Longtime DNR Forest Manager Receives Prestigious National Award

Annapolis, MD -  The Society of American Foresters has selected Forest Manager Francis Zumbrun to receive its coveted Presidential Field Forester Award. Each year the society selects 11 winners to recognize the important work of these men and women that typically goes unnoticed. Zumbrun, known endearingly by friends and coworkers as “Champ,” will accept his award in September, a fitting cap on a long and distinguished career.

“Francis Zumbrun embodies civil service,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “An award of this caliber is a proud moment for Francis and his colleagues at the Department of Natural Resources, and a proud moment for the State of Maryland.”

Currently the forest manager at Green Ridge State Forest, Zumbrun is set to retire in August after 31 years of service to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Zumbrun has been a professional forester at DNR since 1978, serving on numerous boards and committees, as well as regularly contributing to the Cumberland Times-News.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at a biweekly leadership meeting at the Tawes Building in Annapolis, Secretary John Griffin and DNR Forest Service Director Steve Koehn presented Zumbrun with certificates of appreciation for his service to DNR and congratulated him upon being a recipient of the Presidential Field Forester Award. In front of about 25 of his colleagues, Zumbrun graciously thanked those people who helped him succeed, calling his award “a team effort.”

“This award is an extraordinary achievement,” said Secretary Griffin, “and no one deserves it more than Francis. He has been doing unsung, excellent work for our department for over three decades. It is great to see him recognized, and at such a high level.”

Retirement is not the end for Francis Zumbrun, however. Additionally, he will remain involved with a DNR-affiliated committee dedicated to preserving the history of resource conservation in the state of Maryland. He plans to use his time to work on some writing projects, both supplementing a book and beginning one of his own.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov