Gov. Gianforte Recognizes Bear Paw Forestry as Forest Products Industry Leader

HAVRE, Mont. – To mark Forest Products Industry Week in the state, Governor Greg Gianforte today presented his annual Forest Products Award to Bear Paw Forestry, a family-owned logging and rough-cut lumber business in Havre.

“Born of their desire to be better stewards of the land, the Waid Family began Bear Paw Forestry over a decade ago, actively managing forested land on their ranch for the benefit of their family and the Hi-Line,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I appreciate them, and all other folks in the forest products industry, for their work to grow the economy, create good-paying jobs, and make our forests healthier and more resilient.”

Facing encroachment, insect and disease, and wildfire risk, the Waid family recognized a pressing need to better manage the timber resources on their 100-year-old ranch. In 2007, the Waids purchased and began operating a sawmill to better steward their land and provide communities along the Hi-Line with locally sourced woods products.

Committed to sustainably harvesting timber, Bear Paw Forestry continues to grow and is a critical source of lumber products for agriculture operations along the Hi-Line, producing full dimension, rough cut lumber for corral fencing, decks, and barns. Bear Paw Forestry’s work helps landowners actively manage their timber in a sustainable manner, conserve the landscape, and make forest products available locally.

Governor Gianforte’s Forest Products Award recognizes an outstanding person or entity for their work to actively manage our forests, responsibly develop our abundant forested resources, and/or promote the use of Montana wood products.

Bear Paw Forestry is the second recipient of the governor’s award, following Marks Lumber which the governor recognized in 2021.