Oregon Community Trees (OCT) has honored a certified arborist from Talent with the organization's President's Award.
The award recognizes Michael Oxendine's exceptional contributions to urban and community forestry including his work as president of the nonprofit OCT in 2022-23.
This accolade follows closely on the heels of Oxendine's recognition in April when he received the Oregon Heritage Tree Program's 2024 "Tree Hero Award" during Oregon's Arbor Month celebrations.
Both awards are in addition to his work with the City of Talent to restore tree canopy after the devastating Almeda Fire, which led to the Oregon Department of Forestry naming Talent as Oregon's "Tree City of the Year" in 2023.
Oxendine is the first person in Oregon to receive both the President's Award and Tree Hero Award in the same year. His work with Our Community Forestry -- the nonprofit organization he founded last year -- is transforming Southern Oregon and positioning the region as a leader in equitable urban forestry.
Oxendine said he looks forward to planting hundreds of climate-resilient trees this fall at K-12 Title 1 schools throughout the state.
