NEW HAMPSHIRE—Society of American Foresters bestowed Mariko Yamasaki with the National Technology Transfer Award at its October 2023 annual convention. This recognition serves as a fitting capstone atop a long and successful career with the USDA Forest Service, as Yamasaki retired May 1 after 40 years with the agency.

“Mariko’s contributions to our profession have been significant, and I cannot think of a person more deserving of this recognition by SAF,” said Coeli Hoover, one of Yamasaki’s former colleagues, who helped submit the nomination. Hoover joined the Forestry Sciences Lab in Durham, New Hampshire, in 2003, and began working with Yamasaki. Throughout the two decades of their association, Hoover absorbed a wealth of knowledge from Yamasaki. “I can personally vouch for her boundless generosity with her time, her desire to share her knowledge, and her endless patience—especially when confronted with partially constructed research ideas, wildlife questions or requests for bird identifications,” reflected Hoover.

Yamasaki’s influence in the Northern Research Station’s silviculture and wildlife management has been enormous, with lasting contributions to research as well as influence on the many coworkers who crossed paths with her over the years. She joined the Forest Service in 1980 on the Ottawa National Forest, transferring a few years later to Forest Service Research and Development, whereafter she assumed responsibilities for research and administration at the Bartlett Experimental Forest and the Massabesic Experimental Forest. Under her leadership, these experimental forests evolved into respected programs focused on integrated silviculture and wildlife habitat.

Yamasaki sought to explore the value of early successional habitat for various wildlife species as a primary research area. She and Dick DeGraaf produced two major forest wildlife habitat management guides based partly on their original work; the guides have become go-to references in the Northeast. Additionally, she developed a matrix reference system that combines silvicultural stand conditions with wildlife species occurrence and utilization, which has proven to be an innovative tool that is easily understood by forest managers.

“Mariko’s field experience and plain speaking give her credibility among natural resource managers, allowing her influence to extend far beyond her work at the Bartlett and Massabesic experimental forests,” said research forester Laura Kenefic. “Over her long career, Mariko has advocated for the use of silviculture to manage wildlife habitat. Her goal has always been to give practical and scientifically based recommendations to the foresters who, through their actions, manipulate forest structure and composition and thus affect New England wildlife habitat. She is ideally suited for this role because she knows how to speak the language of foresters.” 

Yamasaki's expertise was sought by White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, private companies, and practitioners from across the globe. Jason Lyle, forest silviculturist for the White Mountain National Forest, said about the wide reach of her work, “Mariko’s contributions to silviculture and wildlife habitat management have been felt immensely in the field. Even after her retirement, her work will have a lasting impact on the ways in which we care for the land. I know that I learned a lot from her. She cared deeply about research and education.”

“Mariko is the measure by which Forest Service Research and Development technology transfer should be set,” observed Coeli Hoover. “That is why she justly deserves this SAF honor. But beyond this award and many other prestigious awards, with her retirement Mariko leaves behind a legacy of land managers who have greatly benefited from her work, and that is surely an achievement she can be immensely proud of.”