John W. Mixon, of Forsyth, Georgia, winner of the Foundation’s highest individual honor, the J. Sterling Morton Award for exemplary conservation work at the national or international level. Mixon’s career in forestry spanned 34 years in both industry and state organizations and involved several innovative programs. Mixon’s contributions include organizing and directing the highly successful Urban Forestry Program, which has been implemented across the state of Georgia. As the Chief of Forest Research, Mixon was instrumental in promoting wood as an alternate source of energy. Upon becoming director or the Georgia Forestry Commission in 1983, he launched a vigorous reforestation campaign on a county-by-county basis that resulted in landowners and foresters in the state setting a world record for number of trees planted in a single season. The commission also established one of the largest tree nurseries and seed orchard complexes in the world during his administration. Leaders in tree planting and environmental stewardship from around the country and world will be honored by The Arbor Day Foundation at its 28th annual Arbor Day Awards celebration to be held in Nebraska City, Nebraska on Saturday, April 29, 2000. The awards ceremony is part of the Arbor Day weekend celebration held in Nebraska City from April 28-30. Award winners are recognized for their leadership in the cause of tree planting, conservation, and environmental stewardship. |
