Debra Stantic honored by the Iowa Urban Tree Council ...

Debra Stantic, City Clerk for New Albin, received the Outstanding Professional in Urban Forestry award from the Iowa Urban Tree Council during the 32nd Annual Urban Forestry Awards Ceremony held April 12 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Stantic can trace her appreciation of trees to childhood memories of visiting her grandparents in New Albin on weekends. Since moving to New Albin, she has taken that appreciation to enhance her home and revive the city’s landscape. Through grant writing and receiving Trees Forever/Alliant Energy grants, Stantic has planted 75 trees throughout New Albin on her way towards her goal of 100. Her “get it done” attitude and love for nature is inspiring to the citizens of New Albin.

Stantic is pictured in the center of the submitted photo above with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Kayla Lyon (at left) and Iowa DNR Forester Jeff Goerndt (at right). “Debra is an outstanding example of an Iowa professional, by enhancing our forest resources through tree planting,” said Emma Hanigan, Iowa DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator. “Her dedication will benefit the New Albin community for future generations.”