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Mendota Heights seeks nominations for 2025 Oak Awards; commissioners report none yet
Summary
The Oak Awards program recognizes youth (Acorn), individual/organization stewardship (Leaf) and lifetime achievement (Canopy); nominations are open until Jan. 31, 2026, and staff reported no nominations to date, prompting a commission discussion of outreach strategies.
Manager Krista Spreiter described the Oak Awards program — created by the Natural Resources Commission in 2023 — and outlined three recognition categories: Acorn (youth leadership), Leaf (significant individual, family, company or organization contributions) and Canopy (lifetime achievement).
Spreiter said nominations are being accepted through Jan. 31, 2026, and reported that the commission has not yet received any nominations for the 2025 awards. Commissioners discussed ways to promote the program and suggested possible nominees and outreach methods to encourage public submissions.
The Acorn award is open to individuals or groups 18 years of age and younger or current students in 12th grade or under, and examples include youth-led native plantings or education events. The Leaf award recognizes substantial leadership by an individual, family, company or organization — for example, a neighborhood Adopt‑a‑Drain effort or a community native planting. The Canopy award recognizes lifetime achievement in natural resource stewardship.
Staff did not record a vote or selection at the Jan. 14 meeting; nominations remain open through Jan. 31, 2026.
