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Marcus Pollard wins state award
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COVINGTON, Ga. - The Georgia Urban Forest Council recently awarded Newton College and Career Academy agriculture instructor, Marcus Pollard with its 2018 Outstanding Education Grand Award. 

The GUFC is a nonprofit organization with the mission of sustaining Georgia’s green legacy by partnering with individuals, organizations and communities in raising awareness toward improving and maintaining Georgia's community forests. The GUFC annual awards program rewards individuals and organizations for outstanding work in protecting and enhancing our community forests. One Grand Award was given to each of the following categories: Development, New Initiative, Civic Organization, Community, Education, Greenspace Plan and Individual Achievement.  Each award recipient received a framed print of the Jekyll Island Plantation Oak from an original pen and ink drawing by artist Barry Nehr, commissioned for GUFC. Pollard received the Outstanding Education Grand Award.

“Marcus Pollard is to be commended for educating students about career opportunities in arboriculture and urban forestry,” Mary Lynne Beckley, executive director of the Georgia Urban Forest Council, said. “In connecting students to this field and to potential career opportunities, Marcus broadens the horizons for many individuals and strengthens the connections between businesses and the community.”

“It’s a primary goal of mine to connect students to industry,” Pollard said. “To get recognized at the state level for the precise reason of connecting our students to the forestry industry is a true honor. I’m thankful for Arbor Equity for the nomination and the many other local businesses that support our kids.” 

The Georgia Urban Forest Council was founded in 1988 by a group of individuals who recognized the need for an organization to address urban forestry issues in Georgia. Today, GUFC brings educational programs, leadership and resources in maintaining healthy trees to our towns and cities around the state. For more information on the Georgia Urban Forest Council and its Awards Program, call 470-210-5900 or visit www.gufc.org.