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
As an allied professional with a background in regional and community planning, I didn’t know what to expect when I touched down in Albuquerque for my first trip to New Mexico and my first SMA Annual Conference. The cityscape, with its unique history and culture, promised to be interesting, as did the Balloon Fiesta. It was those “tree people” I couldn’t really predict. I’d gotten acquainted with a few urban forestry profes- sionals in the past several months, having had the good fortune to be asked to work on a project to improve communications between regional planners, their con- stituents and clients, and urban foresters. I approached the SMA conference with an eye toward improving my ability to talk to urban foresters, understand their values and goals, and better fold this understanding into the delicate, difficult balancing act that is “planning.” New SMA President Doug Still presents outgoing President Gene Hyde with an award of appreciation as Past President Steve Shurtz narrates. Photo by Steve Cothrel The 46th Annual SMA Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico did not disappoint. Conference Committee Chair and Host Nick Kuhn and Exhibit and Sponsorship Committee Chair Jeff Wooten went over and above the call of duty to make sure all needs were met and everyone enjoyed themselves. Conference delegates were treated to a stellar speaker line-up. Highlights for me included discovering every- thing that I am doing wrong when giving presenta- tions, as described by Paul Johnson from the Texas Forest Service as well as the humorous, albeit frighten- ing presentation on Invasive Pests in the Urban Forest by Steve Cothrel. There were a record number of first time delegates in attendance which included a number of urban planners. It is encouraging to see that the SMA is attracting other professional groups. The social events and the Table Topics provided a great opportunity to learn a little bit about each others’ professions and how we may effec- tively work together. For those of us who couldn’t make the early rising to Balloon Fiesta Park, there was an opportunity to view the ascension of the hot air balloons from the comfort of the top floor presidential suite. The view was spectacular! As always it is wonderful to reconnect with old friends and colleagues and to meet new ones at each confer- ence. Thank you to everyone who chose to attend this year’s conference and I look forward to seeing you next year in Milwaukee. —Tami Sadonoja, Urban Forestry Technician, Hamilton, Ontario 8 I was greatly impressed. The conference tracks echoed today’s community and economic development atmo- sphere and enunciated the sustainability of urban for- ests in clear economic, environmental, and social terms. Moreover, conversations flowed easily and centered on many common themes ranging from the costs and benefits of urban forestry to how to work with elected officials and the public. The experienced and knowledgeable people gathered had fought many hard battles (often versus a planning department), suffered many setbacks, and won impor- tant victories. I left with a much better understanding of the urban forester and his or her professional values. It is clear to anyone that works in community development that our increasingly complex and fragile urban environ- ments demand the ability to understand and cooperate across professions. The SMA Annual Conference left me with the distinct impression that “tree people” truly understand and appreciate this. —Nathan Willingham, Regional & Community Planning Director, Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments SMA members gather at the reception preceding the banquet; left to right: Paul Johnson, Sarah Foster, Melanie Kirk, Paul Ries, Patricia Joyner, Robert Corletta. Photo by Steve Cothrel City Trees