NorthWoods’ Jayson Benoit, right, presents Ross Morgan, center, with the 2013 George Buzzell Forest Stewardship Award, with the help of Buzzell’s daughter, Rebecca Brown, left.
NorthWoods Stewardship Center presented consulting forester Ross Morgan of Craftsbury with the first annual George Buzzell Forest Stewardship Award at NorthWoods’ Annual Stewardship Celebration on Friday, October. The award recognizes extraordinary commitment to the sustainable management of forests in the Northeast Kingdom.
As inscribed on a plaque that hangs at NorthWoods, “George Buzzell served for 44 years as Orleans County Forester and was widely known and respected for his quick wit, knowledge, dedication to forestry, and support of the people involved in its everyday practice. This award is given annually to recognize others who demonstrate the commitment to education and care of the forest that are George’s legacy.”
NorthWoods provides forestry education programs to individuals and schools as well as forestry management services to landowners. “George was very supportive of NorthWoods whenwe began offering forestry education and technical services almost 20 years ago,” recalled NorthWoods Forest Stewardship Institute (FSI) Coordinator Jayson Benoit. “I appreciated his guidance, knowledge, and very colorful personality, and the workshops that he led at NorthWoods on hardwood pruning and sugar bush management were unforgettable. We hope the Buzzell award—by honoring George’s work and spotlighting excellent forestry practice and education in the Northeast Kingdom—is a step toward repaying the debt our region owes to George Buzzell.
Nominations for Ross Morgan came in from a diverse group of foresters, forest students, and landowners, all of whom spoke of Morgan’s generosity with his time and skill at sharing the lessons of the forest. In presenting the award, Benoit highlighted Morgan’s nearly five decades of working on forestry issues in the region, and his service as teacher, mentor, philosopher, woodsman, woodcarver, and more. “Ross is most committed to his role as an on-the-ground forester, and is widely sought after for his wisdom and experience. George was a mentor to many foresters, as is Ross today. I can’t imagine a more perfect first recipient of the Buzzell award.”
Morgan has been a teacher to many—foresters, landowners, high school and college students — and several Sterling College alumni were on hand to help honor Morgan, who they refer to as ‘the O.W’ – the Old Woodsman. “When you told someone you had a class with Ross Morgan that day, they knew how lucky you were. It was a privilege.” recalls Sterling College graduate Cody Sayers. “When I think of him, I remember a lot of forest tours—going for a walk and really looking at what we were learning about. Also his love of the axe and hand tools. He’d take the time to show you how to make one, and was proud to show off his incredible collection.”
Morgan seemed to appreciate the recognition and the chance to reminisce about his old friend George Buzzell. “George and I were inseparable friends. We laughed, shared stories, and also shared a very sincere interest in silviculture, forest research and how our forests should be treated. To share time with a friend like that is a wonderful thing, and to have received this award in recognition of that is such a treat to me.”