The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is accepting nominations for the annual Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Award, given in recognition of conservation work in environmental justice communities in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection considers any census block group where 20% or more individuals live in poverty or 30% or more of the population identifies as a minority to be in an environmental justice area.

The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, coordinated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, welcomes nominations of anyone in Pennsylvania who has shown exemplary leadership in his or her community through environmental restoration, awareness, education or conservation work. This work includes community tree plantings, rain garden or native pollinator garden installation or plantings, regenerative agriculture or urban farming or permaculture, or community beautification in an environmental justice community.

Nominees are ranked on their community engagement, collaboration and environmental conservation work with environmental justice communities in support of planting 10 million trees in Pennsylvania. Nominees are given credit for using science, research, innovative and creative approaches to conservation. A volunteer committee of environmental leaders, past Dock Award winners, and others will determine the winners.

To submit a nomination, visit https://tenmilliontrees.org/contact/mld/. Forms are also available by emailing keystonetrees@cbf.org or calling 717-200-4543. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Sept. 29. The award winners will receive $5,000 worth of native trees and supplies from the partnership, to be used for a 2024 tree project.

Now in its fourth year, the award was created to honor the spirit of Mira Lloyd Dock, who pursued urban beautification and forest conservation at a time when women and people of color were not welcomed at the decision-making table.

Dock is recognized as the first Pennsylvania woman to lead the way in forest conservation. She was an advocate for Penn's Woods and in 1901 was appointed to the State Forestry Reservation Commission by Pennsylvania Gov. William Stone.

The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership will present the award during the Pennsylvania Forestry Association's annual symposium on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College.

To learn more about the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, visit http://www.TenMillionTrees.org.