The City of Terre Haute Arbor Day Urban Forestry Award Ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of those individuals, businesses, organizations who contribute to the health and sustainability of Terre Haute’s Urban Forest while increasing public awareness about the importance of the urban forest to the quality of life to those who live and work within the city. The Urban Forest is not just the trees in the city; it includes the soil, water, plants, animals, and people.  The Urban Forest is a system that depends on all of these elements to thrive.  This is why these awards include not only trees, but clean water, recycling, clean-up efforts, public gardening, education, or exotic plant removals.

Award winners will be recognized at the City of Terre Haute Arbor Day Celebration on April 28th at The Terre Haute Brewing Company, 401 S 9th Street. A reception will begin at 6pm followed by a ceremony at 7pm. The event is free and open to the public.

The founders of Trees Inc. were recognized with the Urban Forester's Award in 2014.

The following awards are presented:

Joy Sacopulos Legacy Award-Awarded to an individual, organization, or business whose vision, leadership and commitment to improving the quality of life for those who live and work in the City of Terre Haute has made a lasting contribution that sustains or improves the Urban Forest for future generations. 

Volunteer of the Year – Awarded to an individual for outstanding personal service whose dedication and generosity have benefited the Urban Forest. This may be a tree planting, invasive species removal, tree maintenance, clean-up, or recycling. 

Outstanding Educational Institution or Educator - Awarded to an institution, program, or educator whose has contributed to the improvement of the Urban Forest through educational programs, student civic engagement, or projects. Eligible applicants include daycare, afterschool programs, public or private elementary, middle, high school, and colleges or an individual instructor. Projects must be in the city limits, have an element of student involvement, have public access, and have been completed with the past two years. Eligible projects include educational programs that focus on creating a healthy urban forest, such as trees and their benefits, storm water run-off and clean water, sustainability, recycling, or invasive species removal.

Outstanding Business- Awarded to the business who has contributed to improving the quality of the urban forest in Terre Haute. This includes landscaping and green infrastructure improvements on business property. It also includes businesses such as tree care companies, nurseries and landscape companies whose services include increasing awareness of the importance of the urban forest and promotes the industry's highest standards in tree care.

Cornerstone Award – Awarded to a City Employee who shows an outstanding contribution to the Urban Forest through community engagement or the development of an idea or project. The nominee must be an employee in good standing and work with volunteers, or provides a suggestion that is implemented or provides service that results in the improvement of the urban forest.

Pat Martin - 2015 Cornerstone Award Recipient

Make a Nomination

The general public is invited to make a nomination for the awards presented at the Arbor Day Ceremony. Both paper and electronic nomination will be accepted. All nominations are due by Friday, April 1st. Click here to fill out a paper nomination form. 

Become a Sponsor 

Your organization or business can support urban forestry by being a sponsor of the Arbor Day Award Ceremony. Below lists award levels and requested donation amount. To learn about additional sponsorship opportunities or other ways to contribute to the urban forest, contact the urban forester. Submissions for sponsorships can be submitted here.