Celebrating Excellence: ACF Wins 2026 Consulting Forester of the Year & Launches Emerging Markets Partnership

We are thrilled to share that the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) has been honored as the 2026 Consulting Forester of the Year by the Forest Landowners Association. This national award is a significant milestone—not just for the organization, but for the profession itself. It highlights the essential role that independent consultants play in helping families manage their land sustainably and successfully.

The FLA awards celebrate the leaders and organizations that make a measurable difference in private forest stewardship. By honoring ACF this year, the FLA is recognizing the shared dedication of our entire membership—consulting foresters nationwide who offer landowners expert, ethical, and reliable support.

Joining an esteemed list of previous recipients—including several of our own distinguished members—is a significant milestone for ACF. This award serves as a powerful reminder that when foresters provide sound, ethical advice, the results benefit both the individual landowner and the environment at large.

We deeply value our ongoing collaboration with the Forest Landowners Association. FLA’s tireless advocacy for private timberland owners provides a vital platform for ACF to contribute our technical expertise on shared goals. This award highlights the strong synergy between our two groups and our common mission to provide every landowner with top-tier professional forestry guidance.

While President Rick Barnes and Executive Director Shannon McCabe will officially accept the award at the FLA Annual Meeting in New Orleans this summer, the true credit belongs to our members. This trophy is simply a reflection of the hard work, high ethics, and daily commitment that the entire ACF community pours into the forestry profession.

A huge congratulations to the entire ACF membership! This award is a direct result of the integrity you bring to the woods and the vital role you play in the lives of landowners from coast to coast. We are proud to stand alongside the Forest Landowners Association (FLA), a national powerhouse that advocates for 2,000 members managing more than 55 million acres of private forestland. To learn more about their work, visit www.forestlandowners.com.