City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/22884
The SMA conference in Albuquerque was the first that I attended since I retired in 2004 as city for- ester for Bismarck, North Dakota. First of all, I would like to congratulate the local host, Nick Kuhn, for putting on an excellent conference. The facilities, programs, food, and everything else that goes into having a successful conference were superb. It was great seeing old friends that I had made in the many past years attending the conferences. But it was also exciting and encouraging to see the new faces and talented members in attendance who are managing urban forests in the United States and Canada. Having served as president of the SMA more than a quarter of century ago and having seen it go through some difficult times, it is gratifying to see that the organi- zation continues to represent the practitioners in urban forestry who truly understand the management needs of the urban forests. —Paul Blumhardt, Retired Bismarck, North Dakota City Forester Past SMA Presidents (left to right) Bob Cool, Paul Blumhardt, and Bob Benjamin • Photo by Marla Eddy I attended the recent SMA conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Each year, there are a vari- ety of urban forestry related conferences and work- shops one can attend to satisfy CEU requirements. And consider that most municipalities are struggling with major budget reductions to boot. I am blessed with a Director who sees the benefits of these educa- tional opportunities. The International Balloon Fiesta was one of the most fun and amazing experiences I have ever had at a con- ference. There is something religious about witnessing the balloons rising at dawn. Other highlights included Sunday’s field workshop at Trees of Corrales Nursery and Monday’s tree walk on the beautiful University of New Mexico campus. I enjoyed the “Living Highways Project” by Scott Fogarty, who directs Portland, Oregon’s Friends of Trees. “Team Lorax: Speaking for the Trees” by Paul Johnson with the Texas Forest Service was fun, and I still have my “Member of Team Lorax” pledge card behind my badge so that must mean something. I made the right choice attending the SMA Conference in Albuquerque. Thank you for choosing such a great venue and for timing the conference during the bal- loon festival. Owen Croy scales the climbing wall. Photo by Paul Johnson www.urban-forestry.com —Dena Kirtley, Urban Forest Manager, City of West Sacramento, California 7