Waid family receives forestry award from Gianforte

The local Waid ranching family was presented the Governor’s Forest Products Award by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte Thursday morning at the family’s more-than 100-year-old ranch.

Gianforte presented the award to Lon Waid and his family, who run Bear Paw Forestry, which Gianforte said has shown a steadfast commitment to active forest management, maintaining healthy forest environments, a priority for his administration, and for creating great products.

He said the kind of products and work the family does is vitally important to the state and this award is meant to honor their work.

He said he created this award last year to honor innovators in the timber industry, particularly people who demonstrate a commitment to good land stewardship.

Lon Waid and his family thanked the governor for the award and the recognition of their work, after giving him a tour of their facility.