Truman, of SUU, Receives Forest Stewardship Award

Published: November 03, 2005 | Author: Elizabeth Bowler | Read Time: 2 minutes

Written by Elizabeth Bowler, Communication major from Washington, Utah


Scott Truman, executive director of the Utah Rural Development Council on the Southern Utah University campus, has been selected by the Utah Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee (FSCC) to receive the 2005 Forest Stewardship Achievement Award.

The FSCC operates under the premise of maintaining healthy forests. One of the ways it achieves this is by removing unhealthy timber that is still useable. The stewardship part of the program exchanges the timber for the services of private contractors. For instance, a fence builder is given the timber to build a fence in a situation that improves rural development.

According to extension.usu.edu, the FSCC annually considers several highly-qualified nominations to receive the Stewardship Achievement Award. Truman will be presented with the award in St. George, Utah, at the 57th Annual Utah Association of Conservation Districts Convention on Nov. 2.

Joel Frandsen, director of the Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands, said Truman was up against some stiff competition. “Scott is a remarkable man, and we are excited to see him receive this state-level award.”

Truman administers the Stewardship Contracting Center of the Rural Development Council. The Center partners private contractors from rural areas with the FSCC to achieve its environmental development goals. “Anytime you receive such an award, it’s one of those things you know you don’t make happen alone,” Truman modestly remarks. It’s an honor to be singled out, but the fact is, a lot of deserving people are engaged in this project.”
This is not the first time Truman has been recognized for his efforts with his Utah Rural Development office. In 2003, he was honored with the Rural Impact Award from the National Rural Development Partnership in Washington, D.C. The award was given in acknowledgment of Truman’s efforts for innovation in saving rural jobs and bolstering rural economies; he helped save 100 jobs when a saw mill in Escalante, Utah—the community’s largest employer--was set to close in 2001. The SUU Utah Rural Development Council helped facilitate the purchase of the mill, which helped to preserve Escalante’s economy.

--SUU--

Through its more than 100-year history, Southern Utah University has evolved from a teacher training school into its current role as a comprehensive, regional university to 6,000 students from across the globe. It serves the southern region of Utah and contiguous counties in surrounding states with undergraduate and graduate programs in six colleges. People of the region look to the University for outreach services, culture, economic and business development, higher learning, regional history, public affairs, major academic specialties, and significant entertainment and recreation. Accentuated by the notable, economic value of its services, SUU's hallmark is its quality staff, faculty and academics.

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