Braintree Student Is Honored For Land Stewardship Work

Gerry Reymore, RTCC Environmental Science instructor; Cody Montgomery, RTCC and RUHS senior; and Nadine Berrini of the Vermont Land Trust, take a moment Tuesday to present Montgomery with the 2007 Vt. Land Trust Award. (Herald / Tim Calabro)

Randolph Union High School student Cody Montgomery, of Braintree, was honored June 12 by the Vermont Land Trust for his exceptional commitment to land stewardship in the field of forestry.

Montgomery, who is one of 10 outstanding seniors from around the state to be recognized for his commitment to land stewardship, was presented with a Land Stewards’ Award by Elise Annes, vice president of community relations for the Vermont Land Trust. He received a $250 cash award that may be used by recipients towards education or equipment.

Montgomery will graduate this month from the Randolph Technical Career Center, where his class manages the four Randolph town forests. As part of his class work, he completed many planting, thinning and trail projects. Both his father and grandfather were loggers.

"Since I was old enough to be in the woods, I always helped my dad out," Montgomery said, speaking about how he helps his father produce firewood. "I love being outside. I love leaving the woods in better condition than when I found them."

This fall, he will attend the Castleton State College Environmental Studies program with a focus on forestry.

____________