Jackson County man honored with Distinguished Service Award

John Alter’s name has long been synonymous with trees, conservation, and the education of youth in both subjects. His lifelong dedication to forestry and stewardship was recently recognized as he received the Florida Forestry Association’s Distinguished Service Award, one of the organization’s highest honors.

Alter, a Jackson County resident, has been a member of the Association for more than 30 years. Together with his wife, Elizabeth, he owns Alter-Bevis Farms in Malone, Florida. Through their work, the couple has become a shining example of sustainable land management and community involvement.

“John is the kind of member that every association wants to have,” said Association President Avery C. Roberts. “His ideas and efforts have made a tremendous impact on our organization.”

Among his many contributions, Alter spearheaded the Forestry in the Classroom program, which introduces fourth-graders across Florida to the value of working forests. Just last year, all 16 fourth-grade classes in Jackson County participated during Florida Forests Week. He also initiated a membership drive that proved so effective it was replicated across the state.

Roberts also noted Alter’s leadership beyond the classroom. In 2024, he led a congressional tour showcasing Jackson County’s recovery after Hurricane Michael. He and Elizabeth have hosted association meetings at the historic Bascom School House, a local landmark they helped restore. A skilled writer and communicator, Alter has been an invaluable spokesperson for forestry, lending his expertise to the Association’s communications committee and to journalists statewide.

The honors are not new to the Alters. In 2015, they were named Florida Tree Farmers of the Year, and in 2018, Alter received the Above & Beyond Award from the Association. Still, this year’s Distinguished Service Award highlights a career of continued commitment and passion.

That passion is deeply admired by his colleagues. Barry Stafford, who has worked with Alter for more than a decade on Forestry in the Classroom presentations, describes him as one of a kind.

“John is very driven, he’s a tireless advocate for the forestry industry, from his own tree farms in Bascom, to local government, to the state level, and even nationally,” Stafford said. “He doesn’t just meet expectations, he goes above and beyond them. He manages his land with the same pride and care someone might put into their own front yard. That’s just who he is.”

Stafford also pointed to Alter’s “urban forest” in the town of Bascom, a unique project that reflects both creativity and dedication to sustainable forestry. “Everything he does is at the highest level,” Stafford added. “He’s always willing to put in the extra effort, and it shows.”

As the Florida Forestry Association summed up, John Alter is a man who believes in making a difference, and time and again, through his vision, leadership, and hard work, he has done exactly that.