Excellence in forestry honored at 2026 Trees Bowl
Michelle Cauley
Submitted Photo North Dakota State Sens. Dale Patten, center left, and Greg Kessel, center right, receive the 2026 “Distinguished Leadership” Trees Award for their work evaluating the fire service’s operational and response needs of North Dakota. Presenting the awards were North Dakota State University President Marshall Stewart, far left, and State Forester Tom Claeys, far right. Photo courtesy of James Olson, JMO Photography.
Michelle Cauley
Submitted Photo North Dakota State Sens. Dale Patten, center left, and Greg Kessel, center right, receive the 2026 “Distinguished Leadership” Trees Award for their work evaluating the fire service’s operational and response needs of North Dakota. Presenting the awards were North Dakota State University President Marshall Stewart, far left, and State Forester Tom Claeys, far right. Photo courtesy of James Olson, JMO Photography.
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FARGO - Fourteen “Trees Award” winners from across the state were recognized at the 36th Trees Bowl and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 29.
The Trees Awards recognize individuals, organizations and agencies who contribute in an outstanding way to forestry activities. This year's winners have increased capacity for fire response statewide, performed outstanding tree planting projects, promoted conservation and forest products and trained educators to use environmental education to provide hands-on learning opportunities. This event was hosted by the North Dakota Forest Service and North Dakota State University.
The 2026 award winners include Environmental Educator of the Year Michelle Cauley from Dakota College at Bottineau.
Cauley has directed outdoor summer camps, led field experiences and developed curriculum. Currently serving as the associate professor of Natural Resources and Unmanned Aircraft Systems with DCB, her work directly with students instills a love and curiosity for the world around them.
She is a passionate community builder, involved in planning and hosting various events in the Bottineau area, such as the annual Earth Day Festival. As director of the Bottineau Rockhounds and Bottineau Community Rocks!, she and her members spearheaded an effort that encouraged students to become involved with creating legislation to name "Knife River Flint" as North Dakota's official state rock. This was signed into law on March 26, 2025.
Cauley is a Project WET, Project Learning Tree and Project WILD facilitator in North Dakota, helping to equip other educators with the tools and confidence to teach nature-based education. She has a passion for early childhood and building North Dakota's facilitator team, ultimately helping to make environmental education accessible and available for all educators and students across the state.
Other Tree Award winners were:
- Fire Department Cooperator of the Year, Burlington Rural Fire Department
- Community of the Year, Maddock
- Conservation Achievement, Jeff Miller, Kindred
- Distinguished Service, Dave Schacher, West Fargo Parks District
- Excellence in Government, Barnes County Soil Conservation District
- Forest Stewardship Landowner of the Year, Erik Bute, Pembina
- Media Outreach, The North Dakota Outdoors Podcast
- Natural Resource Professional of the Year, Edward Bahm, Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Center
- 2026 Smokey Bear Poster Contest Winner, Wyatt Emery, Bismarck
- Tree Celebration, Tate Topa Tribal School and Warwick Public School
- Volunteer Organization of the Year, Hatton Beautification Committee
- Youth Tree Planters, Girl Scout Troops 31025 and 30217 of Jamestown
- Distinguished Leadership, Sens. Dale Patten of Watford City and Greg Kessel of Belfield
The winners were provided a luncheon in the Fargodome, which was followed by an awards ceremony. State Forester Thomas Claeys presented each winner with a plaque, and the winners were also recognized at half-time of the NDSU football game vs. Jacksonville State. After the game, the North Dakota Forest Service distributed 3,000 Black Hills spruce and bur oak trees to game attendees, grown by Towner State Nursery.
To nominate an individual who contributes to forestry and fire management for a Trees Award, visit the North Dakota State University website.