Awards

Award of Achievement
Dana Karcher

As immediate past president of the International Society of Arboriculture, Dana is a big part of who we are and what we stand for.  Her connection to the midwest can be traced to her role as Program Director of the Arbor Day Foundation, in Nebraska.  Her impact can be felt across the country and beyond. We are fortunate to see her influences and befit from her advocacy for community forests and how that connection benefits mankind.  The Midwest Chapter of ISA has learned from her example in the management of resources and green infrastructure, leading nonprofits in community involvement and highlighting the benefits of a sustainable community forests.  Thank you Dana for your never-ending dedication to arboriculture and the Midwest Chapter of ISA.

Presidents Award
Chrissy Land

Chrissy Land started working as a Community Forester a few years ago and it seems like a job she was born to do.  She loves Western Nebraska, its forest resources, and its people.  She distributes eggs and honey to friends and family from her own flock and hives, hunts with her husband and dogs, and does an absolutely phenomenal job promoting urban and community forestry with the people and towns in her area.  Her intensity, organization, and curiosity spills into every project she’s involved in, from tree-planting projects to tree board training and everything in between.

 I make a special effort to remember her early days at the agency because she has grown so much in such a short time.  In her first few weeks, she joined me at our Earth Day tree climb in Omaha, participated in some meetings and presentations, and watched as I gave an Arbor Day talk for 4th graders in McCook.  As much as I tried to be a mentor, there wasn’t much guidance needed and she figured out what skills and information she was lacking very quickly.  She had so many questions; not because she was clueless, like a deer in the headlights, but because the gears in her head were spinning so fast.  She was lit up with passion and the possibility of what this job is all about and how she would choose to do it.

 Those gears continue spinning fast and strong as ever, but now Chrissy knows what Community Forestry is about.  She is leading the way for cities and towns across Western Nebraska to plant their community forests, manage them competently, and leave a legacy that honors the tree-planters spirit of Nebraska.  I am so lucky to have Chrissy as a friend and colleague and am honored today to present her with the MW-ISA Presidents Award.

Award of Merit
Will Branch

Will Branch is an accomplished arborist who has done much for arboriculture and the Midwest Chapter of ISA.  Will joined All About Trees in 2011 and his life in arboriculture has only grown since that time.  The core of his effort is sharing techniques and ideas to help other arborists improve their skills and do their job more safely.  He is well qualified and very involved in the advancement of the arboriculture industry.  Will has served as climbing competitor, judge, presenter, author, teacher and volunteer.  Will has also served as a rigging, climbing and aerial rescue trainer for the Midwestern Chapter of ISA.  Will gives his time to the benefit of those around him, a thankless trait of a true leader.  Thank you Will for your dedication and support of arboriculture and the Midwestern Chapter of ISA.

Author’s Award of Excellence
Dr. Chris Luley

Recognizes authors of outstanding publications, news stories, radio and television programs for sustained excellence in the dissemination of timely information pertaining to the field of arboriculture.  The information provided must have impact of the Midwest chapter audience. 

Christopher Luley, Wood Decay and Fungi Common to Urban Living Trees in the Northeast & Central United States

 Dr. Christopher Luley of Urban Forest Diagnostics has dedicated his 40 plus years in the field of arboriculture to create a reliable source of information to arborists, municipalities, utility companies, home owners, attorneys, private landowners, cemeteries and golf courses. Luley’s work has provided the industry of arboriculture with excellent publications to help in the practice of disease identification, pruning, and landscape pest management. Over 50 articles and 3 books full of quality research, well conveyed data along with numerous high quality photos have guided Midwest Arborists to better diagnose and provide quality care of local trees.  Thank you Dr. Luley for your wonderfully crafted publications, especially Wood Decay and Fungi Common to Urban Living Trees in the Northeast & Central United States.