Oregon Urban & Community Forestry Awards
Award Categories
Individual Awards
An Individual Award is given to a person who has made significant contributions to urban forestry in Oregon. This may be work in tree planting and care, engaging citizens in community forestry, raising awareness about urban trees, and protecting Oregon’s urban forests.Organization Awards
These awards are given to a business, non-profit, school or municipality actively promoting healthy urban and community forests in Oregon through education, awareness, advocacy and investment in our urban forests.Anyone can nominate an Individual or Organization for an award. Nominations (see below for form) are due by the end of December with selected honorees to be announced the following year.
President's Award
The President’s Award is selected by Oregon Community Trees President and recognizes outstanding contributions or life time achievements in the field of urban and community forestry.Oregon Tree City of the Year
The Oregon Tree City of the Year is selected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Urban and Community Forestry Program managers. Only cities in Oregon recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA are eligible for this award.2025 Urban & Community Forestry Award Recipients
INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS:
Mari Aviles, City of Portland Urban Forestry
Maura Olivos, Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District
ORGANIZATIONAL AWARD:
OUR Community Forestry
PRESIDENT’S AWARD:
Chris Neamtzu, Director of Community Development City of Wilsonville
OREGON TREE CITY OF THE YEAR:
City of La Grande
Previous Award Recipients
Since 1994, Oregon Community Trees and the Oregon Department of Forestry have recognized individuals, communities, and organizations in the state who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and leadership in urban and community forestry. The annual Oregon Urban & Community Forestry Awards Program celebrates Oregonians who understand that healthy urban and community forests foster thriving communities.
Individual Awards:
Ryan Gilpin, Nidus Consulting, Portland - 2024
Bruce Nelson, retired Arborist and emeritus professor of Arboriculture - 2024
Cassie Sigloh, Redmond urban arborist – 2023
Michael Calhoun, Vernonia tree activist – 2023
Tom Ford – 2022
Stephen Clements – 2022
Charlotte Lehan, City Councilor, City of Wilsonville – 2021
Tony Mecum, Urban Forester, City of Grants Pass -2021
Rachel Munzig, Chairperson of Portland Fruit Tree Project – 2020
Garry Black, City of Philomath Public Works – 2020
Chris John, City of Ashland Tree Commission – 2019
Kerry Rappold, City of Wilsonville Natural Resources Manager – 2019
Casey Roland, Casey P. Roland Tree Care – 2018
Mary Harrell, Friends of Trees – 2018
Paul Hennon, City of Tualatin Community Services Director – 2018
Kasia Quillinan, City of Salem Parks Advisory Board – 2017
Lia Spiegel, City of La Grande – 2017
Ian Keene, Lincoln City – 2016
Lee Stevenson, Project Ponderosa Pine, Sunriver – 2016
Patricia Farrell, City of Salem – 2016
Organization Awards:
City of Wilsonville - 2024
Portland Fruit Tree Project – 2023
Rivers of Life Center – 2023
Friends of Bandon Park – 2022
Highland Neigborhood Association – 2022
Essex General Construction – 2021
Clackamas River Basin Council – 2020
Willamette Valley Ponderosa Pine Conservation Association – 2019
Plant Oregon Nursery, Talent, Oregon – 2018
North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District’s Natural Areas Program – 2017
Eugene Friends of Trees – 2016
President’s Award:
Mike Oxendine, founder, OUR Community Forestry - 2024
Terry Flanagan, Teragon Consulting – 2023
Jennifer Killian, City of Corvallis Urban Forester – 2022
Kristin Ramstad, Oregon Department of Forestry: Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Program Manager – 2021
Scott Altenhoff, City of Eugene Urban Forestry Management Analyst – 2020
Diane Berry, City of Echo Urban Forest Manager – 2019
Jon Pywell, City of Corvallis Urban Forester – 2018
Greg Giesy, Past President – 2017
Brian Wegener, Past President – 2017
John Bellon, City of Klamath Falls – 2016
Oregon Tree City of the Year Award:
City of Pendleton - 2024
City of Talent – 2023
City of Cottage Grove – 2022
City of Milwaukie – 2021
City of Grants Pass – 2020
City of Corvallis – 2019
City of Lake Oswego – 2018
City of Baker City – 2017
City of Eugene – 2016
