How did you come to urban forestry?
Kateri Savory: Before changing fields, I was
a district manager in retail where I enjoyed
training teams and using my creativity to
revamp stores. Constant goal attainment
made the long hours satisfactory for a while,
but I wanted to spend energy on something
that would help others and feed my soul.
I studied Permaculture courses online through
Cornell University and then pursued a degree
in Ornamental Horticulture from Bronx
Community College, which included courses
with the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG).
The array of adult education classes offered by
NYBG were way too interesting for me to pass
over, so I took any class that would teach me
about gardening, biology, arboriculture, design,
etc. I received a Certificate in Gardening and
spent much time interning with NYBG, which
gave me invaluable skills and knowledge.
I began working with Davey Resource Group in
2015 as an Inventory Arborist. I've had the oppor-
tunity to assist with various projects including
tree inventories, pollinator garden creation,
and invasive species management. Since then I
became an ISA Certified Arborist and attained
the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
What is your current position
title and responsibilities?
KS: I currently work with Davey Resource Group
as a Project Manager for the Asian Longhorned
Beetle (ALB) Eradication Program in NYC. In this
position, I manage about 45 team members
between Brooklyn and Long Island's ALB
quarantine areas. Some of my duties include
hiring and training staff, coordinating progres-
sion, ensuring high quality survey of ALB host
trees, creating and maintaining accurate data,
providing deliverables to our client, and cor-
responding with NYC residents. I also assist
with training management and field staff for
new projects coming out of our NYC office.
Kateri Savory on the grounds of Oregon
Garden Resort in Silverton, Oregon.
Kateri Savory
is an MFI 2019 graduate and
the Davey Resource Group
Project Manager for the
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Eradication Program in NYC.
20 CityTREES
