Escambia County District Judge J. David Jordan, 21st Judicial Circuit, has been honored for being an advocate for landowners by the Alabama Forestry Owners’ Association (AFOA). He was named “Judge of the Year” in recognition of over 10 years of dedicated service and upholding forestry laws to protect the forest landowners and natural resources of Escambia County.

Each year, in cooperation with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC), the AFOA selects a judge, prosecutor and forest investigator that have demonstrated a commitment to helping landowners who have been victims of wild land fire law violations or other forestry-related crimes. AFC Law Enforcement Chief Craig Hill said Jordan is a prime example of someone who has contributed greatly to the AFOA cause.

“Judge Jordan has expressed a genuine interest in the problems faced by landowners, especially forestry-related crimes, and is very deserving of this recognition,” Hill said.

The Alabama Forestry Commission is committed to reducing the number of forestry-related crimes that occur each year across the state. These crimes generate losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to landowners, the timber industry and Alabama’s economy. The AFC provides a wild land arson/forest crimes hotline so that citizens can call and report theft of timber, vandalism or theft of harvesting equipment and wild land arson. The toll-free number is (800) 222-2927. Any information provided is confidential and the caller remains anonymous. For more information, visit the AFC website at www.forestry.alabama.gov.