News Release
For Immmediate Release — October 1, 2010
UT Extension Forestry Expert Receives State Award
Dr. David Mercker, a University of Tennessee Extension Specialist located at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, is being honored by the Tennessee Forestry Association for his work to promote and educate people about our state’s forests. Photo by Nancy Van Tol.
Dr. David Mercker is recognized by the Tennessee Forestry Association
JACKSON, Tenn. — Dr. David Mercker, a University of Tennessee Extension Specialist, is being honored by the Tennessee Forestry Association for his work to promote and educate people about our state’s forests. The 2010 Tennessee Forest Resource Award will be presented to him at the TFA’s annual meeting in Gatlinburg on Oct. 14.
Organizers say the honor is presented annually to an individual who has been a leader in providing scientific knowledge and information on forestry throughout the state. Specifically, Dr. Mercker is being recognized for efforts in the “Healthy Hardwoods” program, the “TFA Teachers Workshop,” and the TFA “Tree Farm” program. Dr. Mercker was selected for the award from among the TFA’s 2,000 statewide members.
“It’s a terrific honor to be the 2010 recipient of the TFA Forest Resources Award,” Dr. Mercker says. “Collectively, UT employees receive a lot of awards. This award generously gives recognition for our contributions to private landowners and their natural resources.”
In her letter notifying Dr. Mercker about the award, Candace Dinwiddie, Executive Director of the TFA writes, “David, all of us at TFA recognize your abilities to communicate the need to manage our forests wisely for the all the benefits derived from our timberlands. You are so talented in communicating with forest landowners, loggers, individuals interested in forestry, as well as the youth of our state. We feel privileged to have you as part of our forestry community and family in Tennessee and truly value your expertise and ideas.”
Dr. Mercker manages 235 acres of forest and timber at UT’s West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson. Recently the forests there received third party certification from the American Tree Farm System. This distinction gives this property global recognition as being a well-managed forest and any wood products that originate at the center will be marketed as being produced with the highest standards.
Dr. Mercker holds a joint appointment as a UT Extension forester and a faculty member in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries. He has been with UT since 1999, where he also holds a doctorate degree. His undergraduate and MS degrees are from Southern Illinois University.
For more information about forestry programs, contact the UT Extension office in your county.
UT Extension operates in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties as the off-campus division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. An educational and outreach organization funded by federal, state and local governments, UT Extension, in cooperation with Tennessee State University, brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work.
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Contact:
Dr. David Mercker, 731-425-4703, dcmercker@utk.edu
Chuck Denney, 865-974-7367, cmdenney@utk.edu