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By Dena Martin
The Times 

Lisa Naylor Receives Presidential Field Foresters Award

Naylor continues to teach forestry and support local communities through volunteer service

 

November 23, 2017

Naylor continues to teach forestry and support local communities through volunteer service

WAITSBURG – Local volunteer Lisa Naylor traveled to Albequerque, NM last week, where she was presented with the Presidential Field Foresters Award for District 1 (Alaska, Inland Empire, Oregon and Washington) by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The award is given to those who have dedicated their professional careers to and displayed uncommon talent, skill, and innovation in forest management.

Steve McConnell, PhD, formerly a WSU extension forester in Spokane, nominated Naylor. He is currently a city forester in Billings, Mont.

"It is a real honor to have been a member for over 30 years and to be recognized for that work. It's especially meaningful to be recognized by your peers," Naylor said.

Naylor, who grew up in Portland, Ore., says the outdoors has been a passion since grade school.

"I love being outside in the trees. I knew at a young age what I wanted to do," she said.

Naylor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forest management from the University of Washington and is a Certified Forester with SAF and a Michigan Registered Forester. She recently completed training as a Qualified American Tree Farm System Inspector.

She spent 20 years working with the Forest Service and 10 years with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. For the last five years, she has volunteered as a field forester with the Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council.

In Alaska, she managed timber sales and pre-commercial thinning activities on remote southeast Alaska islands while protecting the habitat for threatened and endangered species. As a field forester in Michigan, she supervised forestry technicians and designed timber sales to enhance the residual stands.

She became an SAF member in 1977 and was awarded Forester of the Year of the Inland Empire SAF State Society in 2006. She currently serves as the Inland Empire SAF treasurer.

Naylor regularly partners with WSU Forestry Extension, NRCS, Forest Service and local producers to offer local forest health workshops and she works with the regional cooperative weed board to promote natural resource activities for visitors during local events.

In addition to her forestry work, Naylor is an active volunteer in both Waitsburg and Dayton. She serves on the Waitsburg Celebration Days Committee, has secured grants for the Waitsburg Fairgrounds and the Waitsburg City Pool, helps fund Salmon in the Classrooms, helps secure funding for the Dayton and Pomeroy swim teams, and is the creator and organizer of the annual Swim the Snake fundraiser.

She has always had an interest in leadership and natural resources education and teaches forestry, field skills and natural resources at Camp Wooten. She has also presented a forestry seminar at the Expanding Your Horizons conference; a program for middle school girls interested in science-based careers.

"There is a tremendous opportunity for women and people of color in the forestry field, which has not had a lot of opportunity. It's a great job if you enjoy being physical and working outdoors," Naylor said.

"This award is a feather in my cap. It's pretty cool!" she said.

 

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