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PRINCIPLE TRACK, PRACTICE TRACK AND CERTIFIED ARBORIST REVIEW |
ATTENDEE WELCOME: 8:00AM - 8:30AM |
Join us for an engaging and informative session where members will have the opportunity to meet the Board of Directors. This conference is your chance to connect with the individuals steering our organization and to gain insights into their vision and objectives. Each board member will introduce themselves, sharing their backgrounds and roles within the organization, fostering a sense of familiarity and approachability. In addition to these introductions, the board will discuss current projects and initiatives that are shaping our future. Learn about the strategic goals being pursued and the initiatives in progress that aim to enhance our community and strengthen our mission. This session will not only foster transparency but also encourage open dialogue throughout the conference between members and the board, allowing members to ask questions and share their thoughts throughout the day. |  |
MORNING KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: 8:30AM - 9:30AM |
| Lessons from the Field: What 5 Years of Data Teach Us About Surviving Arizona’s Urban Climate
This presentation shares five years of urban tree monitoring data collected and analyzed by Arizona Sustainability Alliance to reveal species-specific survivability trends, key mortality factors, and actionable strategies for improving tree resilience as a tool for climate adaptation and extreme heat mitigation.
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Paul Falsone, Program Manager, Urban Forestry. Paul coordinates tree planting programs, the Urban Forestry Education Initiative (for K-12 teachers), and Trees Are Cool programs (education for students, teachers, and community members). He also directs tree monitoring and data collection & analysis, and helps coordinate the Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable. Paul has a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning and Master of Sustainability Solutions from Arizona State University. In April 2025, Paul earned his Certified Arborist credential.
Lorena Saldana is the Sr. Urban Forestry Programs Manager. She coordinates AZSA’s tree planting and distribution programs, manages urban forestry proposals, contracts, and budgets, and coordinates activities for the Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable, a group of public and private partners committed to increasing tree canopy. She has a Bachelor’s of Sustainability from Arizona State University with a focus on Urban Planning and studied renewable energy at the University of Reykjavik, Iceland. |
BREAKOUT SESSION 1: 9:30AM - 10:30AM |
| How and Why Trees Fail in Windstorms: Can We Retain More?
This presentation will recap historic loses, review anatomy, present treatments and dosages for tree retention.
Juan Barba is the owner of Juan J Barba and Associates. BS in Horticulture- UofA, Certified Arborist and Qualified Risk Assessor, Former Working, still Consulting Arborist in Southern Arizona, Researcher, Educator and Trainer, and past President the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.
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| Certified Arborist Training Jeopardy Review
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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. |
BREAKOUT SESSION 2: 10:45AM - 11:45AM |
| Shade Plan Phoenix and the Office of Heat
The Shade Plan was passed by city council in 2024, it is the guiding document for all tree plantings and built shade planning and construction at the City of Phoenix.
Lora is the Urban Tree Program Manager for the City of Phoenix in the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. This position, a tree position in an office focused on heat, is the first if its kind in the world. Lora’s job is to equitably increase a healthy urban forest in Phoenix by working across all department at the city. Lora holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from University of California Santa Barbara and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Arizona State University. She is a licensed landscape architect in Arizona and California and practiced in the private sector for 11 years in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Arizona. |
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| The use of AI in Arboriculture The use of AI in Arboriculture, practical uses for today's Arborist. Frank Saldaña is a member of the WCISA and ACTC. As a bilingual Certified Arborist for the past nineteen years, Frank has helped develop key training and safety programs including Tree Worker Safety & Proper Care of Trees, & has helped in training in Internship programs for future Arborist students. Frank’s interest in Arboriculture are focused at the regional, state & international level-Having participated in ISA seminars & events in Columbia, Sweden, Croatia and Spain. |
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Certified Arborist Training Jeopardy Review Session #2 | Dalton Gormey, Serious Landscaping & Grounds Care, LLC |
BREAKOUT SESSION 3: 12:45AM - 1:45PM |
| The Potential to Use Air Conditioning Condensate Water to Support Urban Trees Assess the potential to use condensate water produced by air conditioners and other chilling machines to support urban trees in Arizona including addressing potential water quantity, water quality and strategies to convey the water to trees.
Ann Audrey is an environmental consultant working with urban tree management, rainwater harvesting and sustainable design. Recent projects include researching and developed profiles of insect and disease threats to urban trees applicable to Arizona and New Mexico, compiling information on climate resilient native trees for use in the southwest, developing best practices to increase the planting and use of native trees and developing guidance on the use native and cultivated fruit and nut trees.
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| Tree Assessment 101 A hand-on demonstration, and walk through of how to assess a tree for potential pests or disease, the steps to take if something is suspected, and possible mitigation strategies. This presentation will help increase arborist awareness when evaluating tree health in the field. Aly McAlexander is the Forest Health Program Manager for the Arizona Dept. of Forestry and Fire Management. She has been with the department for more than 5 years and has statewide responsibilities that include administering forest health related grant programs, and providing technical assistance to the public, private landowners, and state, county and/or other municipalities, regarding the management of native, non-native, and invasive insects, diseases, and plants around Arizona. |
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Certified Arborist Training Jeopardy Review |
Session #3 | Dalton Gormey, Serious Landscaping & Grounds Care, LLC
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BREAKOUT SESSION 4: 2:00PM - 3:00PM |
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| Teaching with Project Learning Tree
In this presentation, urban forestry professionals and tree enthusiasts will gain hands-on experience using Project Learning Tree’s educational materials, an established resource for classroom and community engagement that helps to cultivate informed community members who can think critically about, advocate for, and contribute to sustainable urban forests.
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Timara is an Urban and Community Forestry Specialist with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Her job focuses on grant administration and funding distribution to urban forestry projects across the state - especially Tree City and Tree Campus USA partners. She also serves as an educational and technical resource for partners and community members by answering questions, hosting talks/workshops, programming, and building educational material. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sustainability from Arizona State University.
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| Large Equipment Safety
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Certified Arborist Training Jeopardy Review
Session #4 | Dalton Gormey, Serious Landscaping & Grounds Care, LLC |
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: 3:15PM - 4:15PM |
| How to Build Policy Momentum to Meet Climate Goals This interactive session invites conference participants to take part in a workshop designed to gather informed feedback that will inform community- and research-based policy development, with the goal of empowering attendees to host similar workshops within their own tree boards or community leadership groups. |
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Stephen Addison, Urban Forest Program Manager, City of Mesa cultivates a healthy and thriving urban forest, delivering essential ecosystem services like cleaner air and cooler neighborhoods. He empowers city departments and residents to make informed decisions about tree planning, health, and protection. He received a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on environmental policy from the UofA and was fortunate enough to support Trees for Tucson’s million tree initiative. He is a certified arborist and carry the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. |
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