Gothenburg Nurseryman Recognized

GOTHENBURG— Nurseryman Jeff Kennedy of Kennedy Landscape Services in Gothenburg received an award from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum at a reception in Lincoln Dec. 6. The Jim Kluck Honor Award which he received recognizes individuals or organizations who have contributed to statewide landscape efforts. It was given in honor of Kennedy’s efforts as a nurseryman and at the Ehmen Park Arboretum.

Kennedy has been involved in tree-planting and park improvements in Gothenburg since the 1980s. He was one of the first appointees to the Gothenburg Tree Board in 1987.

Kennedy has helped improve and diversify the Ehmen Park Arboretum to include more than 100 trees representing 62 unique species, many of which are unique to the area. The park has also dramatically increased its improvments and outreach through the Gardenaires garden club which has provided tree labels and helped develop an educational brochure, and from the late George Cox, another longtime nurseryman in the community.

Beyond Ehmen Park, Jeff has been instrumental in planting trees and improving green spaces at the Lake Helen recreation area, sports complex, cemetery, schools, street trees and corridor plantings. He’s active in Nebraska’s green industry associations, has served on the Nebraska Community Forestry Council, helped plant the Dawson County Fairgrounds Arboretum in Lexington and provides trees to the Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative.

The award is named after Jim Kluck, a nurseryman from Schuyler who helped people and communities all across the state improve their landscapes.

More information about the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and other awards and projects visit plantnebraska.org.