NWF EcoLeader Awarded Oregon Department of Forestry Urban & Community Forestry Award

NWF EcoLeader Michael Calhoun has received the statewide Oregon Urban & Community Forestry Award from the Oregon Department of Forestry. The award was given in recognition of Michael's leadership for the planting of a Hiroshima Peace Tree in Vernonia, Oregon.

The Hiroshima Peace Tree Project is a partnership between Japan and the United States where seedlings from Gingko trees that survived the atomic blast of World War II are planted in communities as a symbol of peace between nations. Hideko Tamura Snider, who survived the atomic blast as a child in Japan, resides now in Oregon. She brought this concept to be implemented in communities across the state. Michael applied for a tree to be planted in his hometown of Vernonia, a community that has had its share of resiliency from devastation itself. The city experienced two separate 500-year flood events in the span of only 11 years, both of which Michael lived through.

After a year of planning, the tree was planted in Ora Bolmeier Park. Michael oversaw the dedication ceremony with guest speakers Jim Gersbach (Oregon Department of Forestry) and Naoto Shigehisa (Consular Office of Japan). The forestry award was later presented to Michael for this project in "Demonstrating outstanding accomplishments and leadership in urban and community forestry." Michael currently serves as Chair of the Upper Nehalem Watershed Council and was elected Board Chair for the Columbia Soil & Water Conservation District.

Michael Calhoun holds up his Oregon Urban & Community Forestry Award

Michael has been an NWF EcoLeader since 2021 and through his time as an EcoLeader, has earned all the NWF EcoLeader Certifications, including five Campaign Badges, Project Certification and EcoLeader Certification. In reflecting on his experience with the NWF EcoLeaders Community and programming, Michael shared:

"The National Wildlife Federation certificate badges are a great way for anyone seeking to learn more about conservation actions they can make a difference in. Ranging from zero waste recycling to pollinator habitat, each of these certificate courses offer helpful insight on how to best implement projects that can be done in your own backyard. In particular, the Community EcoLeader certificate provided me the skills necessary to work with the city on this project from start to finish. There are many unexpected hurdles that anyone will encounter in overseeing a project. Having gone through all the NWF certificate badges, I have gained valuable skills that I will carry with me in the years to come."

National Wildlife Federation's EcoLeaders Online Community and Career Center is a project-based leadership and career development program for high school and college students and early career professionals designed to help emerging environmental leaders turn their passion into a profession. EcoLeaders provides participants with opportunities to learn about a variety of environmental topics, pursue project-based leadership certifications and connect with members across the country. The EcoLeaders Career Center facilitates the development of personalized sustainability career plans, learning about trends and opportunities in green careers, connecting with employers, and sharpening job skills. To learn more, and join the NWF EcoLeader Community, visit: www.nwfecoleaders.org

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