Dick and Mary
Czaja
Forestry Conservationist of the Year
Awarded in 2025
For outstanding effort in forest conservation and management. Eligible areas of effort include tree planting, timber stand improvement, and other management practices, with emphasis on the development of multiple uses on forest lands. The recipient may be a private or public landowner, an individual, business, or someone involved in the administration of forestry programs.
Since purchasing their 40-acre property in 1992, Dick and Mary Czaja have committed to sustainable forest management, placing 38 acres under Managed Forest Law. They’ve harvested over 600 cord equivalents, maintained trails, planted trees, and created wildlife habitats, often involving family to foster conservation values across generations. Active in education and outreach, they host field days and speak at forestry conferences, sharing practical knowledge. Their hands-on stewardship and dedication to sustainable forestry make them exemplary conservationists.