Craighead honored as Heritage Forester

Craighead was inducted into the Heritage Forester Hall of Fame at ceremonies held in June at the Forest Heritage Center at Beavers Bend State Park near Broken Bow.  He was recognized for outstanding leadership, professionalism and dedication to forestry education and to the improvement of Oklahoma’s forest resources.

Craig McKinley, professor and Extension forestry specialist with OSU’s department of natural resources and ecology management, said Craighead is very deserving of the recognition and honor.

“He left big shoes to fill here,” McKinley said.

McKinley spoke of the programs and the commitment Craighead had to the importance of forestry resources in the state, and the respect his colleagues hold for him.

A pioneer in Oklahoma forestry who holds Oklahoma State Forester license number seven, Craighead has influenced many of Oklahoma’s foresters and the forestry industry in Oklahoma, McKinley said.

State Forester John Burwell, director of the Forestry Division with Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry, said Craighead has influenced him nearly all of his life.

“He was the assistant camp director at the Oklahoma Youth Forestry Camp in Beavers Bend State Park when I attended as a youngster,” Burwell said.  “When I enrolled at OSU and selected forestry as my major, Max met me in the halls and took me under his wing.”

Burwell said that Craighead continued to mentor him through the early years of his career, and helped him develop good working relationships with other agencies and people across the state.

“Max’s connections at all levels were what made him so effective at what he did as an Extension forester,” Burwell said.  “He is certainly looked upon as a highly professional representative of our profession.  He did a great deal to educate old and young on the need for forest conservation and management.”

Craighead enrolled in forestry at Oklahoma A & M College after a stint in the U.S. Air Force, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in forest management in 1958.

During his first year as an Extension forester, after learning about the Oklahoma Youth Forestry Camp started by Harry Rigdon and Lee Clymer, Craighead gathered up a small group of 4-H boys and headed to the camp.  He was involved with OYFC for the next 28 years.  Craighead assisted Clymer until 1974, when health concerns caused Clymer to turn camp direction over to him.

The Youth Forestry Camp is supported by the forest industry and state and federal agencies and in 2006 celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Craighead received his Master of Science degree in forest management from OSU in 1970, and continued to pursue responsibilities coordinating area forester activities and statewide delivery of educational forestry programs.

He has remained active in professional forestry organizations and has been a member of the Society of American Foresters since 1959.  In 1983, he was elected a Fellow of SAF, and in 1986 was elected to a three-year term on the SAF National Council.  Craighead has held chair positions on many regional and national forestry committees.  He has authored more than 30 publications on forest management, windbreaks and youth forestry.  With Clymer, he developed the 4-H Forestry County and State Forestry Fair Exhibit Program.  He assisted with the development of the Oklahoma 4-H and FFA Forestry Judging Contest.

Other awards Craighead has received include the Distinguished Service Award from the Oklahoma and National Association of County Extension Agents, and the State Extension Superior Service.

 
Craighead was a founding member of the Oklahoma Board of Registration for Foresters and a founding member of the Oklahoma Forestry Association, Burwell said.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Janet F. Reeder
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communication Services
Oklahoma State University
142 Agriculture North
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-3651
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: janet.reeder@okstate.edu

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