Outlook Summer 2024
By Rose Epperson on Monday, July 1, 2024
Outlook Summer 2024 – Cheers to 90 years!
The Western Chapter celebrated our 90th anniversary in San Diego from April 29 through May 2 while “Cultivating Competence” with over 450 attendees. The event was a great success, bringing together arborists, tree care aficionados, and industry experts from across the region (and world) to learn and network. The conference was such a wonderful acknowledgement of the efforts of the local committee led by Mike Palat and Vince Mikulanis. Every last detail was laced with care and pride, from décor to entertainment and programing to fun! We could not have asked for more.
One of the highlights of the conference was the Britton Fund Ride, a fundraising event that helps support arboriculture research and education. This was our 17th Annual Ride. Fifteen participants had the opportunity to ride through the beautiful San Diego countryside while raising money for research and education about trees!! It was a fun and rewarding way for attendees to give back to the industry that they love. Special thanks to the SAG (support and gear) team members Dennis Swartzell, Lucy Klinghammer, Oscar Sanchez, and Brian Bishop. And, of course, hats off to Britton Fund Chair, Doug Anderson, for putting the event together.
I’m always in awe of our award winners. The Western Chapter of ISA recognized several individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the arboriculture industry. From tree care professionals, educators, and researchers who go above and beyond in their work to communities that prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship, the award winners were truly deserving of recognition. See page 40 to celebrate the 2023 honorees.
Chapter Historian Robert Phillips worked with Kathleen Falamino from the Epicenter team to update our Roots to Crown publication. This 2nd Edition included the addition of two decades of accomplishments and growth for the chapter. With the support from Bartlett Tree Experts, conference attendees received a published copy of the historical account of the Western Chapter. An electronic version can be downloaded at (https://online.fliphtml5. com/wxtg/qbdg).
As part of the 90th anniversary celebration, the WCISA Board is bringing back an old tradition with a new twist. The Order of the Garter has become the Order of the Oak; the awardee is chosen annually by conference attendees. An oak is often used as a symbol to describe someone who is congenial, helpful, and kind, just like an oak tree. The awardee is strong and reliable, providing support and shelter to those around them. Congratulations to Karina Nordbak from TreeCareLA, the 2024 honoree. Karina, and all living, prior honorees, was presented with a pewter lapel pin.
But perhaps the most valuable aspect of the conference was the educational opportunities it provided. Attendees had the chance to attend presentations on a wide range of topics. There was something for everyone and the close proximity of the concurrent tracts made it easy for attendees to move from class to class. Our Spanish Arborist Committee (Arboleros) prepared a full day of Spanish language programing. We were fortunate to have speakers from Mexico and the US providing the content for the track. The conference was a valuable learning experience for all who attended, helping them to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the industry.
Overall, the Western Chapter ISA 90th anniversary conference in San Diego was a resounding success. From the Britton Fund ride to the award winners and the educational opportunities, attendees had a fantastic time celebrating the milestone anniversary and learning from their peers. Here's to another 90 years of excellence in arboriculture! We’ve already started working with our colleagues in Arizona on our 91st conference in Tucson next Spring. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
I want to thank the team at Epicenter Management for the support and service they provide to conference attendees and members throughout the year. The team remains nimble and their ability to work together to keep the programs and events on tap is really appreciated. I am proud of how they rally and couldn’t do my job without them.
As our 90th year comes to a close, I want to say thank you, Kevin Eckert, for your dedicated service as the president of the Western Chapter. Your leadership and commitment to the arboriculture industry have been truly invaluable, and we are grateful for all that you have done to support and promote the profession. Your passion and dedication have made a positive impact on the Western Chapter and its members, and we thank you for your tireless efforts. We appreciate all that you have done and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. We have some exciting programing on the horizon that will springboard off your goals of outreach and micro credentialing. Thank you, Kevin, for your outstanding service as president.
In a few weeks, many chapter members will be headed to Atlanta for the ISA’s Centennial Celebration. I had the privilege to work on the Centennial Committee and can’t wait to celebrate the milestone with you all.
Cheers to 90 years and of course, TREES!
~RE