John Kush, a research fellow in the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) was recently chosen to receive the W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Achievement Award for his volunteer efforts to advance responsible natural resource stewardship in Alabama.
John Kush was recently chosen to receive the W. Kelly Mosley Environmental Achievement Award. Kush, who is on the right, is shown from left to right with Mosley Professor and Extension Coordinator Mark Smith and fellow employee, Kelly Knowles, who nominated Kush.
His leadership in educating and training volunteers on the importance and application of prescribed fire in forest management, native plant restoration and wildlife habitat creation have benefited Auburn University and extended to various areas across Alabama.
The Mosley Award for Achievement in Forestry, Wildlife, and Related Resources recognizes achievements that have resulted in the wiser use of Alabama’s renewable natural resources. The program is administered by Auburn University and was made possible by a gift from an Auburn alumnus, the late W. Kelly Mosley of Atlanta, Georgia, and from the John and Mary Franklin Foundation.
Within his role in the CFWE, Kush performs research related to forest stand dynamics, fire ecology and restoration ecology and teaches undergraduate and graduate classes related to these areas.
Kush was nominated by fellow College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment employee Kelly Knowles.
“Through his work to enhance, develop and maintain demonstration areas at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest and the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, Kush has significantly bolstered the educational value of these properties, visited annually by thousands,” said Knowles.
For over three decades, the Mosley Environmental Awards Program has recognized “unsung heroes” who have substantially contributed to the responsible stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources in areas such as forestry, wildlife, fisheries, soil, water, air, wildflowers, non-game wildlife, environmental education, conservation and urban forestry.
The Mosley Environmental Achievement Award recipients are presented with a certificate of recognition and a framed limited-edition reproduction of a forestry/wildlife painting, symbolizing their remarkable contributions to the preservation and sustainable management of Alabama’s natural assets.
(Written by Allison Killingsworth)
