The Nature Conservancy in Maine (TNC) will be recognized for its dedication and contributions to sustainable forest management on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during Maine TREE’s Forest Awards Night at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon. The organization is set to receive the Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award, presented annually by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) in partnership with the Maine Timber Research & Environmental Education Foundation (Maine TREE).

"This award is the premier recognition for individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional and sustainable management of Maine's working forests," said Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

TNC has been at the forefront of innovative forest conservation and stewardship for decades, according to DACF. Its work has protected over one million acres of forests, rivers, and coastlines across the state.

"Through landmark projects such as the Katahdin Forest and Mount Katahdin acquisitions, the St. John River watershed conservation, and sustainable forest management on its own lands, TNC has demonstrated how conservation and economic vitality can thrive together, " said DACF. By maintaining working forests, ensuring access for recreation, and supporting rural economies, the organization embodies the balance of ecological health and community well-being that the Wilkins Award celebrates.

"TNC continues to lead on climate-smart forestry practices and innovative conservation strategies," said DACF. "The organization is advancing large-scale forest restoration projects, implementing sustainable harvesting on its lands, and supporting community forestry programs that create new opportunities for rural Maine. Through its work in carbon markets and climate mitigation, TNC is helping Maine’s forests play a key role in addressing climate change while sustaining jobs and local economies. By combining science-based research, partnerships with loggers and landowners, and education programs that reach the next generation, TNC is ensuring Maine’s forests remain resilient in the face of future challenges."

DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal said: "The Nature Conservancy has been an exemplary leader in forest stewardship. Their commitment to conservation and community has shaped a vision for Maine’s forests that is as practical as it is inspiring. This recognition honors decades of collaborative work that ensures our forests remain resilient, productive, and accessible for generations to come."

“Maine’s forests are the heart of our state’s geography, economy, and identity,” said State Director for The Nature Conservancy in Maine Kate Dempsey. “We are so grateful for this recognition, and especially for the decades of close collaboration and trusted partnerships we enjoy with landowners, the forest products industry, conservation partners, and the State of Maine. Maine’s forests are essential to our future.”

"The Nature Conservancy’s efforts highlight the best of what sustainable forest management can achieve,” said Maine State Forester Patty Cormier. “Their projects demonstrate how to balance ecological health with the needs of Maine people and communities, ensuring forests provide environmental, economic, and cultural benefits.”

"The Nature Conservancy’s lasting contributions to Maine’s forest landscape exemplify the vision of Austin Wilkins,” said Maine TREE Executive Director Logan Johnson. “Their leadership in landscape-scale conservation, science-based management, and collaboration across Maine's forest community has set a standard for stewardship that strengthens both Maine’s forests and the communities that depend on them.”

Tickets for the third annual Forest Awards Night can be purchased online at www.mainetree.org. For more information, contact the Maine TREE Foundation at info@mainetree.org or (207) 621-9872.

About the Award

The Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award, bestowed annually through a partnership between the DACF and Maine TREE, is a prestigious accolade. Since 2004, the award has recognized landowners, individuals, and organizations that exemplify exceptional and sustainable forest management practices, echoing the vision of the award's namesake, Austin H. Wilkins.

Mr. Wilkins pioneered the development of the MFS and dedicated his life to safeguarding Maine's forests, notably leading the fight against the devastating forest fires in 1947. His unwavering commitment to forest stewardship and his instrumental role in establishing a forest fire compact among New England states, New York, New Brunswick, and Quebec have left an indelible mark on our state's history.

About Maine TREE

In collaboration with numerous partners, Maine TREE is celebrating over three decades of educating and advocating for the sustainable use of forests and the ecological, economic, and social well-being of Maine’s forest community. Its programs engage students, teachers, forest professionals, landowners, and the public to foster values that support healthy forest ecosystems and sustainable forest management.