Recognition Programs Overview

Arizona Magnificent Trees

This program recognizes trees that are the largest of their species or - Champion Trees, trees that have cultural significance and a direct connection to people - or Heritage Trees, and trees that are proven to have been in their same location before Arizona's Statehood - or Witness Trees.

Learn the History, Heritage of Arizona's Magnificent Trees - LoriAnne Barnett Warren, DFFM Urban Forestry Specialist 

Tree City USA 

Tree City USA is a prestigious designation that Arizona cities can earn by meeting minimum standards for community forestry programs at the municipal level. A program of the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, the program is administered in Arizona by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management - Urban and Community Forestry program. Tree City USA recognizes communities that have developed urban forestry programs and that proactively plant and care for trees.

Tree Campus USA 

Tree Campus USA is a prominent designation that Arizona colleges and universities can earn by meeting minimum standards for campus forestry programs. A program of the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, the program is administered in Arizona by the Department of Forestry and Fire Management - Urban and Community Forestry program. 

Tree Line USA  

Tree Line USA recognizes public and private utilities that effectively promote the dual goals of safe, reliable electric service and abundant, healthy trees across utility service areas. 

Community Tree Advocate of the Year  

The Community Tree Advocate of the Year is someone who upholds and demonstrates values associated with a dedication to forestry and responsible management of forest resources. This person is a constructive member and dedicated volunteer within their community and is currently not employed as a forester or in a related field. 

2024 Winner and Nominees: 

WINNER: Kazandra Esperanza Zelaya

Kazandra was nominated for her work with Arizona Sustainability Alliance as a staff volunteer. She was instrumental in their tree monitoring program in 2023. Each tree that AZSA plants is monitored afterward, so Kazandra assisted in creating a GIS Program that AZSA uses to support this process. The program assigns a number and location to each tree and graphically illustrates the data on file about the tree, which has reinforced the tree-monitoring program.

Palo Verde Award for Urban Forestry Enhancement 

This award is given to an exceptional business or organization whose work provides innovative leadership or contributions of talent and effort that enable the advancement of sustainable community forestry efforts at a local or state level. 

2024 Winner and Nominees: 

WINNER: Gornish Lab

The Gornish Lab project set out to fill bare, heat-trapping spaces on campus with drought tolerant, fast-growing plants and trees to reduce the heat island effect. Mini forests are designed by a restoration ecologist and then installed by local on-campus student groups like the U of A Restoration Club and Students for Sustainability. So far, nine mini forests have been planted and over 70 students have been engaged. Almost 100% of the installed plants are thriving and supplemental irrigation has been significantly curtailed. Additionally, wildlife and pollinators have been documented visiting these new mini forests. The Gornish Lab has included outreach events in this work, like seedball making and plant press creations for community and student education.

NOMINEE: Dunbar/Spring Neighborhood Foresters

NOMINEE: Trees Make Change

Ironwood Award for Public Service 

This award is presented to an exemplary government official or employee, who through extraordinary efforts, has significantly and positively contributed to and enhanced urban forest management at a community or state level. 

2024 Winner and Nominees: 

WINNER: William Jones, Administrative Assistant for the St. Michael’s Community on the Navajo Nation

Last July, William led an initiative to connect with forestry professionals across Northern Arizona and began to collect firewood from dead trees to cut down on fuels for wildfires. With this work, the St. Michael’s Community received 19 cords of firewood and the warehouse is fully stocked. This is crucial on the Navajo Nation, where they use firewood to heat their homes in the cold winter months. St. Michael’s has many high risk community members as well as families with three generations living under one roof. Congratulations William, for taking the initiative to help your community through your forestry skills.

NOMINEE: Victoria Wesley-Randall, San Carlos Apache Tribe Forestry Department

NOMINEE:  Cuong Dinh, City of Phoenix Supervisor of the Forestry Section

NOMINEE: Asar Acosta, Maricopa County Flood Control District Tall Pot Nursery at Durango Campus

Ponderosa Pine Partnership Award 

To increase the recognition of outstanding urban forestry projects in Arizona, this award is presented for the innovative strategic, and/or pioneering collaborative efforts of organizations in Arizona. It recognizes a project for exceptional involvement of multiple organizations implemented during the past year. 

2024 Winner and Nominees: 

WINNER: Arizona Arboriculture Pre-employment Program 

Eight students from Yuma committed to 8 weeks, 32 hours a week of pre-employment education. They studied a wide range of topics from money management, to interviewing, to healthy eating, to the study of trees and shrubs, OSHA and ANSI standards, physical education, tree pruning, soils, tree health, First Aid and CPR, tree planting, basic climbing, basic rigging and the list goes on. Several moved on to an additional 8 weeks of internships with a goal of them pursuing an Arboriculture profession. This program was coordinated by the Arizona Community Tree Council.

NOMINEE: Superstition Springs Transit Center Landscape Restoration Project

NOMINEE: HOA Tree Stewards Program

NOMINEE: Arizona Sustainability Alliance, American Forests Tree Equity curriculum, and Camelback High School

NOMINEE: Phoenix Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable Tree Species Subcommittee