Beacon Tree City USA

Celebrating Beacon’s 20th year as a Tree City USA! (from left) NYSDEC Urban Forestry Program Assistant Mary Martin, City of Beacon Highway Superintendent Reuben Simmons Jr., DEC Region 3 Senior Forester George Profous, and NYSDEC Urban Forestry Partnerships Coordinator Sally Kellogg.

For the NYS urban and community forestry community, the annual Tree City/Tree Campus/Tree Line USA awards ceremony is always something delightful to look forward to in the last throes of winter. In 2017 it was held on March 30 in Albany and honored 115 Tree Cities statewide, 22 Tree Campuses, and 5 Tree Line Utilities. More than 130 people  from all 9 DEC regions attended, making it the most attended awards celebration yet.

Thank you to NYSDEC Urban Forestry Partnerships Coordinator Sally Kellogg for her help with this pictorial of highlights from the event. 

program

Chiu Yin Hempel, Tree Board Chair of Tuxedo Park, Mayor Mary Jo Guinchard, and Fred Rella, Village of Tuxedo Park, celebrate their second year as a Tree City USA after Chiu Yin and Mayor Guinchard presented on the Village’s urban forestry related activities.

From left: Village of Tuxedo Park Tree Board Chair Chiu Yin Hempel, Mayor Mary Jo Guinchard, and Fred Rella celebrated Tuxedo Park’s second year as a Tree City USA after Chiu Yin and Mayor Guinchard presented on the Village’s urban forestry program.

Keuka College Tree Campus USA

Keuka College completed its first year as a Tree Campus USA. Grounds Manager Drew Rojek celebrated with Sally Kellogg and NYSDEC Urban Forestry Program Coordinator Mary Kramarchyk.

UF Award Tim Chuck

Tim Chick, Associate Professor at Paul Smith’s College and Chair of the Town of North Elba’s Tree Board was recognized for his dedication to the NYS Urban Forestry Council and his advocacy for urban forestry in the Adirondack region of New York.

Arbor Day poster winner

Sarah Werner of Warwick Valley Middle School stands with Sally Kellogg and Francis Sheehan, Deputy Division Director for Lands & Forests of NYSDEC, to celebrate the 2017 winner of the 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest. One of the teachers at Sarah’s school is on the Town of Warwick Tree Board and brought the contest to her school.

Sarah Walsh, NYS DEC Trees for Tributaries Coordinator, gave the audience some background on the Trees for Tribs program and encouraged applicable communities to participate.

NYSDEC Trees for Tributaries Coordinator Sarah Walsh gave the audience some background on the Trees for Tribs program and encouraged communities to participate.

Andre Bensadoun (Forester for Village of Cayuga Heights) celebrates their 4th year as a Tree City USA, Andre has attended the recognition ceremony for all 4 years.

Village of Cayuga Heights Forester Andre Bensadoun, second from left, celebrated his Village’s 4th year as a Tree City USA with Mary Martin, Sally Kellogg, and NYSDEC Region 7 Senior Forester Greg Owens. Mr. Bensadoun has attended the recognition ceremony for all 4 years.

Allan Douglas (Field Operations Planner) and XXX ( I have to double check the name) celebrated Consolidated Edison’s 9th year as a Tree Line USA. They were a sponsor for the 11th annual Tree City/Line/Campus USA recognition ceremony.

Con Ed Field Operations Planner Allan Douglas (second from left) and colleague Anthony Simonelli celebrated Consolidated Edison’s 9th year as a Tree Line USA. They were a sponsor of the 11th Annual Tree City/Line/Campus USA recognition ceremony.

Steve Harris presenting

Steve Harris, Secretary for the NYS Urban Forestry Council, greeted the 130 attendees of the Recognition Ceremony.

Brian Liberti, City Forester for Rochester, receives the Urban Forestry Partnerships Award for his outstanding work in the City of Rochester, his previous efforts in Syracuse, as a part of the NYS Urban Forestry Council and partnering with NY ISA, which he is also member of.

Rochester City Forester Brian Liberti received the Urban Forestry Partnerships Award for his outstanding work in the City of Rochester, his previous efforts in Syracuse, as a part of the NYS Urban Forestry Council, and as a facilitator of partnership between the Council and the New York State Arborists.

Woodstock Tree Committee Chair Michael Veitch celebrated Woodstock's first year as a Tree City USA with Mary Marin, George Profous, and Sally Kellogg.

Woodstock Tree Committee Chair Michael Veitch celebrated Woodstock’s first year as a Tree City USA with Mary Martin, Sally Kellogg, and George Profous.