Ann Davis of Wilmot received the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association’s (NHTOA) Kendall Norcott award on May 14 at the association’s annual meeting in Durham.
The award is presented to a person who has given exceptional service to the NHTOA and its members. Davis was a member of the NHTOA’s Board of Directors from 2005 to 2013. She was president from 2010 to 2012.
“I don’t believe anyone has worked harder for the NHTOA and our mission over the last 15 years than Ann Davis,” said Rick Evans, president of the NHTOA board. “She worked on multiple committees, and was treasurer, vice president, president elect, president, and immediate past president of the board. In 2011 she was the driving force behind our amazing Centennial Celebration.”
Upon retirement in 2002, Ann and her husband, Marc, decided to move to New Hampshire. In that year they bought a woodlot in Springfield, and named it the Woods Without Gile. At the suggestion of their forester, they joined the NHTOA.
In the 13 that the Davises have owned the Woods Without Gile, they have had three timber sales and built six miles of trails including bridges and culverts that allow them excellent access within the property. They are certified Tree Farm members. In 2007 they place a working forest conservation easement on their land with the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust.
“The NHTOA, which has been active for more than a hundred years, is a terrific organization,” Davis said. “It has adapted as the needs of the forest products industry has changed. The commitment that people in the industry have toward the working forest landscape is impressive. They show a high level of courage, creativity, and intellect just to marshal the resources to stay in business.”
Several efforts stand out during Ann’s years of service. She was chairman of the Centennial Committee (2009-2011). She coordinated “New Hampshire’s Forests, New Hampshire’s People,” a book published in 2011 that recounts the compelling history of New Hampshire’s first families of the timber industry. During her tenure on the board Ann also worked on updating the NHTOA’s Strategic Plan.
“Every once in a while a person comes along who really moves an organization,” said Jasen Stock, NHTOA executive director, “Ann Davis is one of those people. The NHTOA was lucky to have her at the helm during our strategic planning process, during a critical growth period in our Annual Fund, and through our Centennial Celebration. As we look to the establishment of an endowment, we are fortunate to have Ann on the board of the Granite State Woodland Institute to help us with this important step forward.”
The NHTOA, established in 1911, represents all segments of the forest products industry including landowners, foresters, loggers, truckers and mill owners. Its mission is to promote private and public working forests by encouraging responsible land management and supporting a strong forest products industry.
More information is available at 224-9699 or NHTOA.org.