Richard Hauer and Ryan Glipin – ISA’s Best Management Practices for Construction Near Trees

Many communities are asking for more trees to be preserved on construction sites connecting arborists with design and construction teams. The International Society of Arboriculture has updated the Best Management Practices regarding trees and construction. This presentation will review the Best Management Practices and the important changes in the new version. The authors will discuss the science behind the recommendations and their experiences that have been successful when consulting on construction projects.

Speaker Bio: Richard Hauer is the Director of Urban Forestry at CNUC and a Professor of Urban Forestry at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He was honored as the 2018 L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research. He has published over 190 publications and presented over 480 talks throughout the world. Ryan Glipin is the Principal Consultant at Nidus Consulting in Portland, Oregon. Ryan’s background was in ecology with degrees in Environmental Biology and International Nature Conservation. Ryan is co-author of two Best Management Practices: Tree Care for Bird’s Wildlife BMPs with Western Chapter Appendix and ISA’s Managing Tree During Construction BMPs.

Webinar Date: Tuesday January 3rd, 2023

Paul Johnson – Road Map To A More Sustainable Future – Introduction to the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard

This presentation will quickly set the stage for the evolution of urban and community forestry and the synergy of bringing SFI into the sector. We’re actively blurring the lines between urban forests and traditional forests. Our trees, air, water, and associate macro and micro flora and fauna don’t recognize political boundaries. Forest certification has helped us increase sustainability and marketability of our forests and we’re bringing similar tools to urban and community forests.

The trees and forests where we live, work, learn, and play are vital for our health, climate adaptation, economy, and sustainability through their many benefits. SFI is working with Arbor Day Foundation, American Forests, International Society of Arboriculture, Society of Municipal Foresters, and Trees Canada to develop the SFI Urban and Community Forests Sustainability Standard and the resulting certification program to further drive the evolution and recognition of our urban forestry programs across the US, Canada, and beyond. Municipalities and counties will be able to work to this sector-developed standard and receive recognition through the third-party verified certification.

Join us to learn how we are addressing issues like human health, equity, climate change, and biodiversity while ensuring organizations utilize science, research, and technology.

Speaker Bio: Paul Johnson is the Senior Director of Urban and Community Forestry for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Paul is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Municipal Specialist, and is Tree Risk Assessment Qualified and is a SAF Certified Forester. Paul believes that #TreesAreKey to healthier, happier, safer communities.

Webinar Date: Tuesday November 1st, 2022

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Katriina Kilpi and Tine De Kezel – City of Trees – How trees in the city make our lives better and healthier

The Clearing House project addresses a global challenge that unites European and Chinese cities in their quest to develop more resilient cities and liveable societies to improve human wellbeing. Our main focus is on tree-based green infrastructure which is the basis for “urban forests as nature-based solutions”. As part of this project’s citizen engagement activities, the City of Trees Inspirational Package for educators and students has been put together to bring inspiration to the classroom. Understanding the vast differences between European school systems, resources availabilities, not to mention the differences between cultures, schools, school cultures and cities in Europe and China, the City of Trees package has been created with these challenges in mind. In this workshop, Katriina Kilpi and Tine De Kezel from BOS+ introduce the results of the survey they ran in Barcelonian schools to better answer to the needs of the teachers, the City of Trees inspirational package itself, and walk the audience through the reasoning behind their approach as well as the how the lessons are put together.

Speaker Bio: Katriina Kilpi works at the forest advocacy organization BOS+ in the Belgium where she deals with projects around nature, health and nature connection. Tine De Kezel is also employed by BOS+ and her projects involve education and outreach activities.

Webinar Date: Tuesday October 4th, 2022

Tyler Doucet – NGO and Municipality Collaboration in Urban Forestry Programming Across Canada

In the Canadian context, urban forests have historically been managed by government through a closed process. This isolated process obstructs transparency and accountability in municipal decision-making. In response, there has been a shift in the delivery of urban-forest governance and management where a wider palette of actors and collaborations are involved in the decision-making process. This shift towards decentralized decision-making is characterized by the inclusion of the public and grassroot organizations. Collaborations and interactions between nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and municipal governments are significantly under-researched and overlooked. These public-civic collaborations allow actors to leverage resources and knowledge beyond their immediate community. Additionally, NGOs can further local political agendas because of a broader stakeholder base, thereby legitimizing urban greening policy and initiatives. Despite their significance, the long-term and broad-scale nature of many forestry programs impedes on the characterization of urban-forest governance partnerships. As a result, Canada lacks any robust analysis of NGOs’ roles in this domain. Doucet will present his preliminary results from semi-structured interviews with individuals affiliated with urban-forest NGOs, municipal government officials working in an urban-forest department, and topic experts who have observed these two groups interact. The objectives of this study are as follows: firstly, it will determine the role NGOs play in urban-forest management and policymaking.  Further, it aims to elucidate the structure and function of civic-public collaborations with varying degrees of NGO participation. Lastly, it serves to uncover opportunities, risks, and challenges associated with these interactions.

