West Virginia State University (WVSU) proudly announces Extension Agent Brad Cochran has received the prestigious Gold Leaf Award from the International Society of Arboriculture. Cochran received the honor for leading the University’s Arbor Day activities and program efforts.
“We’re very proud of the work Brad has done to ensure West Virginia State’s arboriculture practices are successful,” said Dr. Ami Smith, Director of Extension at WVSU. “From planning our annual Arbor Day celebration to hosting tree plantings across the state, Brad has worked tirelessly to keep arboriculture top of mind at WVSU and throughout the communities we serve.”
Cochran routinely conducts forestry related workshops throughout the region and was instrumental in securing Tree Campus U.S.A. designation for WVSU in 2013 and 2014, making the University the first institution of higher education in the state to receive the honor from the Arbor Day Foundation.
“It is truly an honor to receive the Gold Leaf award,” Cochran said. “Throughout the past four years, I have had the pleasure of working with school-aged children as well as adults on various Arbor Day events. Without their interest and support, none of this would be possible. This award inspires me to plan and conduct even more Arbor Day events and urban forestry workshops in the future.”
The Gold Leaf award is intended for individuals, organizations and communities for either outstanding Arbor Day activities or outstanding landscape beautification activities. The award is an opportunity to acknowledge worthy individuals, organizations or municipalities for projects having had a significant impact upon a community or region.
The award was presented to Cochran last month by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
