Department of Conservation

AUGUSTA, Maine - (May 21, 2001) The Department of Conservation’s Maine Forest Service presented six individuals and 11 municipalities with a variety of environmental awards on Monday, May 21 at a reception held at the Maine State House on behalf of Maine’s Arbor Week Celebration. Governor Angus King was guest of honor, presenting several of the awards.

Winner of the National Arbor Day Foundation Poster Contest was fifth-grader Leslie Wallace of Friendship. Leslie, who attends the Friendship Village School, drew the winning poster depicting “Trees are Terrific, and Forests are Too!” Leslie is being recognized with a plaque from the National Arbor Day Foundation and a $100.00 savings bond.

There were five recipients of the Outstanding Forest Stewardship Award this year. The award is given to those individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to forest Stewardship in Maine, through their advocacy of stewardship principles, through their work with landowners, and by example on their own lands. This year’s recipients were Sidney W. Emery of Springvale, Terry Walters of Hollis, Harry Dwyer of Kents Hill, Liz Frederic of Farmington, and Jack Frost of Anson.

Eleven Maine municipalities received national Tree City USA awards. To qualify, a town must meet all of the organization’s criteria: spend at least $2.00 per capita on a community forestry program, maintain a tree board or department, observe Arbor Day, and have local ordinances which address tree care. Tree City USA award recipients were:

AUGUSTA – 7th YEAR AWARD
Augusta was represented by Norm Elvin, chairman of the Augusta Tree Board. Augusta also received a Growth award for achievement in developing partnerships (with Central Maine Power) and publicity (a monthly column by the city arborist in The Capital Weekly and a photo exhibition partnered by the Augusta Tree Board and the Capital Area Camera Club).

BATH – 4th YEAR AWARD
Bath, represented by Gerry Coombs, Tree Board member, Denny Hebert, Director of Parks and Cemeteries, Tom Hoerth, Town Arborist, and Jim Kemp, Tree Board Member. Bath is also receiving a growth award for achievement in publicity (newsletter, web page, Earth Day), education (Hyde School Inventory, workshops for arborists), and planting and pruning, among other things.

CAMDEN – 6th YEAR AWARD
Camden was represented by Doug Johnson and Nancy Caudle Johnson, members of the Camden Tree Board.

FARMINGTON – 24th YEAR AWARD
Farmington represented by Ann Kim and Loraine Norton, members of the Farmington Tree Board.

KENNEBUNKPORT – 24th YEAR AWARD
Kennebunkport represented by Jill Nesher, Frank Duly, and Marilyn Champagne.

PORTLAND – 21st YEAR AWARD
Portland was represented by Jeff Tarling, City Arborist.

ORONO – 5th YEAR AWARD
Representing Orono were Ann & Don Pilcher, Richard Campana, and Emily Wesson, of the Orono Tree Board.

SOUTH PORTLAND – 21st YEAR AWARD
South Portland was represented by John Switzer.

WATERVILLE – 5th YEAR AWARD
Representing Waterville was Jim Toner, Director of Parks and Lands.

WESTBROOK – 24th YEAR AWARD
Westbrook was represented by John Marcelino.

YARMOUTH – 22nd YEAR AWARD
Representing Yarmouth was Frank Knight, long-time Yarmouth Tree Warden and member of the Tree Board.