Posted: January 14, 2026 | Industry News
Good forestry doesn’t just grow healthy forests—it protects the water that runs through them. That commitment to balance and stewardship is exactly why North Carolina Forest Service Warren County staff have been named recipients of the 2025 Moreland Gueth Water Quality Award, one of the Forest Service’s highest honors related to water resource protection.
Presented annually, the Moreland Gueth Water Quality Award recognizes Forest Service employees or teams who demonstrate exceptional creativity, dedication, and consistency in protecting North Carolina’s water resources while supporting active forest management. For Warren County, where timber harvesting is a regular and essential part of the local landscape, that recognition reflects years of hard work, boots-on-the-ground inspections, and strong relationships across the forestry community.
Forestry and water quality are deeply connected. Logging operations—especially during winter months—can pose risks to streams, wetlands, and downstream water supplies if best management practices (BMPs) aren’t followed closely. That’s why inspections, site visits, and proactive communication are such a critical part of modern forest management.
According to Brian Yeich, Assistant Regional Forester for Forest Management in NCFS Region 2, Warren County’s success comes down to awareness and relationships.
When harvesting activity ramps up, Warren County personnel know that finding active logging sites early and often makes it much easier to keep operations in compliance with forestry practice guidelines. That proactive approach, combined with strong working relationships with landowners, consulting foresters, loggers, and timber buyers, has made water quality protection a consistent priority across the county.
The award recognizes the collective efforts of County Ranger Jim Short, Assistant County Rangers Sam Wright and Jeremy Seaman, and Glen Garner, Forest Fire Equipment Operator. While each plays a different role, their shared focus on water quality has helped set Warren County apart within the Piedmont region.
From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, Warren County NCFS staff conducted:
Those numbers don’t happen by accident. They reflect time spent in the field, careful attention to detail, and a willingness to assist landowners and loggers before small issues become major problems.
Short credits the entire team, noting that Garner conducts a large portion of the inspections and that everyone contributes to keeping water quality front and center in a county with busy forest management activity. “The guys here are super,” Short said—simple words that carry a lot of meaning in a profession built on trust and follow-through.
Established in 2010, the Moreland Gueth Water Quality Award honors the legacy of Moreland Gueth, who served as the NCFS Water Quality and Wetlands Staff Forester from 1995 to 2004. Gueth was known for taking a firm stance on protecting water resources while maintaining a fair, common-sense approach when working with landowners and loggers.
That philosophy—protect the resource without losing sight of the realities of working forests—is still at the heart of North Carolina forestry today. The work being done in Warren County is a clear reflection of that legacy in action.
Over the last several years, Warren County has consistently ranked among the top counties in the Piedmont for water quality accomplishments. High inspection numbers, strong compliance rates, and cooperative relationships across the forestry sector have made the county a regional leader.
For landowners, this means confidence that forest operations are being monitored responsibly. For loggers and timber buyers, it means clear expectations and fair oversight. And for everyone downstream, it means cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and forests that continue to provide economic and environmental benefits.
Awards like this aren’t just internal recognition—they highlight how effective forest management supports long-term land value and environmental health. Water quality protection plays a direct role in:
When counties invest time and resources into inspections and education, everyone benefits—from individual landowners to entire communities.
The 2025 Moreland Gueth Water Quality Award is a well-earned acknowledgment of the dedication shown by Warren County NCFS staff. Their work proves that active forestry and strong environmental protection don’t have to be at odds—they can, and should, go hand in hand.
At Carolina Forestry & Realty, we’re always glad to see forestry professionals recognized for doing things the right way. Congratulations to the Warren County team for setting the bar high and continuing to protect North Carolina’s forests and waters for generations to come.