City Trees

Without Mycorrhiza With Mycorrhiza Soil MoiSt ™ PolyMer & Mycorrhizal ProductS: the Beauty of doing More with leSS. www.soilmoist.com 1-800-962-4010 © 2016 JRM Chemical, Inc. Grow stronger, more vibrant plants and improve soil conditions, while saving time and money. Soil Moist water management products help keep your landscape healthy and beautiful, with less maintenance: • Reduces plant watering by 50% • Ideal for trees, shrubs, beds & containers • Reduces plant stress and maintenance • Boosts root development, increasing growth rates • Improves soil porosity • Watering lasts up to 50% longer for 3-5 years • Eco-safe and easy to use • Available in a variety of forms, formulas & custom blends Learn more today at: National Arena "Thank God for the United States Forest Service." I know I speak for many Canadian municipalities in expressing this sentiment for their assistance from the USFS over the years. From their help quantifying the benefits of trees through the i-Tree tools to technical assistance dealing with oak decline, we feel a deep gratitude to the USFS. To the best of my knowledge there does not exist, at our national level, a Canadian equivalent to the USFS urban and community forestry program. President of Tree Canada Mike Rosen picked up a stone and carried it when he chose to lead his organi- zation into the national arena created by this vacuum. Based in Ottawa, Mike and his team have grown Tree Canada into the steward of the Canadian Urban Forest Network, Strategy, and Conference. Advocating and building coalitions with a diverse network across this nation, Tree Canada has engaged Canadians about the value of urban trees. One result of Mike's leadership was an act by parliament in Ottawa to formally cele- brate National Tree Day, held on the fourth Thursday each September since 2011. A key attribute all these great individuals have in com- mon, I believe, is this: they did not wait for someone to follow them. By choosing to pick up a stone and carry it, they inspired the next person. They built coalitions and advocated and spent their political capital wisely. In the politics of trees, they influenced the decision-mak- ing process which ultimately helped move their urban forestry programs from good to great. They are effective leaders because they selflessly served their communities. As aspiring leaders I think you should look to these mentors and others like them to recognize that your opportunities are right here, right now. If you choose to cultivate the right attitude and right vision, refine your leadership tools, and respect your personal integrity and reputation, you will become an effective influencer. As you leave the University of Toronto and transition into the full-time workplace, you will regularly interact with a variety of people in a variety of arenas in the politics of trees. In doing so, my hope for you is that you will prepare yourself to become an effective leader and serve without ego to be your best for the world. I look forward to learning about your accomplishments in the years to come. A B built coalitions …and spent their political capital wisely

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