As part of the Centennial Celebration, the State Forester has initiated recognition of Forestry Pioneers. These awards recognize individuals who, through their personal and/or professional commitment, have furthered the cause of forestry, forest management, and/or natural resource management in Montana. Forestry Pioneers are individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the forestry profession in Montana.

Honorees have a brick engraved with their name and placed around the flagpole of the new entrance to the Forestry Division Headquarters. The Forestry Pioneer Program recognizes a new class of inductees each year.

* 2017 Forestry Pioneers: Jim Hurst, Sr., Tim Love, W.C. Lubrecht, Jack Parrish, Mark Romey, Craig Thomas. *