RHINELANDER’S JEROW AWARDED WISCONSIN URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council has announced its annual awards recognizing individuals and organizations working to protect and expand tree canopies in communities across the state.

The council says the awards are designed to spotlight leaders whose efforts often go unnoticed but play a key role in strengthening and sustaining Wisconsin’s urban forests.

Five winners were honored this year in four categories, with recipients announced at the 2026 Wisconsin Arborist Association–DNR Urban Forestry Conference. Among them was Rhinelander’s Tom Jerow receiving the Leadership Award. Jerow, an unpaid volunteer, served for several years as Rhinelander’s City Forester, and was recognized for his significant contributions to local urban forestry. He helped establish and chair the city’s Urban Forestry Tree Board and secured more than $300,000 in grants and donations. Jerow also launched a cost-sharing program for private tree plantings and led numerous education and outreach efforts.