Speaker Bio: Tyler holds a Bachelor of Urban Forestry from the University of British Columbia where he developed an interest in urban forest resilience, municipal forest management, and environmental governance. He is further exploring these topics in the Master of Environmental Studies program at Dalhousie University.

Webinar Date: Tuesday August 2nd, 2022

Susan Poizner – Growing Fruit Trees Fast

It can take years before you get a decent harvest from a newly planted fruit tree. But in this talk, Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care training website OrchardPeople.com talks about the tips she has learned to grow health and productive fruit trees. She will talk about the importance of choosing the right cultivar, pruning correctly, fertilizing properly and preventing pests and diseases.

Speaker Bio: Susan Poizner is an urban orchardist in Toronto, Canada and the author of the award-winning fruit tree care book Growing Urban Orchards. She is an instructor of Fruit Production at Niagara College in Ontario and the creator of the award-winning online fruit tree care training program at www.orchardpeople.com . Susan is also the host of The Urban Forestry Radio Show and Podcast and an ISA Certified Arborist.

Webinar Date: Tuesday July 5th, 2022

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Rick Harper, Clarisse Hart, Eric Griffith and Jay Dampier – Woodbanks, Fuel Poverty & Urban Forestry: Exploring the Relationship

In recent decades, community wood banks have arisen to provide free firewood to fuel-poor households, as means of offsetting heating costs. This presentation will outline the findings of a recent study that has documented the existence of woodbanks in the U.S. and Canada, and will also explore the potential for collaborations between municipal and private arboriculture/urban forestry operations that often generate “waste-wood” through routine activities that include pruning & tree removals.

Webinar Date: Tuesday June 7th, 2022

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Camilo Ordónez Barona – Public perception of urban forests in the Greater Toronto Area

Successful urban forest management must balance a range of goals, including addressing communities’ needs and expectations, while managing for a resilient urban forest. Recent research suggests that a diversity of urban forest perceptions – including values, beliefs, and attitudes – are held by urban populations across Canada. However, we still do not understand how these perceptions are associated with each other (i.e., how specific value orientations and beliefs lead to specific attitudes), and how these are in turn associated with diverse community identities, urban contexts, and exposure to urban trees (e.g., tree canopy cover). I will present results from a panel survey that was systematically delivered in the Greater Toronto Area and that aimed to capture the range of urban forest values, beliefs, and selected attitudes across cities and populations. I discuss the specific perceptions – such as value orientations, positive or negative beliefs, trust in public institutions, among others – that lead people to have a specific level of satisfaction with the current urban forest. I also discuss strategies to manage urban forests that can build-on the diversity of perceptions held by a community and increase urban forest resilience.

Speaker Bio: Camilo Ordónez Barona’s work relates to the social and ecological aspects of urban nature and how people and nature influence each other, with a focus on urban forests and trees. Camilo helps cities become more resilient and livable through the management of urban forests. Originally from Cali, Colombia, he has worked in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Australia.

Webinar Date: Tuesday May 3rd, 2022

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Lam Tran – Greening Toronto Community Housing: A Project to Advance Tree Equity

Trees in a city make life more liveable by providing a multitude of benefits and services to residents. These include, but are not limited to, shading homes, blocking noise and improving physical and mental health. Unfortunately, the distribution of trees, and by extension their benefits, are not equitable within cities, with low-income communities often having fewer trees and lower canopy cover. The City of Toronto is no exception to this phenomenon. Recognizing this discrepancy, the local non-profit organization LEAF is working with low-income housing provider Toronto Community Housing (TCH) to improve its local canopy cover through the TCH Planting and Stewardship Initiative. Central to the project is the engagement of TCH staff and tenants throughout each step of the process, from selection to planting and care. Learn about how the project has changed since its inception, takeaways over the years, and how the project will continue to grow in the future.

Speaker Bio: Lam has been active in urban forestry since 2016. As the Education Coordinator at LEAF, a non-profit focused on growing and sustaining the urban forest in Toronto, Lam oversees educational programming such as presentations, workshops, training, youth mentorship, and helps deliver the TCH Planting and Stewardship Initiative.

