Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Assn.

Like so many other organizations working to ensure everyone’s safety in this crazy year, the Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association board has decided to hold our annual meeting and conference online. Watch for plenty of opportunities to earn CEUS and to participate in the important annual business of the association.

Tyler Stevenson and other state staff in Ohio have developed a short video to summarize their use of the Urban Forest Strike Team (UFST) to assess tree damage in  the Dayton area after tornados struck there in 2019.

The Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ & Foresters’ Association supported both the deployment and the video, using federal grant funds they had for UFST. In addition to this and other deployments, that grant supported training of over 100 UFST task specialists and team leaders, many from Massachusetts and most from New England.

Ohio has produced a good resource to share with others to summarize how UFST assessments can help communities recover after disaster damage to their urban forests.

Link to the youtube video is below;

UMass Extension’s Green School is a comprehensive 12-day certificate short course for Green Industry professionals taught by UMass Extension Specialists, University of Massachusetts faculty, and guest presenters.

For eligible employers, the Green School registration fee may be partially reimbursed (up to 50%) through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Express Grant Program. Employers should submit an online application to the Express Grant program at least 4 weeks in advance of Green School’s starting date. To find out if you qualify and to apply for benefits, go to http://workforcetrainingfund.org/apply/express-program/. The information needed to submit an Express Application for reimbursement is:

·         Course Name: Green School 2020

·         Course ID#: 1126836

·         Cost: $650 until 9/15/20; $725 after 9/15/20

For complete information, including the schedule, curriculum, and registration details, visit ag.umass.edu/landscape/education/umass-extensions-green-school

Green School is going VIRTUAL! The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a temporary shift to remote delivery, and thus dramatic changes in the way that UMass will be offering the program for 2020. Click here for complete information on this course.

Green School is taught by University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension Specialists, UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture faculty, and guest presenters. While the in-person interactions and networking that Green School traditionally offers will be missed, this temporary shift to virtual instruction will benefit Green School attendees in many ways while prioritizing current public health best practices and restrictions:

• Registration cost savings due to reduced overhead.
• Savings of time and travel expenses.
• Attendees who have previously been unable to attend due to travel restrictions/distance will now have the opportunity to join us from the convenience of their own homes!

New England Chapter ISA Tree Fund Liaison and UMass professor, Kristina Bezanson, is thrilled to be able to announce her upcoming online course! Offered by the University of Massachusetts University Without Walls, and taught by Kristina Bezanson, this Fall Semester 2020 course is accessible to everyone. Don’t miss this opportunity to earn 36 ISA CEUs!

The course title is NRC 232 Principals of Arboriculture.  The course is designed to introduce students to arboriculture and the care of community trees. Many aspects of tree care are covered, and safety is stressed throughout the course. The course presents a balanced program of practical skills and scientific tree care.

Certified arborists can earn International Society of Arboriculture CEU’s!

• BCMA Science: 16 Practice: 8 Management: 12
• Climber Specialist: 26
• Certified Arborist: 36
• Utility Specialist: 26
• Municipal Specialist: 36
• Aerial Lift: 26

Classes are fully online and begin on August 24, 2020.