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CHAMPION TREE CLIMBER,
TREE RESCUE TEAM, DISEASE EXPERT, AND OTHER TREE ADVOCATES
HONORED FOR GREENING THE GARDEN STATE
It's more than Christmas trees that are
making New Jersey's towns and cities greener.
"Community forestry programs have
'taken root' in New Jersey as more and more towns realize
the visual, social, economic, and environmental benefits
of trees," according to State Environmental Protection
Commissioner Bob Shinn.
To acknowledge and encourage these municipal
efforts, four winners of the 2001 Green Community Achievement
Awards were selected by the NJ Department of Environmental
Protection's (DEP) Forest Service in conjunction with the
New Jersey Community Forestry Council and the New Jersey
Tree Foundation.
The awards recognize contributions of exceptional
merit in the field of urban and community forestry. State
Forester James Barresi presented the 9th annual Green Community
Achievement Awards during ceremonies in Cherry Hill recently.
"The efforts of the four recipients
improve the Garden State's environment and overall quality
of life through wise management and care of trees, raising
awareness of the value of community trees, and enhancing
the beauty of towns and cities with trees," Barresi
said.
This year's winners are:
Mark Chisholm - Jackson Township
Chisholm works at Aspen Tree Experts, his family's business
in Jackson, and is the reigning International Society of
Arboriculture World Champion Tree Climber for the second
time, as well as the ISA NJ Chapter Tree Climbing Champion
for the last ten consecutive years. He provides demonstrations
and seminars across New Jersey and around the world that
have raised industry standards. He was chosen for the award
because of his competitive spirit, exemplary sportsmanship,
and tireless efforts on behalf of arborists throughout the
country and for the exceptional merit of his professional
contributions to improving the safety and instruction of
those in the profession. Chisholm is also a New Jersey Certified
Tree Expert (CTE).
Cliff Pfleider - Moorestown Township
Pfleider works for the Moorestown Department of Public Works
in Burlington County and was selected for his initiative
and perseverance that ultimately achieved the heightened
awareness of Bacterial Leaf Scorch as a serious threat to
the health of our forests. A New Jersey Certified Tree Expert,
he was recognized for his leadership role in convening a
national Bacterial Leaf Scorch Symposium at Rutgers. He
serves on the New Jersey Community Forestry Council and
has used his creativity and public relations talent to bring
Community Forestry statewide media attention through personal
appearances on cable TV, the radio, and in newspapers. As
Pfleider received the award he said, " You don't win
an award like this by yourself - everyone I've worked with
deserves the credit."
Manalapan Shade Tree Committee - Manalapan
Louise Lang, Chair of the Manalapan Shade Tree Committee,
accepted the award on behalf of her group for exemplary
leadership and unprecedented foresight in community forestry.
This was evidenced by their efforts that protected the character
of their community forest and hundreds of acres of trees
during Manalapan's development through innovative educational
programs and bold outreach projects. Lang commented, "Somebody
recognized we're doing a bang-up job. It makes you feel
good that somebody noticed." Manalapan, in addition
to having hired a CTE consulting forester, maintaining their
Tree City USA status for 10 years, and having an approved
Community Forest Management Plan, hosted the 2001 New Jersey
Arbor Day Celebration with more than 300 guests as the inaugural
event at their new Municipal Arboretum.
New Jersey Youth Corps - Phillipsburg
George Paffendorf, director of the New Jersey Youth Corps
(NJYC), accepted the Youth Project Category award on behalf
of the NJYC of Phillipsburg. NJYC received this award for
maintaining 2,500 trees on a 12-acre tree farm and securing
a DEP Recreational Trails Grant to establish an accessible,
3/4-mile interpretive trail at the tree farm while forming
the Riparian Rescue Team. The Rescue Team moves native species
trees from land targeted for development to the tree farm
for use in future streamside restoration and reforestation
projects.
"These beautifully coordinated, Herculean
endeavors are indicative of the dedication and integrity
of those involved in Youth Corps projects that improve the
environment while raising awareness of the value of trees,"
noted Barresi.
For more information about the Green
Community Achievement Awards, contact Mary Ferraro at 609-292-2532.
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