City Trees

6 CityTREES Throughout the year I have used this column to highlight SMA partnerships and initiatives that benefit our members and the communities we serve. Perhaps there is no more important partner- ship, and no other in more need of strengthening, than our relationship to the Utility Arborist Association (UAA). I have always believed that utilities and utility arborists and foresters touch more trees than any other resource managers in a municipality. It is essential that municipal arborists and utility arborists work closely together to accomplish our common goal of pro- viding healthy and safe urban forests in our communities. In fact, that is exactly what SMA and UAA agreed to do in our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) adopted in 2006: We share the common goal of improving the quality of life for all of our citizens by enhancing the extent and condition of the urban forest and by delivering safe, reliable electric power. We are committed to ongoing communication, cooperation, and collabo- ration to meet this goal at all levels of community. We recognize and endorse ANSI A300 Tree Care Performance Standards, the ANSI Z133.1 Safety Standard, and ISA Best Management Practices. We support the ISA Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist and Utility Specialist certification programs. We encourage attain- ment of the National [sic] Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Line USA and Tree City USA recognitions and fully support the concept of "Right Tree, Right Place." This is a simple but powerful commitment, but unfortu- nately, a commitment that has not always received the attention and recognition that it deserves. That is chang- ing. In 2018, both the UAA and SMA Board of Directors reaffirmed this MOU and have committed to working together to advance the goal and spirit of the agreement. I have talked with many utility and municipal arborists over the last few months. There are many stories of successful and innovative collaborative projects at the local and region- al level—and the one thing all these successful efforts have in common is personal relationships. Please, if you are a municipal arborist or utility arborist, pick up the phone, reach out to your professional counterpart, and sit down and talk about how you can work together to accomplish both your organizations' goals and the common goal of main- taining a healthy and safe urban and community forest. One of the Board initia- tives this year was to work on telling the story of SMA. When we thought about what that real- ly meant, it was simple. It's each and every one of our members' experiences in urban forestry and how SMA has impacted them. For some, it is attending the annual conference where you have the opportunity to rekindle friend- ships made over the years, learn about the latest products and services, and meet new folks from all over the country and beyond. For others, it is the growth you experienced both personally and professionally while honing your leadership skills at MFI. Those of you who aren't able to attend our programs still find great value in the articles in City Trees or connecting via the SMA Listserve. Each of our Board members just gave a two minute testimonial about SMA, and it was so interesting to hear their stories summed up in a brief video clip. We know you all have your own stories—and we want to hear them. You may not think you have a story to tell, but I assure you there is a member or potential mem- ber out there who needs to hear what you have to say. I'd venture to say that no two city arborists' jobs are alike. Besides being different sizes and in different climates, the political, social, and eco- nomic conditions of a community have a huge impact on the tree program. But the one thing you all have in common is your passion for more liv- able cities and your tenacity to work through the quagmire that leads to that goal. Your paths may be different, but the destination is the same. Many of you who have attended MFI have given us a testimonial that we use to market MFI. Those of you who will be at the conference in Cleveland will have the opportunity to chat with our roving reporter. If you're not attending, feel free to video yourself and send it to us. With a cell phone or computer camera, it is so easy. We will collect and share them with our membership so you can all see what rock stars you are! It will make you proud to be a member of SMA. President's Message Keith Cline Executive Director's Message Jerri J. LaHaie

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