FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2025
Joel Hambright receives Texas A&M
University Board of Regents Fellow Service Award
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Yesterday,
Joel Hambright, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Operations Chief, received
the 2024 Texas A&M University Board of Regents Fellow Service Award.
Hambright began his career at Texas
A&M Forest Service in 1994 as a District Forester in Cleveland following
his graduation from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Forest
Management. Since then, Hambright has served as District Forester and Regional
Forester in Huntsville. He now serves as a Regional Operations Chief, where he oversees
the operations of agency programs within 13 Southeast Texas counties.
Hambright also holds National
Wildland Coordinating Group qualifications as a Firefighter Type 1; Firefighter
Type 2; Heavy Equipment Boss; Single Resource; Strike Team Leader; Incident
Commander Type 5; and Liaison Officer.
“Throughout his 31-year career with
the agency, Joel has provided remarkable contributions to Texas A&M Forest
Service and the state of Texas,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service
Director. “His life’s work personifies this award by delivering exceptional
programs that have significant impacts across local, state and national
levels.”
One of Hambright’s most pivotal
accomplishments at the agency is his role in the development of the Texas
Forest Expo, a two-day, hands-on workshop for landowners and homeowners near
Houston to manage their property and make sustainable development decisions. These
efforts created a platform for forestry professionals, researchers and
stakeholders to showcase innovative practices, elevating awareness of sustainable
forestry statewide.
Hambright’s advocacy for landowner
education also led to community resiliency and environmental sustainability
through the expansion of the agency’s landowner land management planning
services. These services allow Texas A&M Forest Service foresters to empower
landowners to inventory and create unique land management goals that they then
use to create tailored land management plans. By doing so, Texas landowners are
better equipped to make informed decisions for the long-term health and
productivity of their forested lands.
“Recognizing that private lands are
crucial to the overall health of our forests, Joel has worked diligently to
build strong, trusting relationships with private landowners and timberland
investment firms,” said Rob Hughes, Texas Forestry Association Executive
Director. “His ability to communicate the benefits of conservation programs and
wildfire protection measures has led to widespread participation and successful
implementation of these initiatives.”
Additionally, Hambright has
expressed his passion for education through his involvement with Project
Learning Tree, an environmental education program designed for teachers,
educators and parents. His efforts have enabled Project Learning Tree to expand
its reach and impact across Texas schools and communities through the annual A
Walk in the Forest, which equips educators with resources and training to
engage students in hands-on learning about forests and natural resources.
Hambright has received numerous
awards for his service in forestry including the Texas A&M Agrilife Vice
Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Public Service in Forestry in 2018, the
Texas Forestry Association Forestry Outreach and Education award in 2023 and
Laurence C. Walker Award for Distinguished Service to Forestry by the Texas
Society of American Foresters in 2024.
The Regents Fellow Service Award is the highest honor annually presented
by the Texas A&M University System to 12 extension, research and service
members for their exemplary professional service to society that has created
large and lasting benefits to Texas and beyond. To date, 18 Texas A&M
Forest Service personnel have received this award.
Hambright is one of two Texas
A&M Forest Service personnel receiving the Regents Fellow Service Award
this year.
###
Photos: https://agrilife.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000QgW5FLoxzN0/G000093BlWBiJaQI/Joel-Hambright-Regional-Operations-Chief
Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Communications Office, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu, 979-458-6606