ARIZONA COMMUNITY TREE COUNCIL, INC.
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GENERAL SESSION |
8:15 AM - 9:15 AM General Session
Map to Manage: GIS Software for Field Data Collection and Tree Management | Rocky Yosek, PlanIT Geo
Imagine if a cargo ship arrived at port and none of the thousands of shipping containers contained any information about what’s in them or where that container is located within the stacks on the ship. Chaos would ensue, packages wouldn’t get delivered on time, and revenue would be lost as the shipping company reactively untangled the mess. This is essentially how most of our urban forests are being managed today: no knowledge of what’s there beyond what’s visible on the surface and no knowledge of where things are located within the greater urban forest. Chaos ensues, trees aren’t managed properly, and revenue is lost.
This presentation will delve into the importance of tree inventories, the challenges of maintaining and monitoring tree populations, and show how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software can improve your Urban Forestry program. Utilizing GIS technology for tree inventories presents a powerful symbiosis that enables real-time visualization and spatial analysis of tree data. This type of software can facilitate the identification of areas with specific tree-related needs, such as addressing canopy gaps, promoting species diversity, and managing tree health and risk assessment.
Rocky Yosek9:15 AM - 10:15 AM General Session Using TreePlotter as an Evaluation and Communication Tool | Rebecca Johnstone, Tucson Clean and Beautiful & Rocky Yosek, PlanIT Geo Through a grant from Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Tucson Clean and Beautiful selected and began working with PlanIT Geo this last spring to use TreePlotter to map all the trees we plant and distribute each year. TreePlotter is a powerful tool to evaluate, improve, and communicate the effectiveness of our program and to support the long-term success of the trees we plant. Our goals are 1) to use data to inform and design our planting program and community outreach/education, 2) to communicate with and engage the public about the importance and impact of trees and urban forestry, 3) to evaluate the success of our work by monitoring selected trees with an assessment of their condition two years after planting. |
| Speaker Bio: Rebecca currently sits as the Program Manager for Trees for Tucson, Tucson Clean and Beautiful’s 35-year-old urban forestry program which has planted or distributed over 200,000 new trees in the Tucson community since inception. Rebecca has worked with trees since her two-year Peace Corps experience in The Gambia where she created school nurseries. She has a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture and has been an ISA arborist for 3 years and recently earned her TRAQ certification. Rebecca also designs and manages Green Stormwater Infrastructure projects which facilitates many new and exciting trees in our urban environment. Rebecca loves being in nature rock climbing, hiking, and swimming. This passion is what inspires her to bring that nature into our urban environment. |
Rebecca Johnstone
| Speaker Bio: Rocky joined PlanIT Geo in 2019 as a Tree Inventory Technician, and he now manages and contributes to tree inventory projects around the country and manages the tree inventory crew to assure project timelines and client expectations are being met. During his time working at PlanIT Geo, he has inventoried more than 100,000 trees in 13 different states, with more than 11,000 of those trees being assessed for risk. He also contributes to data quality control, mapping documents, product development, new client training, and application set up. Prior to joining PlanIT Geo, Rocky managed the operations at Trees for Tucson for almost a decade. During his time working there, he led large scale tree plantings, taught tree care workshops, led mapping and assessment projects, and directed the operations of two energy efficiency tree distribution programs that delivered approximately 50,000 trees to area utility customers. |
TRACK 1 |
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Breakout Session: Track 1 Working with Clients and Technology for Better Outcomes and Reports | Rebecca Senior, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Delivering better work through technology seems like a good idea, and it is. Technology can help us be more effective communicating with clients, diagnosing plant problems, creating reports, and delivering them in a timely manner. Time – time - time we don’t have enough time. Learn how to use technology, both old school and a few cutting-edge new technologies, to create more time. Cutting-edge new technologies, how tempting. Our return on investment is not guaranteed, we will also look at avoiding loss of time through technology. |
Rebecca Senior | Speaker Bio: Rebecca Senior works for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County, as an Assistant in Extension. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and maintains a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. She recently changed her position at the Cooperative Extension to coordinating the Smartscape training program. Working to help landscape professionals face the challenges of maintaining beautiful landscapes and conserving our resources is important and deeply satisfying to Rebecca. She is passionate about igniting curiosity for the natural world, supporting the urban forest, and enlisting co-creators of more livable cities. |
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Breakout Session: Track 1
Using Technology to Communicate GIS Tree Inventory Data with Stakeholders and City Residents | Andrew Pineda, West Coast Arborists, Inc.
