Gainesville Man to Receive First-Ever Crown Award from the Virginia Department of Forestry

Keith Judkins will be the first recipient of the Virginia Department of Forestry's (VDOF) Crown Award at a ceremony March 4. The Gainesville man is being honored by VDOF for his outstanding commitment and support of forestry in the Commonwealth.

Judkins founded the Friends of Conway Robinson State Forest in 2002 and has served as the group's president since then.

The Friends group will gather at 9 a.m. Saturday (March 4) at the Forest for its annual clean-up event. The Crown Award will be presented to Judkins at noon.

A 400-acre forest located near the interchange of I-66 and Route 29, Conway Robinson State Forest was a gift to the Commonwealth from Mr. Robinson's daughter, Agnes. People from all areas of Northern Virginia use the forest for educational and passive recreational opportunities.

"The Friends of Conway Robinson come together several times each year to clear and maintain walking, bicycle and horse trails for the use and enjoyment of Northern Virginia residents," said VDOF Forest Manager Gary Heiser. "Without Mr. Judkins leadership and the tremendous support of the Friends group, Conway Robinson State Forest would not be the jewel it is today."

VDOF Regional Forester Buck Kline, whose 22-county region includes Conway Robinson SF, said, "The Crown Award is the highest honor for service that the Virginia Department of Forestry can bestow upon a citizen of the Commonwealth. I am delighted that Keith will be the first person to receive this award. The members of this organization have given so much of their time and talent for the benefit of others, it seems only fitting that we recognize Keith for creating and leading the Friends group."

The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, there are Forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 248,000 Virginians employed in the forest products industry, Virginia forests provide more than $30 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.