PURCHASE, N.Y., March 7- Joe Hanley, area manager of International Paper's New York forestlands, was recently honored as "Forester of the Year" for 2000 by the New York Society of American Foresters. The award was given "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the practice and profession of forestry, the conservation and stewardship of forest resources in New York, and the objectives of the Society of American Foresters." Hanley, a graduate of the State University of New York at Syracuse's College of Environmental Science and Forestry, has been a member of the International Paper forestry team and a leader in his field for 25 years. His numerous credits include involvement in implementing the American Forest & Paper Association's Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI(SM)) and ISO 14001 standards across IP's forestlands in upstate New York. A former president of New York's Empire State Forest Products Association, Hanley has an active hand in forestry education in surrounding communities, giving tours to customers, public officials and other stakeholders through the company's forestlands and mills in the state. "Throughout his career, Joe has worked to balance the many different values of the forest," said David Manley, region manager of IP's Erie/New York unit for Forest Resources. "His commitment has helped strengthen the paper and forest products industry of upstate New York, and his leadership has been an important part of our company's success in the region." The Society of American Foresters, a non-profit organization, represents more than 17,000 professional foresters and natural resource professionals. It is the premier scientific and educational association representing the profession of forestry in the United States. The Society's primary objective is to advance the science, technology, education, and practice of professional forestry for the benefit of all society.