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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1386860
urban-forestry.com 13 trees and shrubs get established and start to grow big and healthy gives me a lot satisfaction. I like to try using uncommon native species and have obtained mixed results, but I am always learning a lot from these projects. How long have you been involved in SMA and in what capacities? CA: I became a member of SMA in 2019, and since then I was looking for opportunities to get involved. After attending MFI in 2020, I was more convinced than ever that I wanted to be not only part of the organization, but to be an active participant. This orga- nization is very inclusive and if you want to be an active member, they are happy to let you do it. At the end of last year, I had the honor to be invited to be an SMA Board Member for the current year. I have been working with other board members to restart the Arborist Exchange Program and to offer other similar experiences, which in my opinion is one of the nicest and most unique benefits you get from being a member. By the way, we are looking for a working group so feel free to contact me at calzate@coralsprings.org if you are interested in supporting future arborist exchanges. What has your involvement in SMA meant to you? CA: For me, being involved with SMA means connecting with likeminded people, learning from experienced col- leagues, having the opportunity to share similar experiences, and learning how other people have dealt with challenges. It keeps me informed in the urban forestry field and gets me out of my comfort zone by inviting me to participate in different activities. SMA allows me to explore and use my creativity to come up with new programs and ideas that could benefit our existing and potential new members. What do you like to do in your free time? CA: I enjoy traveling internationally with my husband, vis- iting parks and botanical gardens, going for long walks with my dog and taking her to the beach every weekend, spending time with all my animals (I also have cats), reading, and making succulent arrangements. I like languages, so I'm self- teaching Portuguese, and my goal is that by the end of the year I can at least know the basics of the language and start learning Italian. My husband and I are Master Gardeners, and whenever we can help, we enjoy assisting with plant sales and other events at the local botanical garden. Anything else you would like to share? CA: I am sure that many of you out there would like to become active participants of SMA but you do not know how to do it. I can tell from my own personal experience that this organization will make you feel welcome from the very beginning and you will find many ways and levels of involvement to be part of it. I am sure you will get way more in return from this group than what you give to it, and it is just an e-mail away to Executive Director Jerri LaHaie or any of the board members letting us know that you want to help. Claudia Alzate visiting Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Florida for the 2019 Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida (LIAF) meeting. Claudia Alzate (second from left) with fellow Floridian Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) participants at MFI in Gulf Shores, Alabama in February, 2020.