AUGUSTA, ME — Bath City Arborist and Tree Warden Thomas Hoerth received the 2008 Community Forestry Excellence award at the State Arbor Day ceremony held May 19th at the State House Hall of Flags. In the ten years he has worked for the city, Hoerth, along with the Bath Community Forestry Committee and the Division of Forestry have planted over 800 trees, developed and expanded the city nursery to over 1,700 trees, and established the city as a Tree City USA for 9 years, including 7 years receiving the National Arbor Day Foundation Growth Award, which recognizes environmental improvement and leading tree care programs.

Hoerth, a Maine State Certified Teacher, utilizes his teaching background every day, whether working with middle and high school students conducting tree inventory work in the city, forest inventory plots the city owned woodlands, or conducting pruning workshops and tree climbing seminars for children. The state recognized Hoerth for his achievements working for Bath and his lifelong dedication in support of urban and community forests.

Sixteen Maine municipalities were honored for achieving Tree City USA status, including: Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Camden, Farmington, Hallowell, Hampden, Kennebunkport, Lewiston, Orono, Portland, South Portland, Waterville, Westbrook, and Yarmouth.

Megan Reed, a fifth-grade student at Friendship Village School, is the Maine state winner of the 2008 Arbor Day National Poster Contest. Megan drew the winning poster depicting “Trees are Terrific... inside and out!” The annual contest educates children about the importance of planting and caring for trees in communities.

Governor John E. Baldacci was the guest speaker for the event. Conservation Commissioner Patrick K. McGowan, and Maine Forest Service Director R. Alec Giffen joined the Governor in presenting the 2007 Tree City USA awards and National Arbor Day Foundation poster contest award. Representative Thomas Watson of Bath presented the Community Forestry Excellence award.

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Project Canopy is a cooperative effort of the Maine Forest Service and the Pine Tree State Arboretum. More information about Project Canopy is available on the web, at www.maineforestservice.gov/projectcanopy. Those interested in the program may also contact Jan Santerre by phone at (207) 287-4987, or by e-mail at Jan.santerre@maine.gov.