Webinar Date: Tuesday April 5th, 2022

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Sophie Nitoslawski – Digital and emerging technologies in urban forestry: Challenges, opportunities, and possible pathways

There is growing interest in the use of digital technologies in urban forest management. Based on a literature scan and a pilot project on the University of British Columbia (UBC) campus, I present findings on current and emerging uses for various technologies in arboriculture and urban forestry, and highlight opportunities and implications for managers and practitioners.  This presentation complements one being given for the 2022 ISAO Conference & Trade Show, and will be of interest to practitioners interested in more novel datasets and tools for understanding our urban forests.

Speaker bio: Sophie Nitoslawski is a PhD Candidate in urban forestry at the University of British Columbia, researching role(s) for emerging technologies in urban forest management.

Webinar Date: Tuesday March 1st, 2022

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Nick Mantegna and Finn Koepf – Structural and Functional Connectivity of Urban Greenspaces

Residential land represents a substantial portion of overall land use, with residential trees providing numerous ecosystem services. Residential development, however, represents a major threat to existing trees, inspiring municipalities to introduce tree ordinances that protect urban trees on public and/or private properties. Recent studies have found that tree ordinances can increase urban canopy cover (Hilbert et al., 2019), protect street trees (Hauer et al., 2020), and preserve mature trees and their critical root zones during residential redevelopment (Pike et al., 2021).

This research took place in a city with a tree preservation ordinance that protects trees on private, residential properties. To better understand the knowledge, perceptions, and practices of homeowners regarding the trees and natural areas on their property, two groups of homeowners were surveyed: 1) those who own homes that were built within the last two decades and 2) those who own homes that were built during the middle of the last century and have not had any major renovations since. These groups represent the homeowners who were a part of a previous study where a comprehensive tree preservation ordinance was evaluated (Pike et al., 2021; to be discussed). Striking similarities and differences between these two groups will be explored.

Speaker Bio: Kaitlyn is a Ph.D. student exploring urban forest governance and green equity at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Kaitlyn’s research interests revolve around people’s values and perceptions of green spaces and how to best protect, manage, and advocate for trees in an increasingly urbanized world.

Webinar Date: Tuesday January 4, 2022

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Miranda Burton – Canopy for Community

Toso Bozic – Small town urban forestry challenges: Why should we care?

Urban centers have generally seen steady support for trees and forest management: long term tree care, maintenance and tree planting programs with well-defined policies and funding help support their activities and practices. Urban centers also have dedicated employees to carry on tree and forestry activities. In contrast, small rural towns and summer villages have not developed robust tree care, maintenance, or planting programs. In the small rural communities of Alberta we often find unhealthy trees with low tree diversity. Many rural communities do not see trees within their community as an ASSET nor do they include potential benefits in economic and developmental planning. The concept of “Green Infrastructure” is little known in these rural communities and a lack of resources (financial and human) is a major challenge.

Speaker Bio: Toso Bozic is a founder of ATTS Group Inc. and Yard Whispers consultancy business with 26 years’ experience in every aspect of trees and forestry.   Toso graduated from the University of Belgrade and holds a degree in Forest Engineering. Toso is also a member of Professional Agrologists, an ISA Certified Arborist and holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Toso has extensive communication experience with over 2,700 public speaking events, multiple TV and radio interviews and is also an author of over 300 articles, guides, fact sheets, and technical materials.

Webinar Date: Tuesday October 5th, 2021

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott – Arboriculture Zombies: Myths That Will Not Die!

Certified arborists want the latest plant and soil science information to pass on to their clients, but how to tell what’s science – and what’s pseudoscience? Landscape professionals can quickly lose their credibility (and business) when they end up promoting products and practices that aren’t based on reputable science. This seminar will focus on landscape tree care and provide arborists with some guidelines for evaluating articles, books, and electronic resources objectively. For each of the myths busted, we will also discuss alternatives that are both practical and scientifically grounded. This information is guaranteed to be of interest to arborists everywhere.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott is a Professor of Urban Horticulture at Washington State University and an ISA certified arborist. She is an award-winning author of scientific and popular publications and hosts online, science-based forums. Linda’s contributions to arborists have been recognized by both the WCISA and the ISA.

Webinar Date: Tuesday September 7th, 2021

Lindsey Purcell – Ethical Arboriculture

Arboriculture has evolved into an applied science over many years and basic principles have forged the way for our industry and continue to influence practice and philosophy. Learn how we can build an ethical practice based on the tenets of the medical profession and create a sustainable environment for our business, employees and customers.

