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/648999
32 City Trees Scott, can you tell us about your educational tra- jectory? • During high school, I worked for McDonald's Corporation. I later pursued a business management degree at a community college, but I eventually fig- ured out what I really wanted to do with my career life. I changed direction and received my BS degree in Forest Management from Colorado State University (CSU). I took a community forestry class during my final semester at CSU and was hooked. My current cre- dentials are ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, SAF Certified Forester, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, and Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector. Tell us about your career trajectory. • I spent a couple of summers working as a seasonal employee for the Colorado State Forest Service, which included working at the state nursery for a while. I was also fortunate to spend a summer as a firefighter with the Larimer County Sheriff's Department out of Fort Collins. • After graduation from college in 1992, I accepted a position as a seasonal inventory forester for the Wyoming State Forestry Division, conducting tree inventories for communities throughout the state. • A full-time position soon opened up doing GIS/digitiz- ing of USFS topographic maps for a small company in Fort Collins, CO. • I then accepted a forestry technician position with the City of Greeley, CO, where I remained for about two years before accepting the position of community for- ester for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands. • One more family member was added and it was time to move a bit closer to home (Minnesota) and for a very short time, I worked for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. • I accepted the arborist supervisor position for the City of Fargo, ND in 1996. • Currently I serve as the city forester for the City of Fargo. What have been a few peak experiences of your career thus far? • Achieving a city forester position. This was a goal of mine when I decided (late in my college career) that urban forestry was where I wanted to be. I truly enjoy what I do, where I get to do it, and the opportunities this community has provided. Greater Fargo/Moorhead from above. Photo Courtesy Fargo Visitors Bureau In the Red River Valley Scott Liudahl and Urban Forestry in Fargo, North Dakota