April 1, 2019
Arborist group recognizes Tony DiGiovanni with award
Tony DiGiovanni, Landscape Ontario Executive Director, was presented with the Honourary Life Associate Award (formerly Life Member Award) from the International Society of Arboriculture Ontario (ISAO) on Feb. 21, 2019.

DiGiovanni received the award at the ISAO’s 70th annual Educational Conference and Tradeshow, held Feb. 20-22 in Windsor, Ont. The award is given to individuals in recognition of many years of hard work and dedication to promote and advance the ideas of arboriculture and urban forestry within Ontario.

At the event, ISAO’s Arthur Beauregard (pictured at right with DiGiovanni above), Chair Governance and Policy and Procedure Committee, provided a breakdown of Landscape Ontario initiatives led by DiGiovanni, including trade shows, seminars and magazine.

In addition to his role at Landscape Ontario, DiGiovanni was also recognized for his role as Executive Director of the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation — a charitable entity which has distributed over $250,000 in scholarships and millions of dollar worth of research support since its inception. DiGiovanni’s involvement and leadership in Canada Blooms, the Integrated Pest Management Council and Highway of Heroes Living Tribute campaign were also cited.

“I have known Tony for decades and worked with him often,” Beauregard told the crowd leading up to the award presentation. “Over the years, I have observed that Tony’s defining skill and contribution is his ability to bring people together in common cause for community, business and environmental benefit. He walks the walk, setting a superb example of congeniality, understanding and teamwork.”

Beauregard gave a concrete example: “At a time when the ISAO was going through challenging times in the mid-2000’s, Tony made available resources through Landscape Ontario to ease the way. The ISAO’s partnership with LO continues to this day. Because of this partnership the members of ISAO enjoy a very advantageous membership benefits program; the value of expert staff shared by LO with ISAO; special access to Canada’s largest horticultural trade show — among many other benefits.

“Tony has a passion for growing a prosperous, professional, ethical, recognized and valued horticultural industry. He has extended his passion to ISAO as well as a great number of other groups and organizations.

“The ISAO continues to benefit from a good working relationship with undoubtedly the most effective, if most humble, leader of horticulture and all things environmental in Ontario, if not Canada.”