Donald R. Hodel, environmental horticulture advisor, is the recipient of the 2014 Horticulturist of the Year award from the Southern California Horticultural Society. The distinguished award recognizes his lifetime of contributions to Southern California horticulture, including his applied research projects that helped to improve practices in the selection and management of landscape plants and trees.

Hodel will receive the award on September 13, 2014 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.

"I'm honored to receive this award from the Southern California Horticulture Society. It's nice confirmation and recognition of my body of work in and contribution to the landscape and tree care industry," said Hodel.

Hodel has been with UC Cooperative Extension for more than 30 years and is an international authority in palm horticulture and taxonomy. His research has taken him to places all over the world, including Mexico, Central America, South America, Hawaii and the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia. He has authored and co-authored more than 500 publications about identification, selection and management of plants. He has also authored and co-authored eight books, including Exceptional Trees of Los Angeles.

Hodel earned his master's degree in tropical horticulture from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu and his bachelor's degree in ornamental horticulture from Cal Poly in Pomona.

For more information about Hodel's work and research, click here. For more information about UC Cooperative Extension's environmental horticulture programs, click here.