ALBANY — For his lifetime dedication to contributing to forestry and to the Association of Consulting Foresters of America (ACF), Richard Carbonetti, of Albany, has been honored with the organization’s national Distinguished Forester award.
The award marks a forester’s contributions to the application of forestry on private lands, to the advancement of the profession, to private ownership of forestlands, and to the national organization.
“Carbo truly deserves this award for his countless valuable contributions to the forestry industry,” said Justin M. Miller, ACF, Green Timber Consulting Forestry, Inc., and president of ACF. “From serving as ACF President to being a regular instructor for ACF’s Practice of Consulting Forestry Course, Carbo has made a significant impact on ACF, the consulting forester professional and his forestry colleagues.”
A member of ACF since 2001, Carbo served as ACF President from 2010 to 2012, and was a member of ACF’s Executive Committee from 2008 to 2014.
He has served on many ACF committees including the search for the new Executive Director, the branding/certification, membership requirements, member benefits, national office, and compensation committees.
Currently, he serves on ACF’s Ruffed Grouse Society collaboration committee.
“Through ACF, I am very proud to have participated in the growth of the organization as well as to help mentor younger foresters enter the consulting forestry profession,” said Carbo.
Currently, at LandVest, Carbo is responsible for special project, client relations, training, and mentoring the staff of natural resource professionals who manage more than 2 million acres of timberland in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States.
In 1978, Carbo founded Round Top Woodlot Management a firm providing a full suite of consulting forestry services.
He grew the company from 1978 to 1995 hiring professionals to work with him.
Eventually, Carbo’s firm Round Top merged with LandVest, and Carbo was promoted to VP Timberland in 2010, then promoted to Senior Vice President.
He currently serves as Senior Advisor, Timberland Division.
In addition to his daily responsibilities, Carbo also represents LandVest and its clients in many forest industry organizations.
As a forestry expert, Carbo has delivered speeches and testified before legislative committees on forestry and property rights issues.
In addition to his ACF experience, he has served in leadership roles with the Society of American Forestry, the American Forest Foundation, Vermont’s Forestry Communications Council, Northern Forest Lands Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, The Center for Northern Woodlands Education, Vermont Council on Rural Development, Associated Industries of VT Forest Policy Task Force, Adirondack Park Agency Working Group and various VT Forests, Parks, and Recreation Committees.
“We congratulate Carbo for his contributions to ACF which are almost too numerous to list,” said Shannon McCabe, CAE, Executive Director, ACF. “This is the highest honor a consulting forester can achieve, and it couldn’t have gone to anyone more deserving.”
In addition to his ACF Distinguished Forester Award, Carbo received recognition as a SAF Fellow 2018, University of Maine School of Forest Resources 2014 Distinguished Forestry Alumni Award, and the New England SAF 2007 Integrity in Conservation Award.
He graduated with a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine at Orono in 1977.
While in college, he served as president of the SAF student chapter and was a member of UMO’s Gamma Chapter Xi Sigma Pi Forestry Honor Society.
Foresters considered for this award are nominated and voted on by their ACF member peers across the country.
ACF members help landowners enhance property values, increase the value of timber, produce a more sustainable timber harvest, enhance wildlife habitat, and establish and protect family forest legacy.
Because of their vital role in the supply chain, ACF members have been deemed essential workers during COVID-19.
As a condition of membership, every consulting forester must have minimum education and experience levels, complete the Practice of Consulting Forestry course, and most importantly, agree to adhere to the organization’s stringent Code of Ethics.
