Dr. Nina Bassuk Receives 2015 Arbor Day Award

Nebraska City, Neb. (April 6, 2015) – Dr. Nina Bassuk, founder of Cornell University's Urban Horticulture Institute, is the recipient of a 2015 Arbor Day Award in honor of her outstanding contribution to tree planting, conservation and stewardship, the Arbor Day Foundation announced today.

Dr. Nina Bassuk is one of 13 individuals, organizations and companies being recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation during the annual Arbor Day Awards. This year's ceremony will be held at Lied Lodge & Conference Center, located at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska, on Saturday, April 25.

Dr. Nina Bassuk will receive the Frederick Law Olmsted Award.

Dr. Bassuk's focus includes the development of bare root transplanting technology and CU-Structural Soil -- a patented mix for urban environments engineered by Dr. Bassuk and her colleagues at Cornell to provide rooting area for street trees, thereby decreasing tree mortality. Owing to her efforts, thousands of trees have been planted around the world in conditions that would not have otherwise supported trees.

Since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the inspiring and life-changing work of leading environmental stewards and tree planters through the annual Arbor Day Awards.

Award winners from previous years include the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, the United States Forest Service, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

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