The Indiana Urban Forest Council has named Valparaiso resident Jim Beversdorf Outstanding Tree Steward for Indiana. He was presented with the award at the Council’s recent annual conference in Indianapolis. Beversdorf spent many years as a timber farmer in Wisconsin before moving to Indiana. He attended Tree Steward training in 2010, sponsored by the City of Valparaiso.
Over the past three years, Beversdorf has volunteered his expertise to the city, serving on the city’s Tree Advisory Committee and initiating the city’s Neighbors Against Bad Bugs tree tagging efforts to raise awareness about emerald ash borer. He coordinated a dozen volunteers in tagging the city’s entire inventory of ash trees located on city right-of-way property – more than 600 trees in total. He alsovolunteers his time in inspecting hundreds of recently planted city trees, as well as educating others in information booths at the county fair and local garden shows.
Beversdorf’s efforts will benefit the community for decades as he also recently planted 65 oak trees around the perimeter of Immanuel Lutheran Church on the city’s east side. “We’re grateful to Jim for his time and talent in caring for our city’s urban forest. We thank him for his contribution to our community and congratulate him on this well deserved state recognition,” said Mayor Jon Costas.