Source: NCDA&CS, 9/12/11

The N.C. Forest Service announces the winners of the 2011 North Carolina Urban Forestry Awards.
The annual program rewards cities, towns, organizations, businesses and individuals for outstanding work to protect and enhance community forests and raise awareness about the importance of urban forestry projects.

The N.C. Forest Service announces winners in the following award categories:
• Outstanding Project Grand Award: Town of Garner White Deer Park
• Outstanding Project Merit Award: Town of Chapel Hill Tree Protection Ordinance
• Outstanding Individual Grand Award: J. Robert Curry of Pine Knoll Shores
• Outstanding Tree Board or Urban Forestry Committee Grand Award: Town of Matthews Appearance & Tree Commission
• Tree City of the Year: City of Gastonia

Winners were selected by a panel that included N.C. Forest Service’s urban forestry staff and members of the North Carolina Urban Forest Council. Entries were judged for impact, quality, innovation and the degree to which the work serves as a worthy example for others to follow. The winners may also be nominated for the National Arbor Day Awards program.

“I am very pleased with the response we have received to the awards program,” says Jennifer Rall, urban forestry program assistant and administrator of the awards program. “The judging committee did not have an easy time deciding on winners. All of the nominees showed a true passion and dedication to advancing urban forestry in their communities.”

Award recipients will be recognized at the N.C. Urban Forest Council’s 2011 Annual Conference Awards Banquet on Sept. 13 at the Blake Hotel, 555 S. McDowell St., Charlotte.

For more information, contact Jennifer Rall at (919) 857-4849 or download an application from the N.C. Forest Service website, www.ncforestservice.gov.