October 21, 2009

LINCOLN, Neb. — An educator, construction company and nurseryman were among those honored at the 2009 Award Reception of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum on Oct. 10 at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. The honorees received awards for outstanding contributions in the areas of education, tree-planting and community beautification.

Johnny Appleseed Award – Recognizes an individual who embodies the gentle good nature of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) through a sustained personal involvement in tree planting in Nebraska.

Larry Martin has planted over 800 black walnut and pecan trees and, along with his son Justin, shares his knowledge and expertise through seminars about the nutritional value of nuts and about growing and grafting nut trees. Martin helped found Heartland Nuts 'N More, a cooperative of 35 native black walnut and pecan growers who process and distribute nuts nationwide through a retail, processing and packaging plant in Valparaiso.

Educator Award – Recognizes educators who have made an outstanding contribution toward advancing the knowledge and appreciation of plants among their students.

McKenzie Barry of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District works tirelessly to advance environmental education in Lincoln and surrounding communities. Her enthusiasm and passion have inspired thousands of children and youth, teachers and non-formal educators to "Get Outside!" through school Nature Clubs and Nature Nights for families. She works with teachers and administrators to develop well-designed outdoor classrooms with native plants, wildlife habitat and natural play elements, and trains them to use the space effectively. Barry's ability to "make things happen" makes her an exceptional educator.

President's Citation – Given at the discretion of the president of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Executive Board in recognition of outstanding contribution toward the NSA mission.

Nurseryman Bob Campbell (posthumous) was an incredibly successful nurseryman who created a remarkable nursery business in Lincoln and transferred his love of plants to his children and grandchildren, who in turn are passing this passion on to new generations of Nebraskans. It's impossible to measure the impact Campbell and other pioneering Nebraska nurserymen and women but their efforts have beautified landscapes throughout the state.

Blazing Star Award – Recognizes significant contributions in native plant horticulture or the restoration of native plant communities in Nebraska.

Peg and Larry Fletcher have worked hard to restore their acreage along the Mopac trail to prairie and native woodlands, harvesting native seed from local prairie remnants and native oaks. Through their efforts, this beautiful grassland prairie will be maintained in perpetuity as a scenic, cultural, scientific and educational resource easily accessible to Lincoln-area trail users.

Jim Kluck Honor Award – Recognizes significant contributions to the organization or to an affiliate site of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum as exemplified by the late Schuyler nurseryman Jim Kluck.

B n E Construction owners Eric Johnson and Bill Hubbel turned a $30,000 project into a $45,000 project for the Franklin Cotterell Greens Arboretum in North Bend. The half-mile concrete trail they built makes the arboretum accessible to the school and the nearby care center, greatly expanding the arboretum's use. Without their generous contribution, the trail could not have been completed this year, Feurer said, "The North Bend community has been very good to us and now, through B n E's generosity, this beautiful, winding trail is a gift back to the community."

Affiliate Excellence Award – Recognizes an affiliate site of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum that demonstrates excellence in collection development, maintenance practice and community engagement.

Campus of a Thousand Oaks Arboretum at Peru State College is nestled in the oak-covered hills above the Missouri River. The college is over 140 years old, relatively young compared to some of the majestic trees growing on campus and in surrounding woodlands. An accredited arboretum since 1979, it experienced a rebirth over the last 10 years through curators Mike Haley and Linda Jacobsen. Hundreds of new trees and shrubs have been planted, including an oak grove with 37 species. Haley says "if it's an oak and it will grow in Nebraska, we'll have it at Peru State College."

Volunteer Award – Recognizes sustained volunteer contributions to an affiliate site of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

Betty Olson, Betty Poague and Bob Vogel, all of Lincoln. For the past six years, rain or shine, this group of volunteers has logged countless hours to get native and under-used perennials, grasses and tree seedlings off to a good start and into the hands of eager gardeners.

Graduate Student Research Award – Recognizes outstanding graduate student work in woody plant research in Nebraska.

Christina Huck is a self-starter whose experiments with various trellis systems for grapes helped determine their impact on yield and harvest fruit characteristics. She is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln focusing on sustainable viticulture and continuing her efforts to provide science-based recommendations for Nebraska grape growers.

The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is both a non-profit horticultural organization and a program of the Nebraska Forest Service, part of the University of Nebraska's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. NSA achieves its mission of "sustainable landscapes for healthy homes and communities" through initiatives in education, community landscapes and the environment (http://arboretum.unl.edu).

10/21/09-KL

Contacts:

Karma Larsen
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
Communications Associate
(402) 472-2971

Dan Moser
IANR News & Photography Coordinator
(402) 472-3007

Department:
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum