Landscape architect and arborist Christopher Dacus of the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation will be honored with a Presidential Award by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials next month.

Dacus’ Statewide Noxious Invasive Pest Program, or SNIPP, was established to combat invasive plants and animals along highway rights-of-way. The program has slashed the cost of removing invasive species by 80 percent since its implementation.

The organization’s President’s Transportation Awards recognize individuals, programs, or teams, for improving environmental conditions, utilizing technology, implementing excellent executive management skills, increasing efficiencies, and making effective use of taxpayer dollars.

His award is one of 14 that will be presented by the organization at its annual meeting in Pittsburgh Nov. 15 to 19.