ACC Community Tree Council - Friends of Trees 2006

Welcome to the Athens-Clarke County Community Tree Council!

Beginning in 1997 the Urban Tree Advisory Committee, followed by the Community Tree Council, has presented the Friend of Trees Award to persons or organizations that exemplify good stewardship of trees in Athens-Clarke County. Selection of recipients is based on the use and/or preservation of trees in unique ways that enhance property aesthetics and/or demonstrate protection and concern for the environment. Since 1997, 34 awards have been presented.
The Community Tree Council is pleased to present the 2006 Friend of Trees Award to Rex Gonnsen.

Building with Nature

One of the earliest developments Rex was involved with is Snapfinger Woods located off Barnett Shoals Road in eastern Clarke County. This subdivision of modest homes is developed on wooded, rolling topography. Rather than strip the land of trees and alter the topography with grading; the homes were adapted to fit the site. This concept, adapt the house to fit the site, continues to be promoted by Rex.

He is a strong advocate for the use of native tree and plant species wherever possible. An ideal demonstration of this philosophy is his landscape plan for the BP gas and convenience store located on Barnett Shoals Road.
Here he created a roadside buffer using native trees and shrubs. He has demonstrated that one does not have to completely see the building to understand what is behind the sign.

Innovative Solutions
Plans for developing the Villas at Five Points in the late 1990 were met with public resistance when it was learned that removal of some large oak trees was necessary in order to construct the planned 15 condominiums. Rex met the challenge to provide a post construction architectural plan which included trees to replace those lost to construction.	The crown jewel of the architectural plan is the unique retention pond incorporated along the entry drive to the Villas. This retention pond is defined by rocks and shrubs along its length. It is arguably the most unique and environmentally attractive retention pond in Athens-Clarke County!

Community Activist

Our awardee is more than just a practicing landscape architect. He is also a community volunteer-leader.
The Urban Tree Advisory Committee, better know as UTAC, is the County tree advocacy organization that was the forerunner to our present Community Tree Council established in 2000. Rex was a member of UTAC during the early 1990's.
The Greenway Commission provides oversight, management and development for the 3.5 mile Oconee Rivers Greenway. This trail provides an opportunity for individuals to experience nature in a variety of ways by linking parks, neighborhoods, points of interest and activity centers. Rex was a member of the Greenway Commission and acted as the chairman during the period of 1996 to 1998. No doubt UTAC and the Greenway Commission both profited these years from Rex's participation and leadership.
As a tree advocate he participated in the public forum phases during development of the Athens-Clarke County tree management ordinance. As a landscape architect, Rex has worked constantly to educate his clients toward maintaining a greener environment. He has challenged publicly, and within his profession, against the increasing trend of total land clearing for site development. He petitioned the ACC Planning Commission, Mayor and Commissioners to address the way we do development in Athens-Clarke County. Specifically he advocated that proper site planning is an essential first step in development. Lacking that has produced sites that are bulldozed, mass graded, and then left as a blank slate of buildings. The end result being that we lose all trees, topsoil and the associated animals in the process. Rex maintains that this trend is depleting our tree canopy at an unnecessary scale.
It is apparent that this year's award recipient has been involved and participated over the years in positive ways as a vocal advocate and practicing landscape architect in Athens-Clarke County. As such he is deserving of the Friend of Trees Award:
Rex Gonnsen, landscape architect; volunteer-leader and tree advocate.

Congratulations Rex Gonnsen; recipient of the 2006 Friend of Trees Award.

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