Past Excellence in Urban Forestry Award Recipients

John Mixon received the Mary Helen Ray Legacy Award his visionary leadership as a State Forester, for inspiring community tree stewardship in all Georgia communities, for his ongoing support for the Georgia Tree Council, and for a lifelong commitment to urban forestry.

Amanda Hallauer of the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management received the Outstanding Greenspace Plan Award for her leadership as one of the first stormwater engineers to gather urban forest research and resources and use trees as a solution to stormwater runoff in innovative ways. In addition, she has reinforced the message that trees are part of the solution to her peers and continues to set an example.

The Outstanding New Development Grand Award went to Gables Residential for their commitment to sustainability and their endeavor to minimize the impact to the tree canopy and surrounding environment and to recover, store and preserve the trees that were removed from the site for thoughtful reuse in their project.

Eutree received the Outstanding Business Grand Award for their services to the Gables Vinings project in preparing the salvaged urban wood for reuse.

The Golden Isles Fund for Trees received the 2019 Outstanding Civic Organization Grand Award for their tireless advocacy for Georgia's coastal trees through education, tree ordinance work, tree planting, and the measuring, registering and tagging of live oaks in Glynn County.

The City of Winterville and the Winterville Tree Commission received the Outstanding Community Grand Award for their work in implementing and promoting awareness of their new tree canopy conservation ordinance through education, tree walks, tree plantings, and making a difference in their community in a few short years.

The Outstanding New Initiative Grand Award went to Mark Wachter of the Georgia Power Company for his work with Zoo Atlanta in providing "browse" for their animals by fully utilizing the limbs that are pruned away from powerlines and developing a proper species list that is beneficial for animals to eat.

The 2019 Outstanding Urban Arboriculture Grand Award was presented to the Shops Buckhead Atlanta and Jamestown Properties for their commitment and investment in the proper care of their urban tree canopy.

The Outstanding Education Grand Award went to Dr. Larry Morris, Professor Emeritus at University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources for his career-long commitment to educating on the care and maintenance of healthy urban and community trees.

Mr. Henry Clay of Statesboro received the Outstanding Individual Achievement Grand Award for over 72 years of contributions to tree planting and tree education to the southern United States, including 44 years in Statesboro, Georgia.

Congratulations to Lynda Beam, who received the 2019 President's Award. Georgia Tree Council President Bill Haws selected Lynda for this award for being one of the original co-founders of the Savannah Tree Foundation and a tireless advocate of community and urban forests for over three decades.

The Georgia Forestry Commission presented the Sustainable Community Forestry Program's urban strike team with a special recognition award for their work on south Georgia's damage from Hurricane Michael.

Dr. Don Gardner - for a career of stewardship, inspiring commitment, and visionary leadership in developing and growing Savannah's urban forest program and his dedicated service as a coastal area UGA extension agent. Pictured above with Dr. Gardner are Art Morris, GUFC President 2018 (right) and Bill Haws, President-Elect (left).

The Stone Mountain Memorial Association Land Management Committee - for management of their urban forest, which reduces surface temperatures from the parking lots, improves air quality, assists with erosion control, enhances water quality, provides southern forest and unique rock outcrop habitat, all while providing recreation opportunities to four million visitors annually.

Carlsen Precision Manufacturing, Rome GA - For the preservation of large, established trees on the construction site of their new facility.

Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful and its "Grow Albany" program - for their multi-phase, multi-year tree planting initiative designed to engage the community in re-planting trees lost to the 2017 storms.

Main Street Toccoa - For their grassroots efforts in preserving Toccoa's tree canopy, educating and involving citizens - both adults and kids - and growing their partnerships to keep going strong as a Tree City USA.

Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation's Mow-Free Zone Program - For creating environmental and economic benefits, not to mention aesthetic and natural beauty, by creating "mow-free" zones in its parks. A decline in fuel and equipment usage assists in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, creates habitat for birds, butterflies and other animals, and and allows native wildflowers to bloom - all increasing biodiversity in its lands.

Newton College and Career Academy, Marcus Pollard - For creating an urban forestry segment for his program at the Career Academy, creating an arboretum at the school, and opening students' and educators' eyes to careers in urban forestry, all while supporting local businesses and the community. Pictured with Marcus are GUFC 2018 President-Elect Bill Haws and 2018 President Art Morris.

Mark Law - For his dedication to urban forestry efforts in Milton, North Fulton County and Georgia. City of Milton Arborist Mark Law has been instrumental to North Fulton County's lush tree canopy by encouraging development projects and homeowner to see the benefits of keeping and planting more trees than the minimum requisites of the ordinances. A recent i-Tree canopy study showed that developed residential subdivisions in Milton had above 60% - and up to 76% - tree canopy, which is well over the minimimum requirements. Mark's work has also included obtaining Milton's Tree City USA status, working on a tree inventory and management plan, and starting Milton's first city arboretum.

Briarlake Community Forest Alliance - For their successful efforts in educating both citizens and officials alike about the negative consequences of allowing the rezoning and development of their forest at the intersection of Briarlake Road and Amberwood Drive in DeKalb County, Georgia. Their smart efforts led to the preservation of their urban forest for the benefit of the community.