Governor Mills Honors Cole Brothers with 2026 Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award

Governor Mills Honors Cole Brothers with 2026 Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award

November 6, 2026

Sidney logging business owners recognized for outstanding contributions to sustainable forest management in Maine

AUGUSTA - Governor Janet Mills recently presented William "Will" Cole and Donald "Don" Cole of Sidney with the 2026 Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award during a ceremony at the Blaine House, recognizing their outstanding contributions to sustainable forest management in Maine. The brothers operate Trees Ltd., a family-owned logging business.

The Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award, established in 2004, recognizes exemplary stewardship of Maine's working forests. Presented through a partnership between Maine TREE and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), the award honors individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates a lasting commitment to sustainable forest management.

The Coles have also helped landowners, forestry professionals, and members of the public better understand forest management through their work at Maine TREE's Holt Research Forest in Arrowsic. Through these harvests, and many others over the decades, on private and public woodlands throughout central and southern Maine, their work illustrates the connection between long-term forest management, skilled logging, healthy forests, and a viable forest products industry. By sharing their experience and demonstrating thoughtful harvesting practices, the brothers help others understand how working forests can provide economic and environmental benefits over time.

Don attended the ceremony with his spouse, Alanna Cole. Joining the celebration were Logan Johnson, executive director of Maine TREE; independent forester Barrie Brusila; forester Harold Burnett; Tree Farmer Andy Reed and his spouse, Gayle Reed; and former commissioner of the Maine Department of Conservation Ron Lovaglio.

Also attending were Benjamin Grant, deputy executive director of legislative and public affairs, and Michelle Tibbetts, marketing and digital content coordinator, with the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast; and Krysta West, executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council. Representing DACF were Maine State Forester Patty Cormier, DACF Deputy Commissioner Jo D. Saffeir, and Director of the Forest Policy and Management Morten Moesswilde.

Recent recipients of the Austin H. Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award include The Nature Conservancy's Maine Chapter in 2025, Karin Tilberg in 2024, the University of Maine School of Forest Resources in 2023, and Kennet Laustsen in 2021. The Cole brothers join these and many other honorees in a tradition of recognizing outstanding stewardship of Maine's working forests.

The award's namesake, Austin H. Wilkins, joined the Maine Forest Service in 1928 and served as Commissioner of Forestry from 1958 to 1972. He helped lead Maine's response to the devastating forest fires of 1947 and strengthened regional cooperation in forest fire protection. The award carries forward his lifelong commitment to the stewardship of Maine's forests.

For more information contact: Jim Britt at: [email protected]

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