Forester recognized for his contributions to the forestry community
WESTMINSTER ― Forestry is a niche practice that is critical to preserving the nation's forests.
For New Hampshire economic forester, Jamie Dammann, forestry has been a 45-year career which has been recognized with the 2022 John H. Lambert Forest Stewardship award.
The award is given annually to people who have made long-term contributions to the conservation of state forests. It is named after John H. Lambert Jr., a former chief forester for Massachusetts.
As the leading procurement forester of the Westminster-based energy plant, originally named Pinetree Power Fitchburg, now is called New England Renewable Power Fitchburg, LLC, Dammann has created long-lasting relationships with local foresters and timber harvesters to provide New England consumers with affordable wood-fueled electricity.
Dammann graduated from University of New Hampshire with a forestry degree in 1978. After obtaining ground forestry experience he started a small Westminster-based energy plant business, Renewable Power Fitchburg, in 1985.
Renewable Power Fitchburg station converts wood waste, often called biomass, into electricity and then delivers the power to consumers in Worcester County. Renewable Power Fitchburg got its start by purchasing and managing fuel supplies for a power plant in New Hampshire, Dammann said.
The station began as the bridge between the power plants and the timber harvesters that produced timber, fiber, pulp, and firewood. Renewable Power now manages the fuel supplies for four power plants, one in Westminster and three in Bridgewater, Whitefield, and Springfield, New Hampshire. Each plant produces enough electricity to power 10,000 homes.
Founder of Massachusetts Forest Alliance
Dammann was a key contributor in establishing the Massachusetts Forest Alliance in 2012, and in so doing, he helped unify three separate organizations of wood producers, foresters, and forest landowners to be the voice for forestry and anyone involved in the forestry community in Massachusetts. Since the Alliance's founding Dammann has served as treasurer and has organized several effective fundraisers for the Alliance.
"The idea of the Alliance is to promote local woods and local goods, buying local wood, and promoting good Forestry and Forest Stewardship, which basically means taking care of the forest," he said.
MFA Executive Director, Chris Egan has worked with Dammann for nine years in the Alliance, describing him as a fundamental contributor and a tremendous asset.
"One of the things that immediately impressed me about Jamie is the fact that he extremely well-connected and due to the fact that he is very personable, he gets along with everybody," Egan said. "He's quick to make friendships and his level of knowledge with the practice of forestry was really impressive."
Dammann said he would like to see forestry become part of public knowledge and seen as an essential to keeping our woodlands and local economy healthy.
Dammann said he will retire at some put but for now wants to keep working in forestry as long as he can.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: After 45 years, New England forester is recognized for his contributions
