Award Recipients
Throughout Florida, urban forestry programs and initiatives are always underway. The Florida Urban Forestry Council’s Friends of Our Urban Forest awards recognize achievements, organizations, and individuals advocating and promoting community and urban forests.
Are your people, places, and programs being recognized, announced, and celebrated? Does your community forest have outstanding people and programs? Have you ever applied for, or submitted an award nomination to the Florida Urban Forestry Council? Find out more about the Friends of Our Urban Forest Award program.
The following individuals, groups, projects, ordinances, and programs are the award recipients given by the Friends of Our Urban Forests, sponsored by the Florida Urban Forestry Council.
2024 Award Recipients
Outstanding Program:
Take MAR (More Action for Regeneration)
Over the past four years, Take MAR has made significant strides in urban forestry in Tamp Bay. The organization planted over 400 native trees, including 200 along the Pinellas Trail, and focused on long-term care through a dedicated team of volunteers. After hurricanes Helene and Milton, Take MAR quickly assessed the health of its trees, ensuring their resilience. By year 4, the organization’s volunteer-driven model and commitment to sustainability earned it the Outstanding Urban Forestry Program award, recognizing its positive impact on the environment and community.
Outstanding Project:
Pompano Beach Youth Sport Complex
The main objective of the Youth Sports Complex project was to preserve green space for public use in the design of a multi-use sports complex. Other objectives and benefits include natural wooded areas for passive recreation, aesthetics, wildlife habitat, water conservation, and stormwater management. The innovative project incorporated the preservation of nearly 200 large mature, native trees; the relocation of 29 large existing native trees; and urban forestry management practices, into the design of renovated sports fields, community center, parking, and open space. The complex links to other recreational parks, trails, and residential neighborhoods. The project is perhaps the largest tree preservation and relocation project in the City’s history. The project was a culmination of years of urban planning and preservation efforts. The multi-disciplined design team was led by the City’s GO Bond and Urban Forestry teams, landscape architects, designers, arborists, planners, engineers, and other community stakeholders.
The design of the Youth Sports Complex project is the jewel of Pompano Beach’s park system and stands as a testimony of the City’s commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and service to resident communities.
Outstanding Professional:
Joe Anderson
Joe has been recognized due to his outstanding contributions and professional commitment to urban forestry, utility arboriculture, and the community he serves. As a Vegetation Management Specialist, Joe is a member of a Vegetative Management team that oversees the utility arboricultural practices and operations of JEA – Jacksonville’s Utility provider. Joe holds a Forest Resource Management degree from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, at Syracuse, N.Y. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, FUFC and FL-ISA Board Member, FUFC Past President; recipient of the 2023 FL-ISA Excellence in Education Award; and an “above and beyond” liaison for Greenscape of Jacksonville – Jacksonville’s premier non-profit, tree advocacy group.
Joe has a passion for urban forestry and participates in various local and statewide urban forestry initiatives. His professionalism and good nature make him an outstanding recipient.
Outstanding Tree Advocate:
Mark Cassini, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Community Greening (CG)
The Tree Advocate award recognizes Mark’s exceptional contributions to urban forestry in South Florida. In 2017, recognizing the region’s need for a larger tree canopy, Mark co-founded the award-winning “Community Greening” urban forestry non-profit organization, which has since planted over 20,000 trees in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. His efforts have led to growing collaboration with local cities on tree planting initiatives to build vibrant urban forests. Mark also nurtures future environmental leaders through the CG Youth Tree Team and regular volunteer events. Additionally, Mark actively contributes as a speaker in the Lynn University Impact Series, inspiring students to engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals.
Outstanding Tree Ordinance:
City of Fort Lauderdale
The City of Fort Lauderdale, a Tree City USA for 45 years, aimed to enhance its tree canopy to 33% by 2040 while addressing concerns over the removal of mature and old growth trees due to development. In response to public outrage, The City recognized that its outdated mitigation fees for tree removal needed revision. Working with community activists, the City updated its Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR) to strengthen tree protection standards. The revised ordinance, approved in October 2024, includes stricter criteria for protecting specimen trees, increased removal fees, and credits for retaining and safeguarding trees during development.
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dr. Don Spence
Throughout a 30+ year career Don as been an outstanding advocate for tree care and preservation. He has worked with homeowners, municipalities, and developers to promote healthy trees and urban landscapes, providing guidance through talks, field trips, and landscape designs. Don’s volunteer work spans various environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and the Environmental Council of Volusia and Flagler. Don is the “go-to” expert on trees and plants. With a Ph.D. form the University of Florida, he has authored several publications and developed his own consulting firm focused on Florida’s native landscapes. In his role as a faculty member at Flagler College, Dr. Don continues to inspire students through tree management projects and his passion for teaching the next generation of environmental stewards.
