February 2008

Steve Chick, Nebraska Natural Resource Conservation Service state conservationist, was honored with the Nebraska Forest Service's State Forester's Award.

Chick joined the Nebraska Natural Resource Conservation Service as deputy state conservationist in 1992 and became state conservationist in 1995. During his time with Nebraska NRCS, he has substantially increased his agency's support for forestry.

"Steve's leadership has made a lasting difference on the health and productivity of our forests across the state," said Scott Josiah, state forester and director, Nebraska Forest Service. "His efforts have led to nearly a doubling of forestry services to rural landowners technical assistance with windbreaks, streamside buffers, wildlife and other conservation plantings."

Chick was also instrumental in engineering the innovative cooperative agreement between the Nebraska Forest Service and NRCS that co-funds four technical service provider forester positions at strategic NRCS field offices across the state. This partnership has greatly enhanced each agency's ability to provide rural forestry technical assistance to landowners statewide.

Chick is a graduate of the University of Maine where he earned his bachelor's degree in wildlife management. He worked as a game warden/wildlife biologist with the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department, soil conservationist and district conservationist with the Illinois NRCS, area conservationist with the North Dakota NRCS and assistant state conservationist with the Colorado NRCS. He is a member of the National Association of Conservation Districts, Soil and Water Conservation Society and National Society of Range Management.

Becky Erdkamp
Education and Outreach Specialist
Nebraska Forest Service