Hidden Valley Nature Center’s cofounders Bambi Jones and Tracy Moskovitz attended the American Tree Farm’s Annual Convention in Pittsburg, Penn., July 17-19. They were there to receive their 2014 North East Regional Outstanding Tree Farm Award. Three other regional winners were also recognized.

Tom Martin, CEO and president of the American Forest Foundation and the American Tree Farm System presented the award to Jones, Moskovitz and Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) in Jefferson, Maine “for their outstanding forest stewardship practices and their unique educational opportunities and outreach efforts.”

Jones and Moskovitz gave a presentation which featured the many nature based programs, the strong community support from local and national businesses, the vast contribution from hundreds of volunteers, and exemplary forestry practices.

Bambi’s 92-year-old father made the trip from Cleveland. “This showed me aspects of the nature center I wasn’t aware of. I didn’t even know that Bambi was an accomplished bulldozer operator.”

Andy McEvoy, Hidden Valley Nature Center’s director, has played a large part in HVNC’s expansion and recent successes. He was unable to attend the event because on the four day high school timber frame class underway at the same time at the nature center.

HVNC will celebrate the award on September 6 with a full day of forestry related events, demonstrations, talks and walks and games. The annual Live Edge music festival will follow. It will be a full day of fun for the whole family and it’s all free (except for the delicious food offered) and open to the public.

HVNC in Jefferson is a nonprofit education and recreation center hosting many diverse opportunities to explore the outdoors. For more information about HVNC’s events, or to find out how you can support HVNC visit www.hvnc.org, write to info@hvnc.org, or call 207-200-8840.