Each year, Trees SC recognizes individuals, organizations and municipalities for their contribution to the urban forests in South Carolina.  Trees SC has two annual awards: the Golden Acorn Awards and the Heritage Tree Award.

Golden Acorn Awards

Golden Acorn for Distinguished Professional Service Award

This award recognizes a professional for his or her outstanding contribution to urban and/or community forestry. Nominees can include foresters, arborists, growers, educators, and any other profession that has made a significant contribution to the field of urban forestry.  To be eligible for an award, the nominee must be employed in South Carolina and have at least five years of experience in urban and/or community forestry or a related field.  Preference will be given to members of Trees SC. Past award winners include Liz Gilland, Jane Hayes, Tom Knowles, Jack Walker, Debbie Price, Dr. Howard Tucker, Dr. Don Ham and Dr. Judy Caldwell.
Make a nomination!

Golden Acorn for Distinguished Volunteer Service Award

This award recognizes an individual for their outstanding contribution to urban and/or community forestry as a volunteer.  Nominees must be a volunteer that has worked directly with a forester, arborist, grower, educator, community leader, elected official, or any other related organization that supports and promotes urban and/or community forestry.  The volunteer must reside in and volunteer in South Carolina.  This award was created in 2009, with the inaugural award presented to Mary Lou Jones.
Make a nomination!

Golden Acorn Outstanding Community Forestry Program Award

This award recognizes a community organization that provides exemplary leadership and vision to a comprehensive urban and/or community forestry program.  Activities can include, but are not limited to, beautification, fundraising, partnerships, tree planting or preservation, scheduled tree maintenance, tree inventories, public education, and memorial tree planting programs.  To be eligible for an award, the nominee must be a program managed by a community group or organization within South Carolina that has been in existence for more than 12 months.  Preference will be given to members of Trees SC.  This award was created in 2009, with the inaugural award presented to the Town of McClellanville.
Make a nomination!

Golden Acorn Outstanding Community Forestry Program Award

This award recognizes governments, universities and colleges, corporations and state agencies that provide exemplary leadership and vision to a comprehensive urban forestry program.  Activities can include, but are not limited to, beautification, fundraising, partnerships, tree planting or preservation, scheduled tree maintenance, tree inventories, public education, and memorial tree planting programs.  To be eligible for an award, the nominee must be a municipality, institute of higher education, land-grant institution, corporation, state agency or government entity located within South Carolina that has at least one forester on staff.   Preference will be given to members of Trees SC.  Past award winners include the City of Irmo, City of Florence, Clemson University, City of Dillon, Town of Hilton Head Island, Charleston Trees, Lexington County, and the City of Charleston.
Make a nomination!

Heritage Tree Award

The Heritage Tree Award recognizes a special community tree or group of trees. Nominees can be trees with special historical or cultural significance or, simply, a tree that is of special significance to the community. All nominees must be trees located on public property within South Carolina.  Past award winners include the Centennial Bur Oak (Clemson), White Oak (Irmo), the Deerhead Oak (McClellanville), Wade Hampton Oak (Conway), Boundary Street Oak Allee (Aiken), Horseshoe (USC), and the Angel Oak (Charleston).
Make a nomination!

Note:

All nominations must be postmarked by July 23, 2010, and winners will be announced during the Trees SC annual conference this fall in Charleston.  For more information, please contact Karen Hauck at (843) 814-4620 or karen@treessc.org.  Thank you for your assistance with recognizing outstanding contributions to urban and community forestry in our state.