Indiana State University Newsroom

The Indiana Urban Forest Council recently recognized Kevin Runion, a member of the board of directors of TREES Inc., as its Outstanding Individual of the Year.

The award is based on the recipient's volunteer work. Runion's volunteer work includes his leadership in TREES Inc., service on the city of Terre Haute's Tree Advisory Board, Indiana National Road Association, Holly Arboretum, ArtSpaces, and providing landscape designs and consultations for "101 Trees of Indiana," Centennial Park, the Vigo County Courthouse Plaza and others.

"Kevin's professional work as associate vice president for facilities management has transformed the ISU campus," said Trish Eccles, TREES Inc. president.

"Through his quiet advocacy, his professional expertise as an architect and landscape architect, and his willingness to share his talents as a community volunteer, Kevin has changed the landscape of Terre Haute. Those who know Kevin recognize his professional skill and signature in the Terre Haute urban forest and landscape. He is a worthy recipient of Indiana Urban Forestry Council's Individual of the Year Award."

Runion was recognized at the Indiana Urban Forest Council's fall conference in Indianapolis.

At the same conference, Stephanie Krull, grounds manager in the Division of Facilities Management, was elected to the Indiana Urban Forest Council's executive board. Krull is leading planning efforts to include an orchard in the community garden site on ISU property east of campus. She has been asked to speak during the board's January meeting about the use of orchards in community gardening.

The Indiana Urban Forest Council was born of a Federal Urban Forestry Act requiring all states to have an urban forester and a council or board furthering the goals of urban forestry. The council sponsors four training seminars annually.

Indiana had a fertile field of volunteers making it one of the "model" states, Krull said.

"ISU grounds staff regularly attend IUFC conferences to further our knowledge about tree care and network with other state professionals on a quarterly basis," she said. "I hope, in fact, to host an IUFC meeting at some time in the future and give local tree care professionals an opportunity to attend without travel expenses."