Long-time SEFS affiliate professor Don Hanley passed away on September 2nd after years of battling cancer. Don was a valued colleague, mentor, and friend, and had recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Kris Hanley.  For over 25 years, Don held concurrent faculty positions at the UW and Washington State University as a professor and extension forester and was based at UW Seattle. Throughout his distinguished career in forestry, Don was a force for change. He guided private forest landowners towards sustainable, productive stewardship over their resources and developed an educational program, including tours, demonstrations, workshops, and publications that benefited nearly 40,000 Washington residents who own forest land.

Don was selected for the Career Leadership Award from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals in 2010 for his outstanding work in the field. In 2019, Don was awarded Forester of the Year by the Washington State Society of American Foresters for his efforts in guiding and educating forest landowners. He helped private landowners and professional foresters alike achieve their goals to protect and sustainably manage Washington’s natural resources. Don retired in 2009 and remained an active volunteer, dedicated husband, and emeritus extension forester within the Washington forestry community. His contributions and memory will not be forgotten.

For memorial updates, see Don Hanley’s obituary.