W.S. Merwin Receives 2015 Arbor Day Award

Nebraska City, Neb. (April 9, 2015) – W.S. Merwin is the recipient of a 2015 Arbor Day Award in honor of his outstanding contribution to tree planting, conservation and stewardship, the Arbor Day Foundation announced today.

W.S. Merwin 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.

W.S. Merwin is the recipient of the Good Steward Award.

During nearly 40 years on Maui, W.S. Merwin has planted a 19-acre botanical garden of palm trees, cultivating by hand what is now a rainforest recognized as one of the largest and most extensive private collections in the world. The Merwin Palm Collection boasts some 3,000 palm trees representing more than 400 species and nearly 900 different varieties. Merwin has, on average, planted one tree each day for more than three decades.

The impact of Merwin's work reflects the values of wilderness, the stillness of nature, and our personal connection to the natural world. Through his long-standing outreach efforts, his message has spread far and wide and inspired thousands to conservation.

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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