Patty Cormier, Maine Forest Service director, took great pleasure in presenting District Forester Dan Jacobs with the MFPC 2021 Outstanding Forester award Sept. 20. Jacobs has served as District Forester with the MFS for 21 years in Island Falls.
“Through many changes within the forest industry, Dan has positively impacted the people of our state as well as Maine’s forests with his skills, knowledge, and willingness to help others. His dedication to pro-active education and outreach on sustainable forest practices has earned the respect of landowners, loggers, and foresters.”
Patty Cormier, Director Maine Forest Service
“In addition to performing his job at an exemplary level, Dan demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to the forestry community as well as to the public,” Cormier told MFPC members at their 61st Annual Meeting Sept. 20. “Dan takes it upon himself to provide exceptional support and service to an impressive variety and number of landowners, loggers, forestry organizations and the general public.” (See video below as Dan Jacobs discusses the updated version of the popular publication “The Woods in Your Backyard,” including the content of the guide, the uses, and how woodland owners can get a copy.)
Jacobs covers the southern portion of Aroostook County and a few towns in northern Penobscot County as well. Before working for the Maine Forest Service, Dan was a forester for International Paper Company, based in Clayton Lake. He has also worked as a forester for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. His forestry education includes an M.S. from Penn State, a B.S. from Utah State, and an Associate of Science degree from Unity College. He chaired the committee that prepared the MFS Forest Policy and Management Division book, “The Forestry Rules of Maine.”
“The Maine Forest Products Council honored Dan Jacobs as the Outstanding Forester of 2021 because of his exceptional ability to communicate with a wide variety of people in the forest economy, including landowners, loggers, forestry organizations, and the general public. He listens to what people need and helps them achieve it,” said Maine Forest Products Council Executive Director Patrick Strauch.
Dan has worked with the State Implementation Committee of the Maine Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) State Implementation Committee to develop and host dozens of Best Management Practice (BMP) workshops. He was on the planning committee for the Project Learning Tree teacher tours and is a Maine Woodland Owners newsletter author. Dan is very active in the planning and managing of the Bird Farm maple sugar operation and is involved with the Region Two School of Applied Technology programs, the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District, the Envirothon and SAD 29 educational programs.
“I worked with Dan for 21 years and have always been impressed with his candid approach, his initiative and passion with promoting the wise use of our forests,” Cormier said. “He truly has had a statewide impact with respect to forestry in Maine, whether it be educating landowners, loggers and other foresters on safety, regulations, general forest management, or with every age group of students learning about forestry as a career.
“Through many changes the with the forest industry, Dan has made a difference, and has positively impacted the people of our state and those associated with the forest industry. His skills, knowledge, willingness to help others, and dedication make him perfect for the 2021 Maine Forest Products Council Outstanding Forester Award. Congratulations Dan!”