Recognized as Outstanding Advocate by Trees Forever...

Trees Forever was proud to recognize Ric Zarwell of Lansing with its Outstanding Advocate Award. Zarwell has been committed to conservation advocacy his entire life, primarily on behalf of birds. Over the past ten years, his involvement with Trees Forever has grown, and he has invested hundreds of hours working with Trees Forever staff and others to found Bird Friendly Iowa, a statewide bird habitat conservation and education outreach group. “Ric Zarwell has spent hundreds of hours in the last four years as a volunteer to help create Bird Friendly Iowa. He has participated in a number of Trees Forever programs and sees Bird Friendly Iowa as a way to carry the conservation message to more people in Iowa, and to call people to take action to protect and restore the environment,” Trees Forever Field Coordinator Patty Reisinger said. “His passion for trees and the environment are obvious as he steps forward to be the voice for trees and the environment.”

Zarwell was officially recognized for his advocacy efforts at the nonprofit’s Annual Celebration and Awards Dinner June 14. Pictured above, left to right, at that award presentation are Trees Forever Board Chair Brad Morgan, Ric Zarwell and Trees Forever CEO and Founding President Shannon Ramsay. “Tonight we recognize the most outstanding-those who truly exemplify the Trees Forever mission. All of our winners are helping us with our goal of planting a better tomorrow,” Trees Forever CEO and Founding President Shannon Ramsay said. To learn more about the award winners, visit http://www.treesforever.org/annualcelebration2018. Submitted photo.