Previous Year’s Award Recipients
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2023 Award Recipients
Outstanding Project:
Pinellas-Trail-Native-Tree-Planting
Outstanding Program:
Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Outstanding Professional:
Carla Sinclair-Wells
Sinclair Design Studio
Outstanding Tree Advocate Group:
St. Petersburg Urban Forestry Committee
Outstanding Tree Ordinance:
Orange County Tree Ordinance
2022 Award Recipients
Outstanding Project:
“Hammocks in the Hammock”
by UCF’s Landscaping and Natural Resources Department
Outstanding Program:
“Urban Orchards Project”
By Community Greening
Outstanding Professional:
Elise Cassie
Outstanding Tree Advocates:
Susan Fisher Davis and the late Ann Baker of Greenscape of Jacksonville
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Erin Givens
Pictured left to right: Britta Gross (OUC Commission President), Erin Givens (OUC Veg. Program Mgr.), Deborah Hilbert (FUFC Executive Director), LeMoyne Adams (OUC VP), Clint Bullock (OUC CEO)
Photo by Stephanie Cameron
2021 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional:
Dalton Smith
Outstanding Tree Advocate:
Carol Mini
Outstanding Urban Forestry Project:
Greenscape
for their project at the
Jacksonville Equestrian Center
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
Florida International University
Outstanding Utility:
JEA
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Elizabeth Harkey
2020 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional:
Nora Fosman
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Tampa Bay Reforestation and Environmental Effort, Inc. (T.R.E.E. Inc.)
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Mike Robinson
Outstanding Urban Forestry
Project:
Venice Urban Forest
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
Planting Nassau’s Future
Outstanding Tree Ordinance:
University of Central Florida Tree Mitigation
2019 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional:
Richard Leon
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
JEA Vegetative Management Team
Outstanding Project:
Camp Elmore – Dirt Patrol
Outstanding Project:
Kids in the Woods – University of Florida IFAS, SFRC, and US Forest Service, SRS/R8
Outstanding Project:
630-CITY Tree Planting Project
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
Pinellas County Public Works Urban Forestry and Landscape Services
Outstanding Tree Ordinance:
City of Miami Beach Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance
2018 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional:
Wade F. Collum
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Community Greening
Outstanding Project:
Floral City Avenue of the Oaks / Marcia Beasley and Frank Peters
Outstanding Urban Forestry Project:
Coral Way Tree Preservation Project
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
City of Miami Beach Junior Forester Program
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Norm Easey
2017 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional:
Tim Shaw
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Tree Stewards Jacksonville
Outstanding Project:
Mounts Botanical Garden: Windows on the Floating World
Outstanding Project:
The Greening of the Arc
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
University of Central Florida’s Urban Forestry Program
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Meg Niederhofer
2016 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional:
Todd DeJesus
Outstanding Tree Advocate:
David Fischer
Outstanding Project:
Greenscape of Jacksonville Fresh Food Forest
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department Natural Areas Division
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Celeste White
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Gene Dempsey
2015 Award Recipients
Samuel E. Hand, Jr.
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Urban Paradise Guild
Outstanding Urban Forestry Project:
Partners in Preservation – Broward County Environmental Planning
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Large Community:
City of Orlando, One Person One Tree
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Steve Graham
2014 Award Recipients
Robert “Rob” Northrop
Outstanding Tree Advocate:
L. Thomas Chancey
Outstanding Public Educational Program:
Traveling Tree Walk – UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension
Outstanding Urban Forestry Project:
Wildcat Playground and Born Learning Trail – City of Ocala
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Large Community:
Town of Davie
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Small Community:
City of Newberry
Lifetime Achievement Award:
David McLean
2013 Award Recipients
Bryce Forrester
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
City of Punta Gorda –
PGI Green Thumbs
Outstanding Public Educational Program:
Town of Lantana – Arbor Day/Tu B’Shvat
Outstanding Project:
Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park (Lee County)
Outstanding Professional:
Carlos Rivero
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Charlie Marcus
2012 Award Recipients
Professional:
Michael DePappa
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Keep Manatee Beautiful, Inc.
Outstanding Public Educational Program:
Windermere Tree Board and Tree Climbing Concepts Training Team, Inc.
