Ben Kirkland presented the Jim Fowler Environmental Award

ALBANY — Chehaw’s Ben Kirkland was presented the Jim Fowler Environmental Award on Saturday, receiving the award for his service and commitment to preserving the natural world.

Kirkland currently serves as Chehaw’s natural resources manager. He has developed a forest stewardship plan for the park which includes a prescribed fire plan, timber harvests, managing native flora and fauna, eradicating exotic invasive species, insects and disease and managing wildlife populations on the park.

Kirkland has worked at Chehaw since 1986 when he started as the park ranger. His title changed later ranger/chief naturalist, and then to his current title. His myriad of responsibilities have included forest management, wildlife management, campground, playgrounds, picnic grounds, boat dock, fish pond, security and operating ticket booth, gift shop and concessions.

Kirkland has also served as organizer of the Native American Festival, Frontier Festival and Traditional Skills Gathering. He was awarded the Forest Stewardship Award, and has also been named Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year.

Kirkland holds an associate’s degrees in wildlife technology from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and forest technology, and a certificate in prescribed burning from Auburn University. He is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist, Georgia Forestry Commission certified prescribed burn manager, Georgia Department of Natural Resources certified hunter education instructor and past facilitator in Project Wild, Project Learning Tree and Project Wet.

A previous recipient, Don Dally, nominated Kirkland for the award. Dally commended his forestry management skills and perseverance in overcoming a multitude of natural disasters over the past several years. He also praised his more than 30 years of educating children and adults across the state in the importance of history and preserving the natural world.

The award was initially created in 2009 and features the sculpture “Windblown Tree” by artist Derek Taylor. The award is currently displayed at the Creekside Center at Chehaw. Previous recipients also include Fowler, founder of Chehaw. 

Chehaw is a non-profit organization located at 105 Chehaw Park Road in Albany and is open every day of the year. Chehaw’s vision encompasses the principles on which it was founded — conservation, education and preservation.

For more information, call (229) 430-5275.