The Wake Forest Urban Forestry Board (UFB) is requesting nominations for the 2015 Green Medal Awards of Excellence. The Green Medal Awards recognize individuals, groups and businesses that promote good environmental stewardship and excellence in service, while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the enhancement of Wake Forest’s urban forest.
The Town of Wake Forest has been designated as a Tree City USA for the past 35 years. This distinction is the result of the invaluable efforts of local volunteers and groups that assist with UFB projects aimed at improving the environment and the community. The 2015 Green Medal Awards will recognize these individuals and groups that have been instrumental in local tree issues and projects. Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Civic – Awarded to an individual, civic club or organization that has shown outstanding service, education, tree planting or other volunteer-based work. Participation in an UFB-sponsored event is encouraged, but should not be the only example of service. The 2014 civic organization co-winners were Heritage High School and the Wake Forest Lions Club, while civic individual winners were J.D. Yoakum and Michele Tackett.
Corporate – Awarded to a company or business which exhibits a pattern of commitment to the environment, or which has made a significant contribution to the urban forest through an internal education program, a self-initiated tree planting or other outreach project.
Program or Project – Designed to honor a program or project which promotes good urban forestry or environmental practice, or to a development which has shown excellence in tree preservation or landscaping. Only those developments which exceed town requirements or meet them by using particularly creative methods such as innovative planting or design will be considered.
Community Forester – This award is intended to honor a lifetime or career of excellence in urban forestry or leadership in environmental integrity and practice. The recipient’s service should be demonstrated as having a significant impact on the community. Last year’s winner was Wake Forest Assistant Town Engineer Holly Miller.
Nomination forms are available online on the UFB website located at www.wakeforestnc.gov/urban-forestry-board1.aspx and at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 Brooks St.
Green Medal Award nominations may be mailed to Jennifer Rall, Town of Wake Forest, 301 S. Brooks St., Wake Forest, NC 27587; faxed to 919-435-9499; or emailed to jrall@wakeforestnc.gov. Completed nominations must be received no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2.
Green Medal Award recipients will be recognized at the Annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, March 21, 2015.
