On May 29, 2008, Natural Resources instructor Dick Hopkins was named "Forester of the Year" by the Washington State Society of American Foresters. The highly regarded annual award is presented to a member who is recognized by his/her peers for contributing to both the profession and the public through application of his/her professional skills. The recipient is honored for his/her efforts in the advancement of forestry in Washington, and through public service that benefits his/her community or some larger segment of society.

During the past few years Dick Hopkins has been awarded three important honors; The Society of American Foresters’ Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Award, the 2006 University of Washington, College of Forestry Alumni Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award, and the Green River Community College Distinguished Faculty Award. Dick also serves on the Forest Fire Advisory Board, the GRCC Faculty Development Committee, the UW College of Forest Resources Alumni Advisory Committee, and the GRCC Natural Resources Advisory Committee. In addition he was also co-chair of the Student Activities Planning Committee for the successful 2007 SAF National Convention in Portland. All are testimony to the tremendous effort Dick puts into the GRCC Natural Resources Program, not just with his students and peers, but in every aspect of his job.

"I’ve read that if Dick Hopkins cuts himself shaving, sap would probably ooze out. No one could love trees and forestry more than he. Forestry, and teaching it is not just a profession to Dick, it is his life. The Society of American Foresters is very fortunate to have Dick Hopkins in their fold; because what he is accomplishing today will be played forward for many, many years to come," said Pam Phillips who wrote the supporting documentation for this prestigious award.