SCOTTSBLUFF, Nebraska -- Todd Filipi, Resource Conservation Coordinator for the North Platte Natural Resources District, recently received the Nebraska State Foresters Award, presented by John Erixson, Nebraska State Forester. 

The Nebraska State Foresters Award is given to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to and positively affected Nebraska's tree and forest resources. The State Foresters Award has been presented to deserving people and organizations in Nebraska for the past 40 years. Past recipients include NRDs, journalists, landowners, tree planters, and government officials.

Each year, the awards committee receives nominations from across Nebraska. He was recognized for his lifelong contributions to Nebraska forests and his commitment to conservation.

Todd is a long-term friend of Nebraska trees and forests; he strongly supports Nebraska forests and natural resources, and his enthusiasm inspires many others to plant and care for many thousands of trees. He is a great supporter of Nebraska Forest Service programming. One of the many programs is the Trees for Nebraska's Towns, a tree planting program for smaller communities. He has supported this effort for over eight years by delivering hundreds of trees to our communities and facilitating proper tree planting demonstrations.

Chrissy Land, Western Community Forester, wrote: "With any community forestry project in Todd's district, he is a reliable collaborator. Todd is always interested in piloting potential programs and works to sort out operational details. Todd is passionate about what he does, he is a reliable collaborator, and he is building a legacy."

Todd has planted over one million trees in the 11 years he’s been with the NRD. He has spent countless hours applying for and coordinating grants and projects such as the Gering High School Senior’s Reforestation Planting in the burn scar. He is dedicated to assisting landowners impacted by the recent fires and will be collaborating with more to bring funding and planting projects to the Wild Cat Hills’ rocky butte landscape.

Todd promotes different aspects of conservation through water quality monitoring, projects with NET funding and Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Fund, controlled burns as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss and facing the challenges of growing the future of tree resources in Nebraska.

Todd has truly influenced countless Nebraskans on tree issues and has promoted good forestry in our state. For this, we thank you and would like to recognize you for your support and contribution to Nebraska's trees and forests.