MONTPELIER – Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation staffers were recognized by Commissioner Danielle (Danny) Fitzko for their achievements at the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Earth Day celebration, April 22.
Orleans County Forester Jared Nunery was recognized for his outstanding contributions with the Canute Dalmasse Award, and Kathryn Wrigley and Keith Thompson for completing the year-long ANR Leadership Development Program (LEAD), “no small commitment alongside their day-to-day work,” said Fitzko.
“It was incredible to see FPR so well represented across the Agency. Each of them reflects the strength of this Department, bringing thoughtfulness, leadership, and a deep commitment to the work we do every day,” she said.
“Jared Nunery was absolutely floored to discover that he was at the National Life cafeteria not to help congratulate Thompson for his LEAD graduation, but because he and the planning office’s Jen Mojo were being recognized as the 2026 winners of the Canute Dalmasse Award.” noted the announcement.
The Canute Dalmasse Award recognizes an outstanding ANR staff member whose work reflects the values Canute Dalmasse championed during his 36 years in Vermont state government. His career spanned some of the agency’s most formative work: he served as one of the first Act 250 district coordinators, led the former Office of Water Resources (predecessor to our current Watershed Management Division), served as DEC Commissioner for four years and as Deputy Secretary for seven years before retiring.
Nominations from colleagues for the award recognize the kind of public service that defines the best of ANR staff; a person who demonstrates dedication to natural resources and public health protection, dedication to the people of Vermont and dedication to their co-workers.
Being connected with Canute, “who worked behind the scenes,” to make a big difference in Vermont “is a huge honor and recognition by peers to receive that level of confidence,” said Nunery about receiving the award.
“Nunery is a scientist who devours new research and applies it to the art and science of managing forests,” wrote Fitzko in a newsletter article about his award.
“He has a rare gift for translating complex concepts into language anyone can understand. Calm, approachable, ethical and deeply kind, he asks questions that cut to the heart of a problem and takes the time to make sure his audience leaves with genuine understanding. His commitment to sharing his knowledge of UVA (Use Value Appraisal) with colleagues, landowners, students and the public helps ensure the integrity of a program that is foundational to Vermont’s working landscape.”
Fitzko continued, “Much of what sets Jared apart is his commitment to the next generation of Vermonters. He works regularly with students of all ages, leading field trips to active harvests, hosting job shadows and partnering with the North Country Career Center in Newport and Green Mountain Technical Career Center in Hardwick, where he has been a consistent advocate for forestry programs when they’ve faced the chopping block. His series of public events at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center on ecological forest management, old forests, and conservation reflects the same spirit: bringing people into direct contact with the working landscape so they can see it, understand it, and care about it.
As a retired colleague put it: “People only see what they know, love what they see, and protect what they love.”
Nunery hosts workshops and events on nights and weekends, all while being, by the accounts of those who know him, an exceptional father raising children with the same environmental ethic he lives by, said Fitzko.
“Inside FPR, Jared’s leadership of the Northern Team is exceptional, with time together in the woods, visiting timber sales on state, private, and town forest lands, meeting with landowners, touring mills and pounding ash logs into splints for Abenaki basket makers. He seeks out training opportunities, shares emerging research, and is reliably among the first to offer a clear path forward when a complex question arises. He covers for teammates without hesitation and checks in after hard life events with genuine care. The result is a team whose members describe one another as close friends, a culture built, over time, by Jared’s steady leadership, humor, and down-to-earth presence. “Congratulations, Jared!” she concluded.
Nunnery said Monday that he will be with a Craftsbury fourth-grade class Friday to continue learning about them that began this past winter when they visited several logging jobs.
