Nina (center), Barbara Neal (left foreground), Bryan Denig (left),
and Yoshiki Harada (taking photo) had a professional peak
experience when they were hired to evaluate the condition
of the National Mall elms and develop a landscape plan for
their gradual replacement with a more diverse, sustainable,
and climate resilient inventory. Photo by Yoshiki Harada
Nina teaching Creating the Urban Eden students about
root architecture and proper tree planting techniques.
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Ever Meritorious
In 2002, Nina received the Society of Municipal
Arborists Award of Merit for advancing the
professions of arboriculture and urban for-
estry. This award, the highest honor that the
Society can bestow, recognized Nina's enor-
mous and ongoing contribution to our field.
In 2015, the Arbor Day Foundation honored
Nina with their prestigious Frederick Law
Olmsted Award and produced a professional
video about Nina's work. The award recognizes
lifelong commitment to tree planting and con-
servation; mobilizing people in tree planting
and care; making unique or extraordinary
contributions to education or research; and
serving as a role model and mentor to others.
A selection of Nina's many
other awards include:
• Alex L. Shigo Award for Excellence in
Arboricultural Education from the
International Society of Arboriculture
• Senior Scholars Award from the New
York State Arborists Association
• Stephen H. Weiss Presidential
Fellowship from Cornell University
• Teaching Award from the
American Horticultural Society
