December 19, 2024 3:05 a.m.

The Douglas Timber Operators recently gave two community members awards for their unique, long-standing service to the local community and the management of the forests.

The 2024 Tough Tree Award was presented to Swanson Group CEO, Steve Swanson. The award is given to recognize individuals “for efforts above and beyond the call of duty for the forest products industry, timber workers, and natural resource dependent communities”. DTO Executive Director Matt Hill said, “Steve is not an ivory tower kind of CEO. He’s in the trenches with us, and stays in all the hard fights for sustainable forest management in Oregon”.  Hill said, “My appreciation for Steve deepened in 2020 when our community experienced the Archie Creek Fire. Our DTO membership discussed a relief fund to help those who lost their homes. No one reacted faster and more generously than Steve Swanson”.

The 2024 High Climber Award was presented to former Douglas County Commissioner Doug Robertson, who currently serves as Executive Director of the Association of O&C Counties. The award was presented by Hill and County Commissioner Tim Freeman. Freeman said, “County Commissioners have to know a lot about a lot of different issues. Every now and then we get a County Commissioner that takes the time to know everything about one specific issue. That is Doug Robertson. Doug has the history and a passion for the timber industry”. Freeman also said, “We all appreciate Doug’s knowledge, experience and approach. Not only does he know this issue, but he’s fantastic about teaching others and sharing his knowledge”.

The awards were given out at DTO’s annual Christmas social event last week.