The Hutchinson Utilities Commission has received an Outstanding Partnership award from the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee.

The April 24 presentation took place at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen. Utilities’ General Manager Michael Kumm and conservation coordinator Jon Guthmiller accepted the award from the MnSTAC President Ken Simons.

Hutchinson Utilities has helped to fund tree planting on both private and public property for 14 years. This relationship with the city of Hutchinson has resulted in more than 7,800 trees being planted strategically to save energy in Hutchinson since 1993.

Hutchinson Utilities and the city of Hutchinson were honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation for achieving Tree Line USA and Tree City status, respectively, for 2007.

It is the first time Hutchinson Utilities have received the Tree Line USA award. It earned it by increasing its workers knowledge of tree care near power lines.

Also present to accept the awards were Mayor Steve Cook, city forester Mark Schnobrich and Newt Potter, a member of the Hutchinson Tree Board.

For more, read the May 1 Leader.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)