2006 National Arbor Day Awards

Lady Bird Johnson Award

Oakdale Tree Board, Oakdale, MN

The Oakdale Tree Board, a citizen advisory board, is one of those worthy examples others can follow. Since its establishment in 1995, they have focused on developing and maintaining a city tree plan and made policy recommendations regarding the city’s tree preservation ordinance. The board has also dedicated time to the beautification to the city’s roadways and the planting of trees.

Two of the board’s biggest projects came in 2001 and 2005. In 2001, with a group of 500 volunteers and a grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the board planted 600 trees along a 6 mile stretch of Interstate 694. In 2005, they formed the Community Streetscape Volunteer Planting Program with the idea to have a formal group dedicated to the improvement of local roadways. The program, which included 150 volunteers, was successful in planting 400 trees in their first year. The Oakdale Tree Board’s accomplishments make them a worthy recipient of the Lady Bird Johnson award, and The National Arbor Day Foundation commends their efforts.

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