Algonquin official picked to lead state arborist group

The Illinois Arborist Association has tapped Algonquin’s parks and forestry superintendent to help lead the nonprofit organization that teaches its members about proper tree care.

Steve Ludwig, an Algonquin employee since 1995, was named president elect during the organization’s annual conference last week in Tinley Park. Ludwig, an Algonquin resident, has been involved with the organization for about a dozen years in varying positions. He has been certification liaison between the organization and the International Society of Arboriculture, its certification liaison chair, its municipal director and was elected vice president last year.

President elect is a level above vice president, but a rung just below president.

“Hopefully I’ll be elected president, but I need to do some good work,” Ludwig said, adding that these are all volunteer positions. “It’s really just a great way of giving back to an organization that has done so much for me and my career. I just hope my work fosters the careers of other people.”

As president elect, Ludwig looks forward to helping people within the organization gain more education and knowledge to become “the best caregivers of trees nationwide,” he said.

Algonquin Village President John Schmitt said Ludwig’s appointment is a credit to the entire Algonquin organization.

The Arbor Day Foundation has named Algonquin a Tree City USA community the last 17 years. Village officials have also spoken to other municipalities, including the Illinois Department of Resources, about Ludwig’s techniques for battling the emerald ash borer.

“Steve has been in his position for over 15 years and the quality of the public spaces and the forests throughout the entire village show the level of expertise,” Schmitt said. “We have helped other communities throughout the state (fight the emerald ash borer) by providing the process that Steve followed in identifying and replacing the trees on a regular basis as they become infected. All of these things have contributed to making Algonquin one of the nicest places to live in the entire state.”

Ludwig’s term is up in a year.