Community forestry, Tree City USA Awards and Heritage Tree recipients announced

Nebraska

Communities and individuals across Nebraska were recognized for their work with tree resources during the Nebraska Community Tree Conference and Tree City USA ceremony recently.

Nebraska Forestry Award winners were presented in six categories: Diane Meyer, Educator, Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island; Wendy Huff, Educator, St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in Omaha; NorthWestern Energy, Utility, North Platte; Rachel Allison, Volunteer, North Platte; Mike Watson, Media, Rural Radio network and AM 840 KTIC in West Point; Curt Arens, Media, a freelance writer and magazine contributor from Crofton; Connie Griess, Outstanding Tree Care, Chase County Extension; Jim Kluck, Legacy, Schuyler.

Tree Line USA Awards were given to Omaha Public Power District, North Platte Power District, Lincoln Electrical Service and Nebraska City Utility.

Tree City USA Awards were given to 109 communities. Two communities, Julian and Farnam, were certified as Tree City USA for the first time.

Growth Awards and Tree City USA Awards were presented to communities that have shown exceptional advancement in their dedication to tree enhancement. The towns' names and number of years in the Tree City USA program include: Auburn, 32; Battle Creek, 18; Central City, 11; Creighton, 17; Fullerton, 7; Gering, 19; Gretna, 21; Lincoln, 31; Nebraska City, 31; North Platte, 25; Offutt Air Force Base, 21; and Valley, 14.

Other Nebraska communities receiving Tree City USA Awards with longevity in the program were: Allen, 15; Alliance, 16; Arapahoe, 20; Ashland, 8; Atkinson, 8; Bancroft, 3; Bassett, 9; Bayard, 15; Beatrice, 21; Beaver City, 19; Beaver Crossing, 18; Benkelman, 12; Bennington, 19; Blair, 25; Boys Town, 22; Brady, 16; Broken Bow, 31; Brule, 8; Cambridge, 12; Chadron, 18; Chappell, 17; Columbus, 21; Cook, 22; Cozad, 15; Crete, 17; Crofton, 16; Curtis, 20; David City, 23; Dodge, 5; Doniphan, 13; Fairbury, 21; Falls City, 16; Farnam, 1; Fremont, 30; Friend, 25; Gothenburg, 20; Grand Island, 22; Hartington, 17; Hastings, 18; Hickman, 16; Holdrege, 15; Humboldt, 23; Imperial, 23; Julian, 1; Kearney, 22; Kimball, 17; La Vista, 17; Laurel, 5; Lexington, 11; McCook, 23; Minden, 18; Mitchell, 5; Morrill, 9; Neligh, 21; Nelson, 13; Nemaha, 5; Odell, 14; Ogallala, 24; Omaha, 30; O'Neill, 23; Ord, 11; Palisade, 14; Papillion, 19; Paxton, 13; Pender, 14; Pierce, 16; Pilger, 8; Plainview, 17; Potter, 15; Red Cloud, 13; Rushville, 13; Schuyler, 20; Scottsbluff, 20; Scribner, 2; Seward, 26; Sidney, 22; South Sioux City, 16; Stella, 15; Stromsburg, 27; Sutton, 19; Tekamah, 21; Trenton, 23; Waco, 15; Wakefield, 18; Wallace, 8; Wauneta, 16; Wausa, 12; Waverly, 8; Wayne, 17; Wisner, 13; York, 18; and Yutan, 6.

The Heritage Tree program identified and acknowledged trees with historical and cultural significance. Tree winners and owners include: Cottonwood at Big Springs, Phelps Hotel Association; Arbor Day Tree at Central City, Central City Public Schools; Meridian Highway Redcedars, Robert and Sandy Hoffman; The Oldest Living Cottonwood in Wausa, Fred Frank; and Johnny Carson Tree in Norfolk, Historic Properties Inc.

Heritage Trees are nominated for their role in historical events or with historical figures, places or events. All trees nominated have historical references checked before receiving the award.

For more information on Tree City USA Awards, Heritage Trees or Nebraska forestry, contact Murrow at 402-472-1382 or visit the Web at www.nfs.unl.edu.

6/2/08
4 Star NE\6-B

Date: 5/29/08

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