Hamilton Award: In recognition of a Tree Warden who has significantly advanced the goals of urban and community forestry through successful forestry practices, effective conservation planning, increased citizen engagement, and active public education. This award is in honor of Dr. Larry Hamilton, the former Tree Warden in Charlotte, and is limited to Tree Wardens.

Don Tobi has served as the Tree Warden for the town of Jericho and Underhill since 2009, bringing invaluable expertise and dedication to the health and stewardship of the town’s trees. His proactive efforts have been a tremendous asset, ensuring that Jericho’s urban and roadside trees remain resilient and well-managed.

Don has played a key role in enhancing the streetscape along VT Route 15 through tree plantings and continues to oversee the care of trees on the Town Green, including the cherished Town Elm. Recognizing the serious threat of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) to Jericho’s roadside ash population, Don informed the Selectboard of the issue, developed a preparedness plan, and guided the town in budgeting for ash tree removal. In 2024, he helped coordinate a roadside ash tree survey, supervising two UVM student interns who carried out the project. He continues to update the EAB plan to ensure it remains current and responsive to new data.

Beyond his work as Tree Warden, Don has been a valued collaborator and advisor to the Jericho Conservation Commission. He actively participates in a subcommittee working to establish a Town Tree Nursery, offering insightful recommendations for its success. His dedication to public outreach has helped raise awareness of Jericho’s ongoing tree work, including providing essential background information for a tree-focused page on the town’s website. Recently, he voiced his support to the Selectboard for the Conservation Commission’s efforts to develop a Forest Management Plan for the Jericho Town Forest.

Don’s willingness to share his expertise extends to reviewing and editing grant proposals and offering guidance on tree-related projects. He has also been generous in assisting the Conservation Commission with tree-related questions and concerns from residents.

Don’s impressive career includes decades of work as a consulting forester and forest entomologist, as well as his long-standing role as Wood Procurement Forester for the Burlington Electric Department. His research contributions through the University of Vermont and his deep knowledge of forest health and management have made him a go-to resource in Jericho and beyond. A licensed professional forester in both Vermont and New Hampshire, Don has brought unmatched expertise, dedication, and generosity to his role as Tree Warden. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an accomplished and passionate advocate for trees working on our community’s behalf.

Leader Award: An individual who, through services to their community or organization, has shown leadership and dedication in carrying out an urban or community forestry effort. 

Margo has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting and enhancing the urban and community forests of the Windham region, ensuring their sustainability for generations to come. Her work has touched the lives of countless community members, landowners, and conservationists, making a deep impact on the resilience of the region.

As a regional planner, Margo has been instrumental in integrating forestry considerations into land-use planning and policy development. She has worked tirelessly to foster collaboration between municipalities, conservation groups, and state agencies, ensuring that urban and community forestry remains a priority in regional decision-making. Through her leadership, towns in the Windham Region – which includes 27 towns across Windham, Bennington, and Windsor counties - have been able to develop comprehensive tree management strategies, secure funding for forestry initiatives, and implement best practices for maintaining tree canopy health.

Margo has also played a critical role in educating the public on the importance of urban forests. She has organized workshops, led community engagement efforts, and facilitated training programs that empower residents to take an active role in tree stewardship. Her dedication to outreach has strengthened public awareness of how urban and community forests contribute to climate resilience, biodiversity, and overall quality of life.

Beyond planning and education, Margo has been a key advocate for invasive species management, recognizing the threats posed to Vermont’s forests. She has worked with local organizations to develop strategies for mitigating the impact of pests such as the emerald ash borer and tree-of-heaven, ensuring that communities are equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect their forests.

Margo works quietly and humbly and her efforts have made an undeniable difference in preserving the beauty and ecological integrity of the Windham Region’s forests. Her passion, dedication, and impact make her truly deserving of this honor.

Unsung Hero Award: An individual and/or group who work(s) behind the scenes and consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference in their community's urban and community forest.

Being part of an active volunteer board comes with challenges. Navigating Open Meeting laws and engaging with town government can be complex—especially in Brattleboro, where at least six departments have some jurisdiction over trees. In the past, this made it difficult to steward Brattleboro’s trees effectively. The Brattleboro Tree Board asked for a liaison to help navigate town processes. What they received in Peter was someone who makes things happen.

Peter is the Assistant Director of the Brattleboro Dept. of Public Works attends nearly every Tree Board meeting (missing only one due to a downtown fire). He responds to the board’s questions promptly and thoroughly—often texting town staff in real time as issues arise. More often than not, he has a resolution before the meeting adjourns. If not, he follows up with a solution by the next meeting.

Peter works tirelessly to support the Tree Board’s goals for the benefit of Brattleboro’s trees and community. Here are just two examples:

When the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program contacted the town to coordinate a free tree giveaway, Peter not only volunteered the DPW yard as a host site but also provided staff to assist with setup and distribution—twice.

When the board applied for a recent grant, he took charge of finalizing and submitting it after we completed the initial work.

His dedication goes beyond office hours. He meets with board members on weekends and evenings, despite the demands of his full-time job. Thanks to Peter, working with the town on planting, removing, trimming, and maintaining trees has become a seamless and rewarding experience.

Dan Adam’s, Brattleboro Tree warden sums it up best:

"I have served as Brattleboro’s Town Tree Warden for 30 years. My relationship with Public Works has always been good, but since Pete Lynch became Assistant Director, it has been nothing short of great. Pete is a problem solver with tireless energy, and he treats everyone with the utmost respect. The Tree Board, myself, and the trees of Brattleboro are incredibly fortunate to have Peter Lynch on our side."

Volunteer Group/Community Award: An organization, team or ad/hoc group, or community who, through their efforts, have shown outstanding dedication and commitment in introducing or sustaining an urban & community forestry project within their community.

Arbor Day: UCF staff award.

Ellen Sivret has been a tireless advocate for trees and urban forestry, demonstrating exceptional dedication to promoting environmental stewardship, education, and community engagement. 

For over 30 years, Ellen has been a dedicated steward of Mathewson Playground. Ellen’s commitment to community service and environmental stewardship was formally recognized by the City of Barre, which proclaimed September 19, 2018, as "Ellen Sivret Day." The day was intended to honor the positive impact of volunteering and dedication to the community. 

Recognizing the power of collective action, Ellen established a neighborhood committee dedicated to the care and beautification of Mathewson Playground. This committee has taken on responsibilities such as pruning trees, fundraising for park enhancements, and planting flowers to further enrich the space. Her ability to bring people together has strengthened community ties and ensured the long-term sustainability of the park’s green infrastructure.

She secured funding for essential upgrades, including fencing, ground cover, and a floodlight, ensuring the park remains a safe and welcoming space for all. As part of her commitment to enhancing the green space, she is leading a new project at the park that will include the removal of 113 square feet of asphalt, replacing it with grass to improve stormwater drainage and increase green space in the predominantly asphalt-covered playground. Additionally, four trees will be planted to provide shade for all six seating areas.

Her work extends beyond major projects—she consistently dedicates time to the daily, thankless upkeep of the park, including picking up trash and ensuring the space remains clean and inviting for all visitors. 

Ellen has transformed the park into a thriving community space through strategic improvements, community involvement, and plain hard work. Her leadership, advocacy, and passion have left a lasting impact on her community, making her a deserving recipient of this Arbor Day Award.