Speaker Bio: Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist and Instructor in the Forestry and Natural Resources Department at Purdue University, has been involved in the community landscape and urban forestry industry for over 35 years.  As an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, he has served communities around the U.S. as a landscape and tree professional in state, municipal and private enterprise.  His educational background includes an Associate of Science degree from Vincennes University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University and a master’s degree from Indiana State University.  Lindsey serves as Executive Director of the Indiana Arborist Association in addition to acting as lead extension administrator for Purdue.  Lindsey is an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist and holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification as a certified instructor by the International Society of Arboriculture.

Webinar Date: Tuesday August 17th, 2021

Rosa Gutierrez – ISA Code of Ethics

Are you familiar with the ISA Code of Ethics that holds you professionally accountable as a credential holder? How effective is enforcement of the professional conduct standards at curbing poor practices? Rosa Gutierrez, ISA’s Compliance Services Manager, will dive into the ISA Certified Arborist® Code of Ethics. Our discussion will explore the Code of Ethics, ethics case procedures and the trademark policy. The ISA Certified Arborist® credential is held by approximately 35,498 arborists worldwide. This credential has become a pre-requisite to obtain employment and has become embedded in bylaws and tree codes. Employers and industry professionals advocate for this certification because credential holders have competent skills and knowledge in proper tree care. ISA Certified Arborists® are also held to a higher standard because they must abide by the ISA Certified Arborist® Code of Ethics and ethical behavior requirements. This holds Certified Arborists accountable and reduces unprofessional conduct and poor practices.

Speaker Bio: Rosa Gutierrez is the Compliance Services Manager for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). She has been with ISA since 2018 supporting the ISA Ethics Program. The ISA Ethics Program covers appeals, ethics and trademark cases. ISA’s ethics and trademark policies not only enhance the value of ISA’s credentials but also benefit the reputations of credential holders who have made an effort to become certified. Rosa also collaborates with other ISA departments, such as the Credentialing Services Department to ensure ANSI accreditation and the Educational Products and Services Department, supporting the Z133 Safety Standard committee.

Webinar Date: Tuesday July 20th, 2021

Click here to watch it again on the Canadian TREE Fund Channel

Dustin Bajer – Alberta Tree Register

Andrew Almas – Native and non-native tree species in Ontario: Benefits and detriments to non-native diversity

As more of the world’s finite land area is used for urban development and agriculture, urban forests are increasingly becoming important areas for producing ecosystem services and maintaining ecosystem processes. Municipalities throughout North America have been adopting urban forest management plans (UFMPs) to manage the numerous benefits provided by the urban forest. These long-term plans have the potential to shape the urban forest for decades to come. Most management plans emphasize the planting of native trees, to improve ecological integrity and ecosystem services, and acknowledge the need for resident participation to help meet urban forestry goals.  Residents’ support and action is crucial, since the majority of urban trees are located on residential property, yet it is unclear what residents’ attitudes and actions are regarding native trees. Using a case study of four southern Ontario municipalities (two that have UFMPs that call for more native species plantings and two that do not) we administered a survey exploring residents’ attitudes and actions towards native tree species, focusing on the relationship between municipal emphasis on native species planting, household socio-demographics and residents’ attitudes and actions towards native species. Our results indicate that residents’ generally have positive attitudes towards native trees, although fewer are interested in planting native species if they create a hazard or increase costs.  Moreover, these general positive attitudes do not translate into emphasizing native species when actually selecting tree species to plant. This work adds to existing research surrounding native species management in urban ecosystems, and understandings about nuanced ways in which urban forestry policy may influence residents.

Speaker Bio: Andrew Almas is an Assistant Professor of Teaching at UBC in the Urban Forestry Program. His experience includes both professional urban forestry practice as well as academic and educational leadership pursuits in Ontario and British Columbia. His research focuses on the nature and use of native species in urban areas.

Webinar Date: Tuesday June 15th, 2021

We are living in a time of dramatic challenges and changes. The climate urgency, threats to public health (including the current pandemic), and biodiversity loss are all impacting people and the places where they live. This talk places urban forestry in a broad perspective, showing how there is an increasing awareness of the crucial role of trees and other vegetation in cities. With large-scale tree planting funded by international organizations, governments, businesses, and not-for profits, there is an urgent need for developing sustainable and long-term management of expanding urban forest resources. Planting trees is great, but good stewardship is even better. Using examples from across the globe, the presentation gives hands-on examples of the changing reality of urban forestry – and ways to capitalize on it. It also discussed the changing role of urban forestry professionals.

Speaker Bio: Cecil Konijnendijk is a Director of the Nature Based Solutions Institute and Program Director of the Master of Urban Forestry Leadership at UBC in Vancouver. He has advised cities, national governments, and organizations in over 30 countries on the development and implementation of urban forestry visions and strategies.

Webinar Date: Tuesday June 1st, 2021