By Anne W. Semmes
Last Thursday afternoon, the major tree supporters of the Town of Greenwich gathered in front of Town Hall to pay homage to Cheryl Dunson, retiring president of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy (GTC). Standing beneath the branches of a pin oak tree planted on the front lawn the year the Tree Conservancy was founded 15 years ago, First Selectman Fred Camillo read his “Certificate of Special Recognition” to Dunson, citing “her dedication to and advocacy for the Greenwich Tree Conservancy which she helped co-found in January 2007, and served as vice president and president during her 15-year tenure.”
Recognizing some of the initial players standing before her, Dunson addressed them, “I am so very proud of our successful public/private partnership, which started first under then First Selectman Jim Lash and the Tree Warden Bruce Spaman and continues today through First Selectman Fred Camillo and Dr. Gregory Kramer.”
“We’ve accomplished so much in 15 years that I could not have envisioned,” she continued, “Over 5000 trees have been planted, including our four Gratitude Groves in honor of frontline workers during pandemic, and we’ve been internationally accredited with our Town Arboretum, our many programs like Parking Parks, Park Walks, Awesome Tree contest, our Treasured Trees program… so many things that we’ve been able to do successfully because of our collaboration.”
JoAnn Messina, GTC executive director, who introduced Dunson, spoke of the Conservancy initiating its wish for a proclamation to honor Dunson. “So, most of you know,” she added, “This is our original pin oak. This is the first tree that Tree Conservancy ever planted. And we thought this was the appropriate place to have Fred proclaim Cheryl a wonderful person!”
Succeeding Dunson as president will be board member Urling Searle. Dunson departs with a belief she shared, “that in order for organizations to continue to thrive, new leaders with new ideas are needed. While I helped found and grow the organization, being able to leave GTC in the good hands of such an accomplished and dedicated leader as Urling is another thing of which I am proud.”
But Dunson will carry on as cochair of the Conservancy’s Advisory Board.
