Gary Price named 2001 Inspector of the Year
Gary Price, a volunteer Tree Farm System inspector for 21 years, was named the 2001 National Tree Farm Inspector of the Year at the annual meeting of the Texas Forestry Association. Price, an avid spokesperson for sound forest management, has won the Outstanding State Inspector title three times and was named the Outstanding Area Inspector five different years.
During his involvement in the Tree Farm System, Price has certified more than 100 new Tree Farms earning the Gold Hardhat Award and re-inspected hundreds of Tree Farms. He also coordinates Tree Farm tours and conducts field outings with students and teachers through the Society of American Foresters’ “Walk in the Forest” educational outreach program.
A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in 1974, he started his own consulting forestry business in 1979 in his hometown of Atlanta, Texas, managing private timberlands. Price has nominated five Tree Farmers for the Outstanding state competition over the years, most recently the Outstanding Texas State Tree Farmers of the Year for 2001, Bill and Anita Runnels.
Price is a former board member of the Texas Forestry Association, former state and chapter chairman of the Texas Society of American Foresters, and a recipient of the 1985 Texas SAF Forestry Leadership Award.
Regional Inspectors of the Year for 2002 are James “Jim” Elze of the Ohio Division of Forestry (North Central), John Ferguson of the Bay State Forestry Service in New Hampshire (Northeast), and Dan Wand of Colorado Forest Service (Western). These winners are recognized for their commitment to the Tree Farm System, their state committees, and to educating the public on the benefits of sustainable forestry.
