I always enjoy the field experiences, so definitely
was the pre-conference workshop/tour, where
Seattle's Carkeek Park and the stormwater
positively impacted the Park. We saw and
normally see as a tourist, and it was awesome
ming upstream so close to where we were
On the pre-conference tour bus, we sat behind
Forester Shane McQuillan and got to hear
home town. I was happy to see that the City
Department received the Legacy Project
One idea from the SMA conference that sticks
Ambassadors program in Jersey City, New
the Community to Elevate City Forestry talk.
thing similar going here but have been met
out how the certificate that participants receive
resume, and I'm using that as a selling point
—Terri-Ann Koike, Administrative Specialist
Forestry, Department of Parks and Recreation,
14 CityTREES
SMA conference presenter and silent auction committee chair Kieran Hunt
poses at the SMA display table. Kieran is Digital Engagement Lead with
Asplundh's Digital Innovation Team. Photo by Adelayde Rivas Sotelo
I loved being in a place like Seattle
that has a lot of character and is
unique. Being centrally located to
many of Seattle's historical and inter-
esting sites made outings fun, and
it increased the energy of the con-
ference. Hearing peer communities'
trends, struggles, and wins is always
helpful. It triggers ideas and moti-
vates me in my role. Like Terri, I found
Kieran's presentation on Leveraging
the Community to Elevate City Forestry
very helpful for me in my own city!
At the SMA Conference, I was able
to reestablish networking relation-
ships and friendships with forestry
supervisors from Lombard, Illinois and
Honolulu, Hawaii. Where else would
a city Forester from South Carolina
get an opportunity to get to know and
learn from them?! Pretty cool, right?!
—Matt Clinton, City Forester, City
of Rock Hill, South Carolina
Three 2022 MFI grads reunite during the SMA and Partners in
Community Forestry conference: (from left) Preston Brooks, Lee
Scottlorde, and Juan Burciaga. Photo by Hannah Letinich
