The Society of American Foresters
Gifford Pinchot Medal

PURPOSE: To recognize outstanding contributions by a forestry professional in the administration, practice, and professional development of North American Forestry.

INFORMATION ON GIFFORD PINCHOT: Gifford Pinchot is widely credited as being America's first forester and the father of the conservation movement in North America.  Pinchot was born August 11, 1865 at Simsbury, CT.  On the advice of his father, who was concerned about wasteful land use practices, Pinchot studied forestry in Europe in hopes of improving resource management in America.

In 1892 Pinchot began the first systematic forest management plan in North America on the Biltmore estate in North Carolina.  Seeing a need for a national resource management organization, Pinchot brought about the establishment of the Forest Service in 1898 with the help of President Theodore Roosevelt.  The National Forest system and forest policy as we know them today are a result of Pinchot's efforts.

Pinchot was a man of action.  He immersed himself in his work, always finding new and interesting forestry related projects.  He inspected the forests of the Philippine Islands to devise a management strategy in 1907.  From 1903 to 1936, he was a professor of forestry at Yale.  Pinchot wrote tirelessly on the topics of forestry and conservation, including the book Breaking New Ground. 

In addition to establishing the Forest Service, Pinchot founded the Society of American Foresters in 1900.  He served as its president from 1900-08 and again from 1910-11.  He was elected an SAF Fellow in 1918.  Gifford Pinchot brought a professional approach to all his endeavors, the Forest Service, natural resource conservation, and the SAF.  His actions have left a indelible mark on the profession of natural resource management.

AWARD CRITERIA: Nominees for the Gifford Pinchot Medal must demonstrate exemplary actions that further the field of forestry in North America.  Nominees need not be members of the Society of American Foresters.  Evaluation will be based on:

• Bring a professional approach to all endeavors

• Making an indelible mark on the profession

• Being a person of action in the profession

• Making outstanding contributions in administration

NOMINATION: The nominator must submit by February 28, for the award that year (odd-numbered years only), the following information on behalf of the nominee to National Awards, Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD  20814-2198. The nomination packet must include:

• Three letters of endorsement addressing the award criteria

• A biographical sketch (not to exceed three pages), including education, experience, professional responsibilities, and contributions to North American Forestry set forth in the criteria.

• Nomination form – available from the SAF National Office or the SAF website.

Unsuccessful candidates may be renominated by letter providing any updated material.  All award criteria must still be met at the time of renomination. The SAF National Office will contact the nominee only if chosen to be the award recipient. All other corresponds will be directed to the nominator.

AWARD DESCRIPTION/PRESENTATION: The award is presented in odd-numbered years at the annual awards ceremony at the SAF national convention.  The recipient will receive an engraved medallion and a cash honorarium of $500. Complimentary convention registration is provided and up to $500 is available to cover travel expenses and accommodations for the award recipient.

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS:

1950 Henry S. Graves	1975 Paul M. Dunn
1952 Raphael Zon	1977 Frank H. Kaufert
1954 William L. Hall	1981 Maurice K. Goddard
1956 I.F. Eldridge	1983 Henry J. Vaux
1957 Henry E. Clepper	1985 Stephen H. Spurr
1960 Earle H. Clapp	1987 William D. Hagenstein
1963 Ralph S. Hosmer	1989 Rexford A. Resler
1965 Stanley G. Fontanna	1991 Richard A. Skok
1967 George L. Drake	1993 Carl H. Stoltenberg
1969 David T. Mason	1995 John F. Hosner
1971 Emmanuel Fritz	1997 Bruce R. Miles
1973 Edward P. Cliff	1999 Arthur W. Cooper
	2001 No Recipient
	2003 William H. Banzhaf, CF
	2005 John C. Gordon