City Trees

plan and first-ever design standards for trees. We intend to follow this up with the most important action of all—the first-ever update to our tree ordinance. This kind of incremental improvement keeps me going. However, the thing I enjoy most is working with our local con- servation corps (Onondaga Earth Corps) and county extension office. Together, they plant hundreds and prune over a thousand young trees for us annually and are the heart and soul of our urban and community forestry program. How long have you been involved in SMA and in what capacities? SH: I have been more deeply involved since the 2015 Denver conference, when the SMA President at the time, Jeremy Barrick, pulled a Jedi mind trick and said, "Steve, you want to be con- ference planning chair," and I said, "I want to be conference planning chair." Four years later I am still doing that with fellow Board Member Dorothy Abeyta and really enjoy it. That said, if any of you readers are interested in helping, send me an email! SHarris@syrgov.net What has your involvement in SMA meant to you? SH: I first attended an SMA conference as a vendor in Hollywood, Florida in 2007. It was easy for me as an outsider to see what a great group it was, so I started attending SMA conferences immediately after getting the job as Syracuse City Arborist in 2010. Our work in urban forestry is unique and there are not many of us. I have gotten great advice from my many fellow SMA members that I have passed off as my own ideas and they have made me look good in the eyes of others. I hope to continue doing that indefinitely. What do you like to do in your free time? SH: I go to the indoor climbing gym as much as I can and when time allows, I love going rock climbing, especially in my favorite spot, the Shawangunks in New York's Hudson Valley. I met my wife, Kristine, through rock climbing in college and after graduating we traveled out west for three months … that was the best! Both our boys climb and one works at a climbing gym. It is a great life-sport! Our family camps every year, and my wife and I take each other out on lots of walks. It should be no surprise that I spend too much time looking up and get stopped frequently by neighbors about their tree. Of course I love this. I also love to cook. Everyone in our family has pretty adventurous taste buds and likes spicy food. Steve Harris at the Syracuse Parks Department's annual community tree planting event involving approximately 100 trees and 100 volunteers. The event is organized in partnership with local partners Cornell Cooperative Extension-Onondaga County and Onondaga Earth Corps. "It is always the highlight of the year," Steve says. Photo Courtesy Onondaga Earth Corps www.urban-forestry.com 13

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