Long Time Career Forester Retires

Master Naturalists honor Jim McGlone

Susan Laume

Wednesday, September 27, 2023


Fairfax Master Naturalists celebrated Jim McGlone for his career and recent retirement from the Virginia Department of Forestry in June. McGlone, an urban forest conservationist and forester, established the popular nature volunteer group chapter in Fairfax County in 2007. He served as the chapter advisor and instructed the learning certification classes over the years that have graduated hundreds of citizen scientists. Master Naturalist volunteers actively work on conservation 

Urban forester, Jim McGlone is honored for his career work with Fairfax Master Naturalists
 

 

projects across the county with service hours and continuing education credits required to maintain their certification. McGlone is noted with graduates of the program for teaching dendrology; the ‘-ology’ class most frequently requiring look-up (the science and study of woody plants, specifically, their taxonomic classifications). He was recognized in 2017 with Fairfax County’s Environmental Excellence Award. 


On Sept. 24, the chapter said goodbye with an event at Frying Pan Park. Joining current chapter president Sarah Mayhew on stage with other past presidents was historic figure Aldo Leopod. The American writer, naturalist, and environmentalist, who is well known for his “Sand County Almanac,” among the readings shared by Fairfax County Naturalists.