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Lauren Cook
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Dave Engleson Award showcases the company’s significant contributions to educational outreach throughout the state
TOMAHAWK, Wis. — Plum Creek Timber Company was awarded the 2008 Dave Engleson Award through the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) at the association’s fall conference. The award highlights Plum Creek’s work throughout Wisconsin on educating the public about sustainable forestry and responsible environmental consciousness.
“As Wisconsin ’s largest private landowner, we respect the heritage of Wisconsin ’s forestland, and we are committed to sustainably managing it for future generations. That’s why we feel education and outreach, especially targeted to the next generation, is crucial,” said Scott Henker, senior resource manager for Plum Creek Wisconsin . “We are truly honored to be given this important environmental award.”
The award recognized many efforts Plum Creek makes toward environmental education, including:
· An internship program in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources where students work with Plum Creek foresters on survey field work, tree replanting efforts and forest health monitoring.
· Foresters speaking at Wisconsin school career days, as well as providing financial assistance to forestry and science teachers to attend workshops on implementing forest education in their classrooms.
· Sponsorship and involvement in Trees for Tomorrow, a natural resources school in Eagle River that teaches kids about the forests.
· Partnership with “Into the Outdoors” where a number of episodes taught young viewers about the forestry industry, including water quality, tree management and forestry-related computer technology.
“We applaud Plum Creek Timber for its environmental work in the community and its educational outreach,” said Tom Quinn, WAEE chair elect. “We were pleased to award our highest honor to Plum Creek and celebrate the company’s work throughout Wisconsin .”
In addition to Plum Creek’s support for environmental education, the company is also committed to promoting sustainable forest management, and it was the first company in the country to certify all of its land under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) program. As part of that certification, Plum Creek educates woodland owners, recreational users and the public on environmental consciousness and proper forestry practices.
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Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation, with approximately 7 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and 10 wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. In Wisconsin , Plum Creek practices sustainable forestry on approximately 330,000 acres of forestland in 26 counties throughout the state. For more information on Plum Creek in Wisconsin , visit http://www.plumcreek.com/wisconsin.
