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Northeast Region Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year Bambi Jones and David Moskovitz pose at a building site at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson. Jones and Moskovitz, of Whitefield, manage 18 woodlots in Alna, Jefferson, and Whitefield. They established the 1,000-acre nature center on their land in Jefferson in 2009. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
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By Kathy Onorato
Bambi Jones and David Moskovitz, of Whitefield, have been managing nearly 2,000 acres of woodland area since 1978. For this work, the American Tree Farm System has named them Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year for the Northeast Region.
The award recognizes Jones and Moskovitz for their “exemplary and sustainable stewardship” of their woodland area, which includes land in Alna, Jefferson, and Whitefield, according to a recent press release from the American Tree Farm System.
“Being recognized and appreciated is a huge reward,” Moskovitz said. “We consider it positive feedback.”
The couple has acquired 18 woodland parcels in the last 35 years. Moskovitz said their woodlands are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which is the highest certification available.
“We practice the best low-impact harvesting, which creates minimal impact on the soil, wildlife, and remaining trees,” Moskovitz said.
Many people own woodlots, but what sets Jones and Moskovitz apart is the way they manage their land.
“We don’t only own the land, but we oversee it and we do the work,” Moskovitz said.
Jones said many Maine people own a woodlot and don’t know what to do with it. Often they accept offers to cut the trees, which leaves them with land they are unhappy with.
She urges woodlot owners to research their options and make sure the finished project is really going to be what they want.
Education and community engagement are an important part of Jones’ and Moskovitz’s woodland management strategy. In 2009, the couple established the Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson as a nonprofit educational organization on 1,000 acres of their land.
Jones described the center as “a gem of wilderness in Midcoast Maine.” Thousands of people in the community have taken advantage of the center’s educational opportunities.
Moskovitz said HVNC offers over 40 courses annually, including sustainable forestry as well as ecology, botany, and outdoor recreation.
The award makes Jones and Moskovitz finalists for the 2014 National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.
They will receive a free trip to the annual American Tree Farm System convention in Pittsburgh from July 17 to 19, where the national winner will be named. During the convention, Jones and Moskovitz will participate in a panel discussion about their sustainable forestry work.
American Tree Farm System foresters and state committees nominate certified tree farmers whose conservation efforts, outreach efforts to their community, and advocacy for sustainable forest management exceed expectations.
“Privately owned woodlands are vital to our country’s clean water and air, wildlife habitat, recreational activities, and producing the jobs, wood, and paper products we all need,” said Rita Hite, executive vice president for woodlands and policy with the American Forest Foundation.
“These benefits wouldn’t be possible without the outstanding stewardship and hard work of dedicated landowners across the country, and the American Tree Farm System is proud to recognize the 2014 Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year,” Hite said.
Jones, Moskovitz, and other volunteers are currently working on building a pavilion at the Hidden Valley Nature Center. The pavilion will host the Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine’s 60th annual Forestry Field Day on Sept. 6.
The day-long event will feature forestry demonstrations, wildlife talks, nature walks, music, and more. Moskovitz said he expects more than 500 people to attend the event.
