The City of Carthage has been recognized with a 2026 Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence, honoring the community’s ongoing efforts to restore, protect and responsibly manage its urban tree canopy. The award was presented in the Municipalities/Governments category by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Community Forestry Council (MCFC).
At the heart of this recognition is the work of the Carthage Tree Board, whose members have helped bring together the planning, partnerships and efforts behind Carthage’s continued investment in its community trees. Working alongside the City of Carthage Parks & Recreation Department and conservation partners, the Tree Board continues to advocate for the care and future of Carthage’s tree canopy.
Carthage Parks & Recreation Director Richard Bonine and Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Roy Sawyer represented the City in accepting the award at the annual Missouri Community Forestry Council Conference in Springfield on September 23.
The recognition comes following significant work to rebuild Carthage’s urban tree canopy after a major spring storm in 2024. According to MDC, Carthage utilized the Landowner and Community Assistance Program (LCAP) and community support to help address storm damage while also removing ash trees threatened by emerald ash borer.
During FY25, an LCAP contract funded the removal of 20 ash trees and the planting of 42 replacement trees in Central Park and along West Chestnut Street. The effort continued in FY26 with 13 additional trees removed from Municipal Park and the golf course and 26 new trees planted.
The Missouri Arbor Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding stewardship of community trees. Award nominations are evaluated on sustainability, innovation, sound tree-management principles, contribution to the community and the effectiveness of the tree-care work or program.
This statewide recognition is something the entire Carthage community can be proud of, and the City extends a special thank you to the Carthage Tree Board for the work and dedication that helped make this recognition possible, as well as to the Parks & Recreation Department and the many partners who continue working to protect and restore Carthage’s trees for future generations.
Congratulations to the Carthage Tree Board, Parks & Recreation Department and everyone involved in earning this outstanding recognition for our community!
For more information about the Missouri Arbor Awards of Excellence, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation: Pictured left to right are MCFC Chair Troy Powell, Carthage Parks and Recreation Director Richard Bonine, Carthage Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Roy Sawyer, owner of Brown Bear Tree Care Dakoda Reynold, and Russell Hinnah of MDC.