2006 National Arbor Day Awards

Heritage Award

Nebraska City, NE

Arbor Day founder, J. Sterling Morton started the Arbor Day tradition in 1874 in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and the celebrations and traditions have continued ever since. On the first Arbor Day, Nebraska residents planted over a million trees. J. Sterling Morton was a journalist who in his writing, not only advocated for individuals to come together to plant trees, but also for businesses and civic organizations to join in the celebration.

In April of 2005, Nebraska City celebrated its 133rd annual Arbor Day. They continued Morton’s vision of tree planting by planting and dedicating trees to people for their devotion to Nebraska City and the environment. Nebraska City kids joined in by creating logos and posters for the celebration, which last year was themed “Branching Around the World”, and they also attended the children’s program held on Arbor Day, where they were given free trees. Businesses and local organizations were also involved, having sales specifically for the holiday, enticing the tourists and helping the local economy. In preparation for Arbor Day, city residents took on a major cleaning effort in order to get ready for the celebration as well as to make the city beautiful. By giving away free trees, creating activities for families and guests, and celebrating the environment, Nebraska City honors the principles of J. Sterling Morton every year.

This year’s winners are:

• Lifetime Stewardship Award

  • Tony Dorrell, Woodstock, VA

• Frederick Law Olmsted Award

  • James R. Matz, Harlingen, TX

• Caroline French Morton Award

  • Casey Trees Endowment Fund, Washington DC

• Lawrence Enersen Award

  • Sharon Black-Anderson, Crown Point, IN

• Good Steward Award

  • Charles Daughtery, Crossville, TN
  • Christofferson family ranch, Malad ID
  • Thomas Thomson, Orford, NH

• Lady Bird Johnson Award

  • Oakdale Tree Board, Oakdale, MN

• Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation, Urbana IL

  • Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation, Urbana IL
  • Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA
  • Nellis Air Force Base, NV
  • Earl Newman, Perland TX
  • Nicolet College, Rhinelander, WI
  • San Crisanto Sustainable Development Project

• Education Award

  • Citizen Forrester program, Covington LA
  • United Anglers of Casa Grande High School, Petaluna, CA

• Advertising and Public Relations Award

  • Sapling in the City by Denver Digs Trees, Denver CO

• Media Award

  • Marcie the Marvelous Tree
  • A Society of Pines by Robert Schutes, Woodbury, MN

• Celebration Award

  • City of Allen, TX
  • Nancy Racich, River Vale, NJ
  • C. Garret Rappazzo, Castleton, NY

• Heritage Award

  • Nebraska City, NE

• Promise to the Earth Award

  • AT&T
  • Briggs & Stratton