City Trees

10 CityTREES Ever feel like you can't see the urban forest for the trees? Get the wide angle view through the eyes of your colleagues! The Arborist Exchange Program offers municipal foresters, utility arborists, and tree non-profit managers around the world the opportunity to engage with colleagues and experience urban forestry challenges and successes in varying political and cultural settings. Participants will spend one week together in each other's community learning about their jobs and how challenges are met under differing circumstances and with differing goals. Actual dates will be chosen by the participants. Exchanges include social time as well as working time. Partners are encouraged to host each other, but one-way exchanges are also acceptable. Cross-organizational exchanges are encouraged. Travel expenses are reimbursable. Local exchanges are also considered. Local exchanges may be less than one week. Since 2003, arborists from the United States, Canada, Slovenia, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, Italy, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have participated in the program. Here's what some of them have to say: "You get to see the same things, the same problems, but from a different perspective, through the eyes of someone doing the same job as you. For me it gave me a sense of detachment—a sort of arborist out–of–body experience, from which I could observe and learn." — Andy McCutcheon, 2006 "The exchange far surpassed my expectations. Not only did I have glorious weather—more representative of a southern California spring than winter—but the friendships I developed are of immeasurable value to me. For me, the exchange was more valuable than any conference I've attended in my 16 years of practicing urban forestry." — John McNeil, 2005 "With everyone I talked to, rode along with, or learned from, I noticed one commonality: passion. Passion to inspire the young, to maximize tree survival, to increase canopy—but perhaps most importantly, true passion for the people and trees of Washington DC." — Matthew Stephens, 2015 You will have the opportunity to: • Dig deep into urban forestry as seen by another municipal arborist, utility arborist, or non-profit professional. • Understand tree management from another seat, and test your assumptions. • Share successful collaborative projects between municipal and utility arborists. • Experience peer-to-peer learning not offered anywhere else. • Learn new techniques and solutions to shared challenges. • Expand your professional network. • Share your successes and promote your program. Arborist Exchange Program The Arborist Exchange Program is a partnership between the Society of Municipal Arborists, the Utility Arborist Association, the Alliance for Community Trees, and the Arbor Day Foundation. To learn more about the Arborist Exchange Program and to apply, visit: www.urban-forestry.com Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

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