James Garner

The Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute (VNRLI) is honored to present the McCarthy Lifetime Achievement Award to James Garner. This award recognizes the outstanding contribution of James in protecting Virginia’s natural and historic resources. 

Jim Garner provided outstanding leadership to the Department of Forestry for 21 years and was a leader in advancing natural resource issues through collaborative problem solving. Jim joined the Department of Forestry in 1958 after graduating from Virginia Tech. As State Forester, he created the first ever State Forester's Water Quality Task Force, which brought together the logging industry and environmental groups to address Best Management Practices for logging and reduce sedimentation in streams from timber harvesting. He served on the Board of Trustees for the Nature Conservancy, the Board of Directors for the Virginia Wildlife Federation and the Virginia Forestry Association, as well as a member of the State Pesticide Control Board, the Board of Fire Services, and the Council on the Environment. Jim was president of the Mountain Lake Vegetative Management Council and the West Virginia Management Council and a member of the Society of American Foresters. In 1986 Jim was awarded the Virginia Forestry Association’s Man of the Year award, and in 1996 the Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources Outstanding Alumnus Award – the first per son to be named. In 2005 the Virginia Forestry Association awarded Jim their Distinguished Service Award.

Jim also served as a Scout Leader, was a deacon and elder in his church, was District Governor for Eastern Virginia's Ruritan Clubs, and beloved by float fisherman everywhere for his work designating several "Scenic Rivers." He was pivotal in marking the entire length of Dragon Run and Dragon River Swamp.