Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Kentucky forestry agency receives two national awards

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 20, 2005) – The Kentucky Division of Forestry received two prestigious national awards for fire prevention at a meeting of the Southern Group of State Foresters in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The agency was presented a Bronze Smokey Bear Award for having a wild land fire prevention program of statewide significance and a Franklin Award for outstanding wild land fire protection programs.

The National Association of State Foresters, the USDA Forest Service and the Advertising Council sponsor the Bronze Smokey Bear – highest national award for wild land fire prevention. The USDA Forest Service Cooperative Protection Program sponsors the Franklin Award for outstanding efforts by state agencies that work with the Forest Service to provide fire protection programs to all, particularly those in underserved, rural communities.

Leah MacSwords, director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry, accepted the awards on behalf of the division’s 237 employees. “Their continued hard work earned Kentucky these honors. We were notified that we were receiving the Bronze Smokey Award but were pleasantly surprised to also receive the Franklin Award. This truly validates the important work we do,” she said.

The division was specifically recognized for an extensive media campaign to promote wild land fire and arson prevention and implementation of the Kentucky Firewise Program. Program information is available at www.forestry.ky.gov. Click on the Fire Management Program link.  

Division of Forestry Director Leah MacSwords and Bernie Andersen (far left), fire management chief, accept the bronze Smokey Award from Bill Sweet and Tom Harbour of the U.S. Forest Service.