The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) recently recognized several individuals and organizations for their stewardship of their community's forests and trees. All recipients of the 2025 Vermont Tree Steward awards will be honored at the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Conference on May 29 in Randolph.

They are:

ARBOR DAY: Ellen Sivret, Barre

Each year VT UCF staff select an individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in a community's urban and community forest for this award. For more than 30 years, Sivret has been a dedicated steward of the Mathewson Playground in Barre. She established a neighborhood committee for the care and beautification of the site including pruning trees, fundraising for park enhancements and planting flowers to further enrich the space. Sivret also secured funding for fencing, ground cover and other essential upgrades and arranged for tree plantings to provide shade for six seating areas. She recently initiated a project at the park to remove asphalt and replace it with grass to improve stormwater drainage and increase green space. For her ongoing commitment to community service and environmental stewardship, the City of Barre proclaimed September 19, 2018, as “Ellen Sivret Day.”

5 people outside
As part of her continued stewardship of the Mathewson Playground in Barre, Ellen Sivret (second from right) started a neighborhood committee for the care and beautification of the site, earning the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program’s Arbor Day award for her commitment. (photo courtesy of Ellen Sivret)

HAMILTON: Don Tobi, Underhill

This award is presented annually to 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 public education. Tobi, who has served as the tree warden for Jericho and Underhill since 2009, played a key role in enhancing the streetscape along Vermont Route 15 through tree plantings. He oversees the care of trees on the Jericho town green, including the historic Town Elm. He also developed, and continues to update, an emerald ash borer preparedness plan for Jericho and helped coordinate a roadside ash tree survey in 2024. Tobi works with the Jericho Conservation Commission and served on a commission subcommittee to establish a town tree nursery. In addition, he is a forest entomologist and licensed professional forester in Vermont and New Hampshire and the wood procurement forester for the Burlington Electric Department.

man by a stream holding a fish
The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program recognized Don Tobi, tree warden for Jericho and Underhill, with its Hamilton Award, given annually to a tree warden who has significantly advanced the goals of urban and community forestry. (photo courtesy of Don Tobi)

LEADER: Margo Ghia, Windham Regional Commission planner

As a regional planner, Ghia has been instrumental in integrating forestry considerations into local land-use planning and policy development by fostering collaboration between municipalities, conservation groups and state agencies. Through workshops and other outreach efforts, she has helped educate the public about the importance of urban forests and taking an active role in tree stewardship. She has developed comprehensive tree management strategies, secured funding for forestry initiatives and implemented best practices for maintaining tree canopy health for her 27-town region. Ghia also has been a key advocate for invasive species management, working with local organizations to develop strategies for mitigating the impact the emerald ash borer, tree-of-heaven and other invasive pests and then equipping communities with the knowledge and tools needed to protect their forests.

someone tapping a maple tree
Margo Ghia, Windham Regional Commission planner, was honored by the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program with its Leader Award for her efforts in integrating forestry considerations into local land-use planning and policy development and her work with invasive species management. (photo courtesy of Margo Ghia)

UNSUNG HERO: Peter Lynch, Brattleboro Department of Public Works assistant director

Lynch serves as the liaison between the Brattleboro Tree Board and the city, helping to navigate town processes and policies regarding trees and responding to questions from board members. He supports the tree board’s goals to conduct projects to benefit Brattleboro’s trees and community, including their efforts to work with the town on planting, removing, trimming and maintaining trees. He has helped with grant writing for the board and facilitation of community events, including coordinating two of the VT UCF Program’s free tree giveaways, including securing a venue and arranging for town staff to assist with setup and distribution.

a man standing in front of a building
Peter Lynch, Brattleboro Department of Public Works assistant director, is the recipient of the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program's Unsung Hero Award for his ongoing support of the Brattleboro Tree Board. (photo courtesy of Peter Lynch)

VOLUNTEER GROUP: Upper Valley Apple Corps

For the past 15 years, the Upper Valley Apple Corps has planted dozens of free-for-the-picking fruit and nut trees in public spaces throughout the Upper Connecticut River Valley. Volunteers also care for the trees, harvest and process the fruit and establish plant guilds. They are involved with several community gardens and edible landscape initiatives, contributing not only their labor, but also their knowledge of permaculture and ecological design. The all-volunteer group also established the Tree Brigade, collaborating with community members to plant and care for trees in an effort to grow the urban forest. One of their newest initiatives is the Hartford Hub, a community space designed to bring together local food systems projects, organizations and others in the Hartford area and towns across the river in New Hampshire, to address local food systems resilience.

large group of people outdoors
For its work in helping to address food insecurity in the Upper Connecticut River Valley by planting free-for-picking fruit and nut trees and other projects, the Upper Valley Apple Corps received the Volunteer Group Award from the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program. (photo courtesy of the Upper Valley Apple Corps)

VT UCF also serves as the state coordinator for the national awards program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. These awards include:

  • TREE CITY USA: Burlington, Essex, Essex Junction, Hartford, Middlebury, Montpelier, Rutland, Shelburne, Waterbury, Winooski
  • TREE CAMPUS USA: Middlebury College, St. Michael's College 

VT UCF is a partnership between University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. For more information, visit www.vtcommunityforestry.org.