Grant County’s Jeff Maben receives ODF’s Eastern Oregon 2025 Merit Award

By Logan Bagett on Monday, January 12th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

GRANT COUNTY – The Oregon Department of Forestry reports that Forestry Consultant Jeff Maben has earned the Eastern Oregon 2025 Merit Award. Maben has worked with private landowners in and around Grant County in efforts to improve forest health through the removal of encroaching juniper, as well as thinning out overcrowded pine stands.

ODF says, “His work increased water flow in local creeks, rejuvenated aspen groves, and reduced shade on mountain mahogany, an important source of winter browse for elk. It also reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire.”

Find the ODF’s YouTube video of Jeff Maben below:

**ODF photo/video**