City Trees

4 CityTREES President's Message Scott Altenhoff Executive Director's Message Jerri J. LaHaie As we approach the sea- son of Thanksgiving and the end of 2021, I have to reflect on what a year it has been. As President Altenhoff mentioned, we managed to continue on with the Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) in spite of a global pandemic. MFI began in 2006 and we have not missed a year. In fact one year, we held two MFIs! So we have now com- pleted 17 MFIs in 16 years, with over 800 graduates. We couldn't have done this without the dedication of so many volunteers who pour their heart and soul into making sure MFI continues to be the premier leadership training it was designed to be, while con- tinually reviewing and updating the curriculum. As we approach our annual conference (aren't we all glad it is in person this year?!), the same holds true: countless hours go into planning and organizing these events, and it takes a small village to pull it off. So to all of you volunteers who always answer the call, spend twice as much time as you thought you would, and perhaps feel burned out and under- valued, let me assure you that we know that SMA exists because of all of you and all you do. I am grateful to have this column to publicly thank each of you and to let you know you are appreciated. When Covid became part of our lives, we had to reimag- ine how to serve our members. We quickly jumped into unfamiliar territory and technology to provide town hall meetings and webinars on topics you told us were important to you. To those of you who volun- teered to put on a presentation, lead a focused topical discussion, or help with the technology and logistics of going virtual, thank you. It was a pleasure to hold hands with you and jump into unchartered territory at a time when uncertainty seemed to be the new normal. As we bid goodbye to 2021, we look forward to what the new year will bring, including the opportunity to continue to make SMA your professional association, responsive to your needs as you pursue your career goals and your advancement of municipal forestry in your cities and towns. Thank you for your membership and your involvement in this great organization. Since the global pandemic began I've found myself think- ing ever more frequently about the concepts of health, well- being, and resilience. I know I'm not alone. Thanks to the increasingly dire threats fac- ing our planet and its many com- plex social-ecological systems, we've all been forced to consider and to contend with these vital concepts on a daily basis and at the individual, familial, organiza- tional, community, national, and international levels. What does it take to really thrive and not just survive? How can we conduct our lives and business, and prosper today in a way that adds enduring value and makes it easier for those who come after us to do the same? I can't claim to have the answers, but I do know that Bill Mollison, the founder of the Permaculture movement, was on to something when he said, "Although the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple." As Mollison pointed out, these solutions require working with, rather than against nature; engaging in protracted, thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thought- less action; looking at complex systems in all their functions, rather than asking only one yield of them; and allowing these systems to demonstrate their own evolutions. In a nut- shell, what he prescribed is a lot more whole systems think- ing, adaptive management, and nature-based solutions. To that end, I'm delighted to report that SMA just conclud- ed another wildly successful Municipal Forestry Institute. This was the 16 th year of our program, and it focused largely on cultivating Level 5 leaders who are able to face the bru- tal facts and maintain focus and momentum while facing adversity in order to transition themselves and their orga- nizations from good to great. Heartfelt thanks to the entire MFI Planning Committee and Teaching Cadre for keeping this hugely impactful leadership program alive and well! Additionally, I'm so happy to report that our SMA 57 th Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on November 15-16, 2021 is still "a go" despite the best efforts of the Delta variant to scuttle the event. We've secured a fantastic line-up of pre- senters who will explore the various connections between urban trees and human health/wellbeing. It will be a won- derful opportunity to share ideas, reconnect with colleagues, and bolster our thriving community of urban forestry leaders.

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