He has logged more than 700 volunteer hours with the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program, assisting with tree planting and tree care at parks and natural areas around the state.
Geri Johnson accepted the award for her husband for his extensive tree planting contributions. From the time he was a young man, Johnson transformed the family homestead in rural Brown County from an area that was nearly devoid of trees into a beautiful landscape that is now graced with a canopy of shade and fruit trees.
Duane planted and nurtured groves and shelter belts in the cattle lots and pastures, which, over nearly 50 years, resulted in more than 15,000 trees.
Affiliate Excellence Award
The Affiliate Excellence Award recognizes excellence in plant collection diversity, maintenance practices and community engagement.
This year’s award was presented to John Bohrer, curator of the Bennington Heritage Arboretum & the Doug Nelson Youth Complex Arboretum in Bennington.
Thanks to Bohrer’s efforts, the two once-neglected areas, which together comprise about four acres, have been transformed into recreational spaces featuring 25 species of trees and numerous shrubs, as well as a previously existing iris garden containing more than 70 varieties of the Sass Iris, which was developed in Bennington during the 1920s. The two arboretums were officially named NSA landscape affiliate sites in 2022.
Ron Yoder Service Award
The Ron Yoder Service Award was established this year to honor an individual who has generously committed time, talents and effort in support of Nebraska Statewide Arboretum’s mission.
Dr. Ron Yoder, who retired in September from his role as senior associate vice chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is the inaugural recipient. He joined UNL in 2004 as the department head of Biological Systems Engineering.
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