Join us for an engaging session that delves into the crucial role of tree inventory data in creating more sustainable communities. In this session, we will explore how public agencies can leverage the power of tree inventories to enhance urban environments, improve quality of life, and foster a healthier, greener future. Trees are the lifelines of our cities, offering a wide range of benefits such as improved air quality, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced biodiversity. However, without a comprehensive understanding of the trees within our communities, it becomes challenging to effectively manage and maximize these benefits.
During the session, we will explore the cross section of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), data, and urban forestry as it relates to tree inventories, maintenance planning, the benefits of trees, tree canopy cover, and more. We will cover insights into the importance of conducting tree inventories as a fundamental step towards sustainable urban development. We will explore how tree inventories enable public agencies to make informed decisions, foster environmental resilience, enhance community engagement, measure impact, & track progress.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM Breakout Session: Track 1 Arizona 811 Damage Prevention & Safety Presentation | Alejandra Ocano-Gonzalez, Arizona 811 The Damage Prevention & Safety Presentation covers important information about the 811 process, the law, and important safety precautions that must be taken when doing any projects that involve digging. This includes all projects whether working with a professional contractor or doing simple projects at home or within your community. Know what's below and always contact 811 before you dig. Every dig. Every time. |
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Breakout Session: Track 1 Arborist Technology for Development Projects | Carol Kwan, Carol Kwan Consulting LLC From planning through design, construction, and into maintenance, Arborists use various tools when consulting on development projects. This presentation will cover both high- and low-tech tools that are used in the field and in the office to increase workflow efficiency. |
Speaker Bio: Carol Kwan has a diverse background with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a MBA degree. She worked for about 20 years in construction and development as an engineer before becoming a Certified Arborist in 2003 and working as a consulting arborist in her own business, primarily in construction. Carol is an ISA Certified Arborist, holds the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, and is a Past President of WCISA. |
Carol KwanTRACK 2 |
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Breakout Session: Track 2 Certified Arborist Jeopardy: Session #1 | Dalton Gormey, Serious Landscaping & Grounds Care LLC & Max Butler, Holistic Horticulture Back by popular demand: Certified Arborist Jeopardy! During each session, we will go over the most important aspects of the exam reviewing critical areas using a fun approach called Certified Arborist Jeopardy! Two teams of class participants will battle off as we review all the domains that are on the Certified Arborist exam. This will be a fun and challenging way to prepare for the exam without accruing all the anxiety normal to a standard class setting. Although geared to exam participants, these sessions are for all interested in reviewing and refreshing their Certified Arborist knowledge. |
Dalton Gormey | Speaker Bio: Dalton Gormey is an ISA certified arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. He serves on the Board of Directors at the Arizona Community Tree Council and serves in both educational and practical capacities, assisting with the certified Arborist training, and the annual Arizona Tree Climbing Championship. Dalton is the owner and operator of Serious Landscaping and Grounds Care, LLC and resides in Glendale Arizona with his wife Jessica. |
| Speaker Bio: Max Butler was born and raised in Arizona and spent his summers working on his grandfather's tree farm in southern Wisconsin. He began pursuing a career in arboriculture following his graduation from Northern Arizona University in 2001. Max’s growing interest in how to care for and maintain entire tree systems rather than focusing only on the individual components of trees inspired him to start Holistic Horticulture, a company specializing in tree health management. Max's current certifications include Certified Tree Worker, Qualified Certified Tree Risk Assessor, and Certified Municipal Specialist. |
Max Butler 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Breakout Session: Track 2 Certified Arborist Jeopardy: Session #2 | Dalton Gormey, Serious Landscaping & Grounds Care LLC & Max Butler, Holistic Horticulture |
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM Breakout Session: Track 2 Certified Arborist Jeopardy: Session #3 | Dalton Gormey, Serious Landscaping & Grounds Care LLC & Max Butler, Holistic Horticulture |
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Breakout Session: Track 2 Certified Arborist Jeopardy: Session #4 | Dalton Gormey, Serious Landscaping & Grounds Care LLC & Max Butler, Holistic Horticulture |
