The Delaware Tree Farm Committee has named Douglas R. Simpson of Bridgeville the 2018 Tree Farmer of the Year.

The award recognizes landowners who practice and promote sustainable forestry. Simpson owns a 700-acre tree farm in Sussex County. The state certified the land in 1995.

Simpson works in partnership with the Delaware Forest Services to develop stewardship plans for the land that manage natural beauty, water quality, wildlife habitat and wood products at his property.

In 2009, the state purchased three of his properties totaling 350 acres for the Delaware AgLands Foundation's landmark Forestland Preservation Program. This voluntary program allows landowners to preserve land through a process that cedes the land for preservation.