Executive Director Tony Marino Honored at 2026 Arbor Day Celebration
The Rockfall Foundation is proud to recognize our Executive Director, Tony Marino, for being honored at the 2026 Arbor Day celebration for his lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship and leadership in our community.
Arbor Day Celebration at Wadsworth Mansion
On Friday, April 24, 2026, the Middletown Urban Forestry Commission, city officials, and community members gathered at the Wadsworth Mansion to celebrate Arbor Day and recognize individuals who have made contributions to environmental stewardship in the Middletown community.
This year’s celebration held special significance for the Rockfall Foundation, as our Executive Director, Tony Marino, was honored for his lifelong dedication to environmental conservation and his decades of leadership with our organization. For more than 30 years, Tony has been the driving force behind Rockfall’s mission to preserve and enhance the natural resources and environmental health of the Lower Connecticut River Valley.
Recognition from City Leadership and the Urban Forestry Commission
Mayor Gene Nocera delivered the Arbor Day proclamation, in which he recognized not only the importance of trees to the health and vitality of the community, but also the individuals and organizations that make Middletown’s urban forestry efforts so impactful. During the ceremony, Urban Forestry Commission Chair Steve Cronkite presented awards to three honorees: In Memory of Guy Russo, former Director of Middletown’s Water and Sewer Department; Krishna Winston, community environmental advocate and Wesleyan professor emerita; and Tony Marino, Executive Director of The Rockfall Foundation.
As part of Tony’s recognition, disease-resistant American Elm trees will be planted in his honor at the deKoven House Community Center, reflecting both Tony’s enduring impact and the spirit of Arbor Day. Several members of the Rockfall Foundation Board of Directors were in attendance to support Tony and celebrate this recognition.
What It Means to Be a “Tree City USA”
The event also celebrated an important recognition for the city itself: Middletown was named a “Tree City USA” for the 36th consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Communities that meet four standards of urban forestry management receive this award:
- Maintaining a tree board or department
- Having a community tree ordinance
- A budgeted community tree care program
- Celebrating Arbor Day annually
This continued recognition highlights Middletown’s commitment to protecting and enhancing its urban forest—an effort that aligns with Rockfall’s mission.
Arbor Day serves as a powerful reminder that the work of environmental stewardship is both collective and enduring. We are honored to be part of that effort in Middletown and the entire Lower Connecticut River Valley.
