President's Perspective - Fall 2024

By Sarah Maitland on Wednesday, October 2, 2024

President’s Perspective

It is with great excitement and honor that I write to you in my new role of President of the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA). My love of horticulture really comes from my grandfather who was a botanist and taught school in Milwaukee. Growing up in the Midwest, I spent my summers with my grandparents in Wisconsin walking through forests and learning about plants. I moved to Cave Creek, Arizona in 1996 and fell in love with the abundant life of the Sonoran Desert.

I started my presidency at the California State Fair with the TreeCircus. Through fun, interactive shows, the TreeCircus ignites children’s curiosity and teaches them not only how trees grow, but also why they matter. Timmy Womick, the inspiring force behind the TreeCircus, has a deep passion for teaching children. Every child can make a difference. How many children can you reach out to and share your love of trees? 

Work continues inside as well as outside. The WCISA has several important initiatives to support the development of professional, competent arborists:

  • The ISA’s launch of the Component Council and our representation by Rhonda Wood will continue our collaboration and communication with ISA board of Directors.
  • We will continue to follow and evaluate the WCISA strategic plan in pursuing new opportunities, addressing challenges, and taking our organization to the highest level. Many committees work together to advance professionalism and fellowship in our chapter.
  • The WCISA Executive Committee has formed a new ad-hoc committee – the Pride Network. The work of this committee will help provide a welcoming environment for interested members and demonstrate that WCISA is an inclusive organization open to all. This meshes well with ISA’s commitment “to fostering a culture where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully to our mission.”

I attended the ISA International Conference in Atlanta, Georgia and joined the celebration of ISA’s 100-year anniversary. Decades of advancement in the field were shared. The art and science of arboriculture has changed significantly in the first 100 years of ISA’s history. Equipment, tools, techniques, and best practices have improved through innovation, collaboration, and advancement in science.

We were presented with 2 scenarios during the conference. In one scenario, was a world where trees survive in artificial environments, trapped under protective bubbles due to extreme environmental conditions and poor air quality. In this world, our natural spaces are lost, and future generations grow up disconnected from the beauty and life of trees.

In the second scenario, we envision a world where trees thrive, and cities are teeming with lush plant life. These vibrant ecosystems provide clean air, shelter, beauty, and a sense of community. This is a world where we have committed ourselves to the care and preservation of our green spaces, where every tree we plant, nurture, and protect gives us hope and life. 

As members of WCISA, we can make a real difference in determining which scenario will become our reality. Whether large or small, every effort we make to preserve and expand our tree canopy contributes to a healthier, more sustainable world. Every small seed we plant today has the potential to grow. What efforts can you make? What seed will you plant?

I encourage you to reach out to others. Invite new people into our industry, share the importance of what we do. We need to inspire the next generation of arborists who will carry this torch forward. I challenge everyone to branch out to organizations, governmental agencies and educational institutions to expand our network and advocate for sustainable tree care education and practices. We need to continue to promote the value and importance of professional arboriculture and urban forestry to the general public. As arborists, we are entrusted with the stewardship of trees and urban forests, and the decisions we make today will resonate for generations. We are a part of and look forward to the bright future we can shape together. I challenge each of you to do everything you can—whether it’s planting a tree, sharing your knowledge, or advocating for trees in your community. Your contributions big and small will continue to make a significant difference. Together, we can ensure that trees continue to flourish in our cities, towns, and communities, not just for the next 100 years but for countless generations to come.

I look forward to working alongside all of you to continue the incredible work of WCISA!!!

 

Sarah 

Sarah Maitland| ISA Certified Arborist WE-6235A | ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #533 | SavATree | Phoenix Office
T# (602) 400-7503 | smaitland@savatree.com