ISA Honors Best and Brightest in Tree Care with "Awards of Distinction"

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) announces nine winners of the 2012 Awards of Distinction.

The awards were presented at the 88^th annual ISA Conference and Trade Show, August 11—15^th in Portland, Ore., and honored the following:

• Dr. H. Dennis P. Ryan — Award of Merit (Amherst, Mass.)
• Susan Murray — Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Arboricultural Education (Langley, British Columbia)
• Dr. Tom Smiley — Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Arboricultural Education (Charlotte, N.C.)
• Pedro Mendes Castro — Award of Achievement  (Minas Gerais, Brazil)
• Thomas Mugridge — Honorary Life Membership (South Euclid, Ohio)
• Dr. Michael Raupp — R.W. Harris Author's Citation (College Park, Md.)
• Dr. Jason Grabosky — L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research (New Brunswick, N.J.)
• Tobe Sherrill — Millard F. Blair Exceptional Contribution to Practical Arboriculture Award (Greensboro, N.C.)
• Dr. P. Eric Wiseman — Early-Career Scientist Award (Blacksburg, Va.)

Their outstanding accomplishments include:

• Ryan identified risks of potential hazards in arboriculture through publications and presentations, and as a professor advocating a safer professional environment.
• Murray inspired others as teacher, author, and volunteer in tree care initiatives and established first ISA certification programs in her chapter.
• Smiley researched numerous projects, offering insight on scientific tree care information for arborists and urban foresters.
• Castro developed the Portuguese arborist certification exam for Brazil and brought first-ever tree climbing championship to his country.
• Mugridge devoted time as a perpetual volunteer on ISA committees involving safety and training practices to serve the industry.
• Raupp developed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, passing on knowledge through books, articles, and professional papers.
• Grabosky investigated Cornell Structural Soil, the industry standard for growing healthy trees in less than optimum conditions.
• Sherrill promoted safe work practices and tree climbing gear through the Sherrill Tree Catalog, a long-respected arborist publication.
• Wiseman encouraged young researchers as an educator and author to grow the arborist profession.

"This honored group brings value to arboriculture through their dedication to education, quality research, and best practices," said ISA President Colin Bashford. "It's imperative that we recognize our people and share their ideas to grow and improve our profession."

ISA, headquartered in Champaign, Ill., has been honoring members with the Awards of Distinction since 1963. More than 20,000 industry professionals make up the organization worldwide. For more information, visit www.isa-arbor.com.

SOURCE International Society of Arboriculture