The Hardwood Forestry Fund seeks nominations for the 2010 Gifford Pinchot Award.  This award recognizes significant corporate achievements in promoting sustainable forestry.

Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946) was a forester, conservationist, first Chief of the US Forest Service, and Society of American Foresters founder and president.  Gifford Pinchot’s lasting legacy to forest management and conservation (wise use of resources) is mirrored in the goals of the Hardwood Forestry Fund. 

The Hardwood Forestry Fund Gifford Pinchot Award honors a forest products company that has demonstrated a similar commitment to the environment and “generation after generation of people and trees” through tree planting, sustainable forest conservation, and environmental education.
 
Qualifications for the Hardwood Forestry Fund’s Gifford Pinchot Award are:
• Demonstrated financial commitment to forest sustainability programs
• Extensive environmental education efforts
• Defined corporate strategy, policies, and procedures to extend use of hardwood resources

You can help the Hardwood Forestry Fund Board of Directors select the Gifford Pinchot Award recipient by nominating a company you feel should receive the award.  You are encouraged to promote your corporate environmental efforts by nominating your company.  Media releases in industry journals will identify the award winning company.

Previous Gifford Pinchot Winners:
 ARMSTRONG WOOD PRODUCTS.  2001
 WALZCRAFT INDUSTRIES INC.  2006
 
Complete the nomination form and return it to the Hardwood Forestry Fund by April 30, 2010. The award will be presented at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta in August 2010.  Please direct questions to the Hardwood Forestry Fund, Barbara@hardwoodforestryfund.org or call 703-503-1155.  Your support and nominations are appreciated.

NEWPORT, NC:  Three individuals have been selected as judges for the sixth annual Veneer Tech Craftsman’s ChallengeTM, a national design competition that highlights achievement in the use of natural veneer. They are Robert Lang, executive editor of Popular Woodworking Magazine; Patrick Molzahn, cabinetmaking and millwork program director at Madison Area Technical College and vice-president of the WoodLINKS USA board of directors; and Robert Stout, president-elect of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) and principal in RLS Commercial Interiors.

The 2010 Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge rewards excellence in the use of veneer and wood products through cash awards and other recognition for the entire supply chain including craftsmen, distributors and distributor sales representatives, and also for student designers. The competition is co-sponsored this year by CabinetMaker+FDM.

Robert Lang is a professional woodworker and author of several books including Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture, named in 2005 by Fine Woodworking magazine as one of the “Books Every Woodworker Should Read.” His experience includes building custom furniture and cabinets as well as managing large architectural millwork projects. “I’m looking forward to seeing the best examples of current work entered in the Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge,” said Lang. “Previous years’ entries have been an inspiring collection from skilled and creative craftsmen and I’m sure this year’s entries will be even better.”

Patrick Molzahn joined the faculty of Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI, after several years of running his own woodworking business. Originally trained as an architect, his interests include architectural millwork and wooden boatbuilding. In 2008 he was the recipient of the WMIA Educator of the Year award. “As the wood industry works to recover from the recent economic downturn, it is critical to our success that we encourage and reward our best craftsmen and students,” Molzahn commented. “Veneer Tech is to be commended for its support of current and future woodworkers.”

Robert Stout of RLS Commercial Interiors in Wendell, NC, specializes in institutional, retail and restaurant casework, paneling, doors and interior windows. He has served on the board of AWI for several years. “The Craftsman’s Challenge is the premier showcase for cutting edge veneer work, showing the wide gamut of applications from student projects to high end architectural installations,” said Stout. “It is exciting to see the variety of work entered.”

Entries are accepted through June 11, 2010. Competition categories include Cabinetry, Architectural Woodworking, Furniture, Specialty Products, Store Fixtures, and Student Design. Entry materials are available from Veneer Technologies sales representatives, distributors, and through www.veneertech.com. Online entry is encouraged.

A cash award of $3000 will be made to the creator of the grand prize winning entry. The distributor of the veneer for the grand prize winning entry will receive $2000, and the corresponding distributor salesman will receive $1000. Winners of each of the six categories receive $1000 each. There is also an additional $1000 award to the grand prizewinner for early entry by March 31, 2010. Awards will be presented at IWF 2010, August 25-28, in Atlanta, GA.

Veneer Technologies, a long-time Hardwood Forestry Fund supporter,  is located in Newport, NC, and specializes in natural face veneers, sheet veneer and edgebanding. The company also offers exotic hardwood lumber, door skins and reconstituted veneer products.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 15, 2010
CONTACT:  Alan Hubbard, Veneer Technologies, Inc., alan@veneertech.com
P. O. Box 1145, Newport, NC  28570; TEL 252-223-5600
www.veneertech.com

Click Armstrong’s Projects  to find out more about Armstrong World Industries’ tree planting and forest  management projects and partnerships with the Hardwood Forestry Fund.