OneCanopy’s Katelynn Martinez Receives Young Forester Leadership Award
We are proud to announce that Katelynn Martinez, Director of Operations and Business Development at OneCanopy, has been honored with the Young Forester Leadership Award by the Colorado/Wyoming Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). This award recognizes emerging professionals under the age of 40 that demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to sustainable forestry, and meaningful contributions to the forestry profession and community.
In announcing the award, SAF shared the following:
“We are pleased to award Katelynn Martinez with the 2025 SAF Young Forester Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding and sustained leadership benefiting the practice of forestry and her invaluable contributions to the SAF.
Through her continuous commitment to the profession, her leadership in the SAF, and her tireless efforts to further the mission of sustainable forestry, Katelynn exemplifies the qualities that this award seeks to honor. As Director of Operations and Business Development for [OneCanopy], Katelynn has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the field of forestry, particularly through her ongoing support of reforestation efforts across Colorado. Her efforts ensure that reforestation is not only a practice but a sustained effort that positively impacts both the environment and local communities. Through Katelynn’s leadership, OneCanopy is filling critical gaps in the reforestation pipeline by growing more than one million seedlings annually for restoration and reforestation efforts across the Rocky Mountain region. Furthermore, her work as an employer, colleague, and mentor has made a lasting impact on the next generation of forestry professionals. Katelynn’s sustained leadership – in both her professional endeavors and her work with SAF – has had a profound impact on the practice of forestry in Colorado and beyond. Her active participation in numerous initiatives—such as facilitating educational events, leading key activities at national conventions and annual meetings, and collaborating with a broad range of partners demonstrates a long-term commitment to improving the field of forestry.
Katelynn is known for her tireless work ethic, her ability to maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations, and – above all – her unrelenting desire to help others. Whether in her professional role, as a mentor to the next generation of forestry leaders, or through her service to SAF, she consistently goes above and beyond. Katelynn embodies the spirit of leadership, collaboration, and dedication that the Young Forester Leadership Award seeks to celebrate. Congratulations, Katelynn.”
Katelynn has also been nominated for the national Young Forester Leadership Award, which will be announced later this summer. This national honor is presented to one recipient each year and is among the most prestigious recognitions in the forestry profession for early-career leaders.
Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition of Katelynn’s outstanding leadership and dedication to land stewardship. We are proud to have her guiding OneCanopy’s growth and impact as we work together to restore and protect our region’s forested landscapes.
To learn more about the Young Forester Leadership Award, visit the Society of American Foresters website.