Outstanding Project:
Preserving a Legacy: Transplanting a 36″ Live Oak at the University of Tampa
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Large Community:
City of Sunrise
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Small Community:
City of Wilton Manors
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Julie Iooss
2011 Award Recipients
Professional:
Kimberly Pearson
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Citizens for a Better South Florida
Outstanding Tree Advocate:
Janice Rahill
Outstanding Public Educational Program:
City of Punta Gorda – Arbor Day Tree Academy
Outstanding Project:
LEGOLAND® Florida
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Large Community:
City of Orlando
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Small Community:
City of Naples
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Loren Westenberger
2010 Award Recipients
Celeste White
Outstanding Public Educational Program:
City of Palm Coast – Educational Tree Nursery
Outstanding Project:
City of Casselberry – Lake Concord Park
Outstanding Project:
Lee County DOT – Summerlin Road Beautification Project
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Large Community:
City of Miami Gardens
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Small Community:
City of Keystone Heights Tree Planting Partnership Program
Lifetime Achievement Award:
James B. Harrell
2009 Award Recipients
Rob Williamson
Outstanding Public Educational Program:
Broward County Tree Trimmer Certification Program
Outstanding Project:
Lake Nona
Outstanding Project:
Nova Southeast University Lower School and Central Plant Project
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Large Community:
Town of Davie
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program / Small Community:
City of St. Augustine Beach
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Jeffrey Siegel
2008 Award Recipients
Carol Keiper-Bennett
Outstanding Individual:
Emily Nell Lagerquist
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
TreeWatch Committee of the Coconut Grove Village Council
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
City of Largo
Outstanding Project – Tree Preservation:
Oakland Park
Outstanding Project – Tree Planting:
NW 27th Avenue Corridor Beautification Project
Edward W. Bok Award:
C. Way Hoyt
2007 Florida Tree City of the Year:
Town of Windermere
2007 Award Recipients
Howard Jeffries
Outstanding Individual:
Anna Dooley
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Greenscape of Jacksonville
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
Sarasota County Urban Forestry
Outstanding Project:
Verandah by Bonita Bay Group
Edward W. Bok: Award:
Jim Marshall, Sr.
2006 Florida Tree City of the Year:
City of Eustis
2006 Award Recipients
Professional:
Greg Brown
Outstanding Individual:
Denny Scott
Outstanding Tree Advocacy Group:
Town of Windermere Tree Board
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
City of Altamonte Springs
Outstanding Program:
Charlotte County Extension Service
Edward W. Bok Award:
Dr. Ed Gilman
2005 Florida Tree City of the Year:
Sarasota County
2005 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional:
Loren Westenberger
Outstanding Individual:
Patricia Wollman
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
City of Plantation
Outstanding Project:
Greening Gateways I-95/Sunrise Boulevard
Edward W. Bok: Award:
Selmer Uhr
2004 Florida Tree City of the Year:
City of Miami Springs
2004 Award Recipients
Greg Z. Scott
Outstanding Individual:
Teresa Jacobs
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program:
City of Hollywood’s Partnering with the Broward League of Cities
Outstanding Project:
Wal-Mart at Tampa N.E., Store #2740
Edward W. Bok: Award:
Joe Samnik
2003 Florida Tree City of the Year:
City of Naples
2003 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional: Joy Klein
Outstanding Individual: William Kornman
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program: Neighborhood Capital Improvement Program – City of Hollywood
Outstanding Project: Fish Hawk Ranch, Lithia
Edward W. Bok: Award: Jeffrey L. Siegel
2002 Florida Tree City of the Year: City of St. Augustine
2002 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional: John Sullivan
Outstanding Individual: Joann Phillips
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program: Marco Island Beautification Advisory Committee
Outstanding Project: Grand Tree Contest and Registry
Edward W. Bok: Award: Mary Duryea
2001 Florida Tree City of the Year: City of Boynton Beach
2001 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional: Lori Austin
Outstanding Individual: Barbara Simon
Outstanding Urban Forestry Program: Katherine Hurt and Celeste White, University of Florida Extension
Outstanding Project: Plant Manatee Beautiful
Edward W. Bok: Award: Carl Higgins
2000 Florida Tree City of the Year: City of Sarasota
2000 Award Recipients
Outstanding Professional: Don Goulding
Outstanding Citizen Volunteer: Beam Furr
Outstanding Large Township: Palm Beach County
Outstanding Small Township: City of Sanford