Spring has arrived in Washington, DC, and with it comes one of Casey Trees’ most anticipated events: the annual Canopy Awards. Held in recognition of Earth Month and Arbor Day, our yearly celebration shines a spotlight on the individuals and organizations making significant strides in restoring, enhancing, and protecting our local tree canopy. Each year, we gather to honor these environmental champions who embody our mission and inspire us to dream bigger for the future of urban forestry. As we introduce the 2025 Canopy Awardees, we celebrate their achievements and the vital role trees play in shaping healthier, greener communities.
OUR 2025 canopy award honorees are…
Barbara Shea | Award for Volunteer Service
Barbara Shea has volunteered with Casey Trees for 25 years, including nearly two years before the organization was formally incorporated. She served as the founding president for the first six years and has been on the Casey Trees board ever since. Barbara has witnessed the organization grow from Betty Casey’s proposal to the Garden Club of America into a fledgling startup with only two and a half employees, evolving into the well-respected and impactful nonprofit it is today.
In addition to her work with Casey Trees, Barbara has been a member of the Garden Club of America for over 35 years, where she has held various leadership roles, including vice president. She is also a board member of the Friends of the National Arboretum, serving as its president for four years. Closer to home in the Baltimore area, Barbara has been a board member of the Irvine Nature Center for many years and currently holds emeritus status. Committed to bringing the benefits of trees to Baltimore, she was among the founding board members of the Baltimore Tree Trust.
Dr. David Nowak | Award for Leadership
Dr. David Nowak is an Emeritus Senior Scientist with the USDA Forest Service. His research investigates urban forest structure, health, and change, and its effect on human health and environmental quality. He has authored 400 publications and given over 600 presentations across the world, including contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He also led teams developing the i-Tree software suite that quantifies the benefits and value of trees and other vegetation globally. In a 2020 ranking of over 24,000 forest researchers worldwide, Dr. Nowak ranked number 2. His accolades include the International Union of Forestry Research Organization’s Scientific Achievement Award, the American Forests Urban Forest Medal, and the J. Sterling Morton Award – the Arbor Day Foundation’s highest honor, among many others.
Dr. Nowak’s expertise has been instrumental in developing tools that help cities worldwide quantify the environmental benefits of urban trees, making complex ecological data accessible to policymakers and the public. His work continues to shape our understanding of urban ecosystems and their crucial role in improving the quality of life in our cities.
Joyce Matthews | Award for Education
Joyce Matthews is an educator with over 40 years of service to Fairfax County Public Schools and its local communities. For the past 10 years, she has served as the eXSTREAM (Engaged in Enriched, Enhanced, Experiences with Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) Programs Coordinator at Braddock Elementary School. Joyce actively engages a diverse student body at Braddock ES, a Title I Fairfax County Public School in Annandale, Virginia, which has nearly 1,000 students from 25 countries who speak 32 different languages.
Joyce is dedicated to providing students with hands-on, meaningful, and memorable learning experiences alongside STEAM professionals as part of their science curriculum. Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom; she fosters partnerships with parents, teachers, and local businesses to enhance educational resources. Through educational initiatives and tree-planting programs with Casey Trees and its partners, Joyce has led Braddock ES to plant over 50 trees on the school campus. This initiative has united students, parents, teachers, and the broader community around the beauty and benefits that trees bring to schools and outdoor learning spaces.
Roger Buckner | Award for Sustainability
Roger Buckner has volunteered at Casey Tree Farm since 2011, where he helps with daily operations and sustainability efforts. Born and raised in Berryville, VA, Roger possesses invaluable knowledge of the land and its history. Notably, his grandparents were residents of Casey Tree Farm in the early 1900s, when it was known as Springsbury Farm, before being purchased by the Casey family. Farm staff describe his knowledge and experience as invaluable to their work on the farm.
A self-described wildlife enthusiast, outdoorsman, and nature lover, Roger retired from federal government service and now volunteers as a caretaker at Casey Tree Farm. He works to clear trails of fallen trees, manages pests and invasive species, repairs equipment, secures fencing and gates, and generally keeps an eye on the farm over weekends, holidays, and after hours. The farm would not be nearly as effective without Roger’s dedication to Casey Tree Farm and his commitment to sustainability and the natural world.
