Western Regional winner of the 2007 AFF NRCS State Conservation Award. AFF Senior Vice President Kathy McGlaugflin is shown presenting the award.

Richard Sims, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Idaho, received the 2007 Conservation Award from the American Forest Foundation. The AFF recognized Sims for his overall leadership and dedication in providing unprecedented levels of NRCS assistance to Idaho forestland owners.

The Idaho Department of Lands nominated Sims for the award, citing his understanding and appreciation of Idaho’s private forest resources and his efforts in using NRCS resources to help improve private forests statewide.

Kirk David, retired IDL Service Forestry Program Manager, worked extensively with Sims and NRCS staff as a member of the Idaho State Technical Committee and as the IDL liaison for the NRCS-IDL Technical Services Provider agreement.  In complimenting Sims on the award, David said “Rich had the wisdom and foresight to recognize the immense contribution that sustainable stewardship of Idaho’s forest resources provide to the economic and environmental health of Idaho.”

Since coming to Idaho in the late 1990’s, Sims and Idaho NRCS have partnered with the Idaho Forest Stewardship Committee and private forest owners to provide technical and financial assistance through the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program.  Sims has also supported efforts by Idaho Resource Conservation and Development areas in applying fuel reduction activities through national fire plan funding.

Under Sims’ leadership, the NRCS became very active in the Idaho forestry conservation community.  Representatives from various forestry groups and organizations were invited to participate in state and local working groups to help the NRCS and local conservation districts recognize and address forestry resource issues. 

AFF, the oldest forest landowner organization in America, promotes sustainable management of forest lands through education and outreach efforts. AFF recognized three NRCS state conservationists and their staffs for their efforts in providing outstanding technical and financial assistance to private forestland owners on forest conservation activities.  The award was presented in February as part of a national NRCS partnership meeting held in Reno, Nev., that honored outstanding employees and volunteers throughout the nation.

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