MONACA, Pa. — Reforest Our Future has received the 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for their Forest Exploration Center and Native Tree Nursery and their work growing native plants, restoring habitat and educating the community in Beaver County.
The award recognizes the center’s inaugural-year efforts to grow native plants from seed, plant them across the county and share environmental education through public programs.
The work of Autumn Sabo, associate professor of biology at Penn State Beaver, and the Penn State Beaver student scientists, whose planting and observation efforts at 11 forest patches in Beaver County — including patches on campus, at Bradys Run Park and Rochester High School — was part of the project recognized by the state.
“We are so incredibly honored so receive this recognition. Our award was given based on the Forest Exploration Center’s work and mission in our inaugural year … growing native plants from seed, planting them across Beaver County, learning and sharing with all of you at our educational programs,” a social media post by Reforest Our Future said. “This award makes it feel like we are truly moving towards a better world and a reforested future.”
The Beaver County Recreation and Tourism office, which oversees and promotes the county parks like Bradys Run, also was credited as a key partner in helping establish the Forest Exploration Center.