Sept. 17, 2015 — COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Manager Linda Moon received the National Association of State Foresters’ Austin Short Current Achievement Award for Communications at the NASF conference this week in Lake Tahoe, California.
In order to be considered, an individual must have beneficially contributed to NASF and state forestry in general. From her commitment to communicating the importance of Texas’ natural resources to her willingness to serve on national committees, Moon has made an impact in forestry in Texas, the South and across the country.
Throughout her nine-year career at TFS, Moon has strived for excellence not only in communications but in positioning the state agency as a leader in forestry and emergency response in the nation.
“For her entire career with TFS, Linda has seemingly gone from one natural disaster to another — whether hurricanes, ice storms or wildland fires — and has tackled every one of those with her unique style and professionalism,” said TFS Director Tom Boggus. “On top of all that, were some very key state legislative sessions where telling the TFS story and message were absolutely crucial. Linda came through with flying colors each time.”
In 2011, during Texas’ historic and destructive wildfire season, Moon acted as the agency administrator overseeing public information efforts and 282 public information officers. She developed information processes, social media guidelines, conducted media relations for incident management and led wildfire prevention efforts by acquiring high-profile personalities — including Nolan Ryan and four Big Twelve Conference football coaches — to deliver prevention messages.
“The devastating fire season of 2011 thrust Texas into the national spotlight, and Linda carried the TFS brand with grace, and seemingly with ease, to leverage the disaster into a truly teachable moment for the entire country,” said Wendy Burnett, chair of Southern Group of State Foresters’ Communications Committee.
Serving as head of communications and marketing for TFS, Moon also took on additional roles in several forestry-related associations. Most notably was her role as communications committee chair for the South’s leading group of forestry experts. Here she headed the rebranding efforts for the Southern Group of State Foresters, leading the association into a new era of forestry with a fresh look.
Moon also was instrumental in the successful launch of both the Texas and Southern Wildfire Risk Assessment Portals. Each internet-accessible tool is a suite of applications used across 13 southern states to help homeowners and communities determine wildfire risk and take measures to protect themselves.
“Linda’s commitment to her work continually provides leadership and inspiration for her counterparts in other states. She has on numerous occasions offered her work as a template for other states to follow. By providing her marketing plan for TxWRAP to our committee, we effortlessly introduced SouthWRAP to our respective southern states,” Burnett said. “For all of her hard work, guidance and support she is truly worthy of this award.”
Beyond Texas and the Southern region of the U.S., Moon has made an impact nationally. As the communications and marketing chair for the All Hazards Incident Management Team Association for two years, she conducted market analysis which led to its rebranding and current marketing efforts. She was also asked to speak at the National Agricultural Alumni Development Association conference where she discussed the importance of forestry, state forestry agencies and conservation and protection of natural resources for a group of over 200 attendees from over 70 colleges across the nation.
“I believe that anyone can make a difference from anywhere. You don’t have to be in a national organization or in a national position to impact on a national level, affect change or further forestry messages,” Moon said.
Moon graduated from Texas A&M University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications and minor in journalism. She also led the development of the TFS centennial exhibit at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, where tens of thousands of visitors have the opportunity to experience the world of forestry and importance of conservation and protection through Nov. 8. She is an active member of Texas Forestry Association and has been for the last five years.
The NASF Current Achievement Awards are presented annually to one or more deserving state foresters, members of a state forester's staff or individuals or organizations who partner in the protection and sustainable management of America’s forests.
“Linda strongly believes in the mission of state forestry agencies and looks for opportunities to spread our message at all levels — local, state, regional and national,” Boggus said. “She epitomizes everything the Austin Short Communication Award stands for and richly deserves this recognition and appreciation from the National Association of State Foresters. Congratulations, Linda Moon!”
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Editor’s Note: Attached photo, pictured left is TFS Communications Manager Linda Moon with TFS Director Tom Boggus after receiving the Austin Short Current Achievement Award for Communications. For more photos of the 2015 NASF annual meeting visit http://stateforesters.org.
Contact:
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications
979-458-6600, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu