Outlook - Spring 2021

By Rose Epperson on Thursday, April 1, 2021

Outlook – Springing Forward

On February 2, 2020, when Punxsutawney Phil raised his head from the cool ground, we were looking forward to the coming of an early spring. Little did we know the punch that would pack!  Fast forward to February 2, 2021 and again we look to Phil for a sign that a “new day is coming over the horizon.”  However, this year his prediction revealed 6 more weeks of winter.  And boy was he spot on, with the subsequent unprecedented snow and winter weather throughout the country.  It really is remarkable all the foreword motion that we have taken in 2021, and yet unfathomable what we have experienced since last since the last time Phil popped up for a visit.

In many ways this whole past year seems like Groundhog Day. Our crazy lives came to a screeching halt as we turned within for answers to questions that had no real answers to find.  It felt like we were living the same day over and over again.   So here we are a year later, resolved to the fact that life never may be the same but certainly ready to spring forward in the right direction.

I love that that Spring issue of the Western Arborist is packed with examples of positive forward moving activities and updates.  Too many to list out here – you will need to read all the articles yourself!   One highlight is The Britton Fund Annual Report on page 24. We are so grateful for the generosity of the donors and corporate sponsors in 2020.  If you would like to see your name in print next year, consider a donation to the Fund (https://www.thebrittonfund.org/donate-now ).   Behind the scenes, the WCISA Board and Committees have been working with Kevin Martlage from Nextier Consulting building a great strategic vision for the next few years – check it out on page 19.

We are looking to convene the Commercial Arborist Committee and create an Editorial Committee (so far we have 3 members).  If you have interest in either of those areas of operations, please send me an email repperson@wcisa.net. The marketing committee that has been led by Elise Willis for the last several years will be changing. Elise is taking the opportunity to return to her hometown and continue her education at the University of Florida. I will sure miss her.  She has been a dynamic leader of the committee and wonderful “face of the chapter” in Northern California.  Check out the member profile on Desiree Page from Hawaii (produced by the Marketing Committee) on page 28.  I had the opportunity to volunteer with Desiree during the Hawaii Tree Climbing Championships on the big island in 2019 and hope to return there as soon as travel bans are lifted. Working collaboratively is really one of the things I enjoy most about my role with the Western Chapter.  So many great friendships have been made through the years.

Speaking of events, our Regional Conference Committee has a stellar line up of “First Wednesday Webinars” this year with a great array of speakers and topics that were based on your needs. We will augment that with livestream workshops that have multiple speakers but a single theme. Check out the events listing on page 13. We hope to be adding some small group live meetings into the schedule as the year progresses.  So much good stuff!

I’m looking forward to later in the spring when we will present our 2nd virtual conference.  I’ve been really impressed with Kelaine Ravdin and the annual conference committee, who once again have come together to bring the best virtual experience to the membership possible.  In keeping true to the theme of “Far Out Arboriculture,” the event will be an experience you don’t want to miss.  We know there are so many educational opportunities out there.  Our goal is to provide not just an opportunity but an experience, where we bring the “Lost Coast” to you, the member.  

As we turned the clock forward on March 7th, many of us stepped back into the “real world” – scheduling vaccinations, returning to work and settling into our new routines.  If there are any resources that the chapter can provide you as you launch back into your work environment, please reach out.  I welcome new and innovative ideas on how to engage the membership and look forward to when we can gather again.  In the meantime, be well. 

 

Rose Epperson, CAE

ISA Certified Arborist #WE-1045A

714/264-9793 mobile

559/784-8733 office 

 


 [LCS1]Kathleen be sure to insert an okina please

 [LCS2]Here too.