AUGUSTA, Maine — Dan Jacobs of Littleton has been an integral part of the forestry culture in northern Maine for a number of years.
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Maine Forest Service (MFS) recognized Jacobs for his efforts by presenting him with the 2021 Outstanding Forester Award. Jacobs was presented his award at the 61st Maine Forest Products Council Annual meeting at Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, held Sept. 20.
“I was surprised and honored to receive an award from such an important organization with Maine’s forest products industry,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs is a longtime forestry community member, having served as district forester with the MFS for 21 years in Island Falls.
“Dan is a true teacher, educator, forest practitioner, and messenger for safety in forestry operations,” said Director Patty Cormier. “He is a wonderful ambassador of our forests with assisting the gamut of forestry stakeholders as they navigate the complex forestry world concerning regulations, federal cost-share programs, and the many other forestry programs. Congratulations, Dan!”
Jacobs covers the southern portion of Aroostook County and a few towns in northern Penobscot County. Before working for the Maine Forest Service, Dan was a forester for International Paper Company, based in Clayton Lake. He has also worked as a forester for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. His forestry education includes an M.S. from Penn State, a B.S. from Utah State, and an AS from Unity College. He chaired the committee that prepared the MFS Forest Policy and Management Division book, “The Forestry Rules of Maine.”
“I congratulate Dan Jacobs and thank him for his leadership and commitment to the many people, programs, and institutions he has served,” said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal. “The state’s forest landscape would look very different if it were not for the expert services of Dan and all of our District Foresters.”
Maine District Forester Dan Jacobs hangs a tree tag on a white ash in Riverfront Park along the Meduxnekeag River in Houlton June 14. 2019. Jacobs was honored Sept. 20 with the 2021 Outstanding Forester Award at the 61st Maine Forest Products Council Annual meeting.
(File photo)
Jacobs has worked with the State Implementation Committee of the Maine Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) State Implementation Committee to develop and host dozens of Best Management Practice (BMP) workshops. He was on the planning committee for the Project Learning Tree teacher tours and is a Maine Woodland Owners newsletter author. Dan is very active in the planning and managing of the Bird Farm maple sugar operation and is involved with the Region Two School of Applied Technology programs, the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District, the Envirothon and SAD 29 educational programs.
“The Maine Forest Products Council honored Dan Jacobs as the Outstanding Forester of 2021 because of his exceptional ability to communicate with a wide variety of people in the forest economy, including landowners, loggers, forestry organizations, and the general public. He listens to what people need and helps them achieve it,” said Maine Forest Products Council Executive Director Patrick Strauch.
Albro “Al” Cowperthwaite was also presented with the 2021 Abby Holman Public Service Award at the awards ceremony.
The Abby Holman Public Service Award is awarded each year by the Maine Forest Products Council to an individual (or individuals) in recognition of outstanding service on behalf of Maine’s forest products industry.
The criterion for this award is simple. The recipients must demonstrate a level of passion, loyalty, and dedication to Maine’s forest products industry, to good government, and a robust economy much the same way that our former executive director and friend Abigail “Abby” Holman did.
In 2007, Ms. Holman was serving her first term in the House representing District 83, when she died in an accident during annual fund-raising ski race. She was a member of the committees on Judiciary, and Legal and Veterans Affairs. She was an attorney, was legal counsel and legislative director for Governor John McKernan during his administration. As executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council, Ms. Holman advocated for the industry in the State House.
