To celebrate those who go “above and beyond” to care for community trees, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Missouri Community Forestry Council (MCFC) are accepting nominations for the 2026 Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence, due by Aug. 24.
Officials said the annual award recognizes communities, institutions, businesses, organizations and people who make significant and long-lasting efforts to care for trees in their communities.
Anyone who has improved or preserved the planting or health of trees in their community over the last year are eligible, including the contribution of care or maintenance of trees, qualifies for nomination.
“Trees bring so much value to our communities, but their overall health depends on people practicing good tree stewardship,” MDC Community Forester Coordinator Russell Hinnah said. “I encourage you to think about recent projects and events involving trees in your community and nominate them for the 2026 Arbor Award of Excellence.”
Past winner Jason O’Malley, for example, helped secure an $8 million federal grant for St. Louis. The grant will fund a five-year initiative to remove 1,600 dead trees and plant 3,200 new ones in an effort to revitalize disadvantaged and marginalized neighborhoods, and as a response to tornado damage through the city. O’Malley is an arborist.
Groups and municipalities are also eligible. Also in St. Louis and related to tornado damage, the STL Neighborhood Foresters (STL TreeLC) organization was honored for its innovative, volunteer-led urban forestry stewardship. It hosted 75 “blitzes” in nine St. Louis neighborhoods. Officials said the grassroots group was recognized for empowering residents to care for over 500 trees in their communities, and its hands-on education and mapping technology was vital for community recovery after a May 2025 tornado.
As another example the City of Kirkwood was awarded for transforming its urban forest and utility management programs by hiring certified arborists, updating tree ordinances and creating a reimbursement program to plant trees. The innovative partnerships and community engagement demonstrated the city’s commitment to preserving its canopy, officials said.
Winners receive a framed award, a full registration scholarship to the MCFC conference in September in Springfield, an extra ticket to the award banquet during the conference, a community forestry reference book, and a $50 gift card.
For more information and nomination forms, visit mdc.mo.gov/about-us.
