The 2020 Stewardship Forester of the Year is Hunter Fodor of Hunter’s Land Management in Jackson. Hunter was given the award in February to recognize his entrepreneurial boldness, assistance to other consulting foresters, work with local school forests and excellent customer service to forest landowners and their families.

The Stewardship Forester Award recognizes the important role of 165 private-sector foresters in serving forest landowners and delivering the Michigan Forest Stewardship Program. The award is given at the annual meeting of the Michigan Association of Consulting Foresters.

Hunter graduated with a degree in forestry from Michigan Technological University in 2018 and started his own consulting forestry company that summer. He provides consulting services including forest management plans, improving wildlife habitat, removing invasive species, tree planting and administering timber sales.

Hunter is a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters, a Registered Forester, a Tree Farm inspector, a technical service provider, an oak wilt-certified inspector, a Qualified Forester and a candidate certified forester with the Society of American Foresters.

"If you own woods, Hunter has the right skills to help you meet your land management goals," said Mike Smalligan, DNR forest stewardship coordinator.

You can find other consulting foresters throughout Michigan at www.ACF-foresters.org.

The American Tree Farm System is a community of forest owners that recognizes excellent forest management and helps people share woodland legacies with their families.

Landowners can get money and advice from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to fix soil erosion problems, address forest health issues, build stream crossings or improve wildlife habitat in their woods.

The Forest Stewardship Program connects landowners and their families with foresters to help them develop plans to manage, protect and enjoy their woods and water. Over the last 30 years, more than 6,000 landowners have developed their custom Forest Stewardship Plan to take good care of 1.1 million acres of Michigan’s forests.

The Forest Stewardship Program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources. For more information, contact Mike Smalligan at smalliganm@michigan.gov.