S UTHERN ISA SOUTHERN ISA
Message to the Membership
Hallie Dozier, Southern Chapter President
Oh, yes, it is summertime. Whew! It’s another hot one. Old records are being broken and new records are being set every day. And temperature, fires, drought, and tropical systems are keeping us all busy doing what we do – caring for urban and community trees and forests. Here at the Southern Chapter, we continue the effort to expand public awareness of how critically important trees are across our geographical region, and we continue to encourage and support young scholars seeking to grow personally and professionally in our industry.
Your Southern Chapter membership and/or ISA credentials verify to others your skills, knowledge, professionalism, and dedication as a tree care specialist in service to your communities. You stand apart from your competition and offer your clients the highest level of service. This is what you do, trees. And as a Chapter, we are here to provide opportunities for you to grow in your profession as you continue the work of promoting trees and tree care in your communities.
We are fortunate to live in such a heavily forested region as the southeastern USA. That said, rapid expansion of urbanized land area (the transformation of forest and other land uses to urban use) is found within every state and territory within the Southern Chapter. This is especially true in the Carolinas and Tennessee where populations are growing rapidly and where urbanization occurs primarily in forested or once-forested areas. As urban land area increases, so does the need for establishing, expanding, and maintaining urban and community forests. After all, these are the places where most of us live, and we all know that we need trees to live well.
More people and larger cities pose challenges that can be addressed, in part, with larger, healthier, more resilient urban and community forests. But getting there also poses challenges. Where will the trees go? Who will tend to them? Who will pay? What is the ideal canopy cover? How do you keep an urban forest healthy? And these questions feel more urgent in the face of climate warming and the resulting extreme weather events that do more and more damage to the trees we already have in our communities. We keepers of urban trees and community forests stand poised to respond to the demand for excellent work, professionalism, and innovation to serve our communities. We stand poised to – as Dr. Coder might say – do better.
I look forward to seeing you over the next several months. Please reach out to me anytime to see how you can join in this effort, perhaps as a volunteer, potential board member, or if you have a need or concern the Chapter may address. Together we can continue to do better.
Southern Chapter Report
by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director
Well, I guess the “some like it hot” adage is appropriate these days. I know many of you are boiling in the heat and working to clean up a huge amount of storm damage. Be safe and keep the safety of your fellow arborists in mind as well.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t give you yet another reminder to mark your calendars for next year’s conference which is set for the week of April 5-11, 2025, in Memphis, TN. It will be a very full week of arborness! Our Tree Climbing Championships will be SaturdaySunday, April 5-6, pre-conference workshops will take place Monday-Wednesday, April 7-9; and the primary educational sessions will be Thursday-Friday, April 10-11.
Please note these dates which reflect schedule change!
You will also find an ad dedicated to a brand new set of webinars that we are offering free to members. We have several July and August dates on tap with an excellent lineup of topics and presenters. All of the sessions are mid-day lunch & learn webinars and provide 1 ISA CEU. These events are another example of cooperative efforts among ISA chapters to provide the latest information for professional arborists.
The Tree Risk Qualification (TRAQ) courses continue to grow in size. We just finalized the roster for a full class of 40 arborists in Greenville, SC, and have another expanded course set for September 17-19 in Charlotte, NC. A live renewal course will take place on September 16 in Charlotte. The virtual renewal class on August 7 has filled and is now closed. The next available virtual renewal will be November 6. We offer these quarterly on the first Wednesday of February, May, August, and November. If you have the TRAQ credential, be sure to check your renewal date, and sign up for a renewal course. You can attend a course anytime within the 18 months prior to your expiration. Check the website for information about TRAQ class dates and locations. And speaking of TRAQ, I just had an opportunity to do a course in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sounds like a great vacation, but I will admit that it was a rough three days in the heat and humidity. Same as we experience in the South! Arboriculture is ramping up big time in Puerto Rico. Check out the article in this edition of the newsletter for more about that. Your Southern Chapter Board of Directors will be meeting in August in Atlanta before attending the ISA Leadership Workshop which will be held the day before the ISA Conference celebrating 100 years of ISA. New and experienced board members benefit from the ISA Leadership Workshop and learn skills needed for effective board operations. We are lucky to have a dedicated board that works to serve you and more than 1,600 additional members!
Check out the Southern Chapter’s online awards page for an impressive list of honorees, award criteria descriptions, and nomination form.
The big reveal
1
by Chris Diffley, Southern Chapter President-Elect
A few months ago, a colleague asked me to look at a tree with him. Not a big deal. We send each other pictures of interesting trees all the time (because this is what tree people do), but he really wanted me to see this one in person. It had experienced a failure in a recent storm and had some unique challenges and features. Dope, what else are you going to do on a Friday?
Upon first driving up, I saw that the tree was massive and the lack of interior branches explained why a failure may have occurred. But otherwise, no alarm bells.
3
As I came around to the backyard, the failure point was of concern, but there was still nothing surprising given the age and evidence of poor pruning in the past.
2
When I walked up a little closer, I noticed that it had been topped some years ago, but the tree seemed to have recovered from it and showed no signs of stress.
Then he gave me the big reveal.
We’re dorks, so he had me wait to turn around and look when we were fully behind it.
It was interesting to see a tree experience the life cycle in an urban environment. Topped at some point. Then lion-tailed. Then ignored for a few decades. Experienced a significant failure along the way in the crown. Then forgotten again till another failure caused enough concern to consider removal.
Additionally fascinating was the vitality despite the structural issues. The lack of fungal issues common to our area along the roots and trunk such as Phytophthora, Armillaria, Pseudoinonotus dryadeus, etc … was surprising, and likely gave the tree an opportunity to stick around for a while longer.
In all, a fun tree to examine, and a perfect way to end the workday before grabbing a couple drinks and talking about trees some more.
TREE Fund news
Spring cycle grant awardees
Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) is proud to announce its grant awardees from the spring 2024 application cycle.
Two grants have been awarded from the spring application cycle, with awardee’s projects focusing on aiding nurseries and vegetation management.
The Barborinas Family Fund Grant, which supports work with the study of the processes of the nursery industry with a focus on root-system and above-ground structures was awarded to NVK Nurseries and Mr. Ryan Munroe for their project, “Improving Tree Root Quality from Seedling to Finished Tree” in the amount of $10,000.
The Utility Arborist Research Fund Grant (UARF), established in 2010 with the Utility Arborist Association, supports work with real importance and benefit to utility tree care professionals. The 2024 UARF Grant was awarded to West Virginia University and Dr. Paul Kinder, Jr., for their project, “Improving Future Utility Vegetation Management Options by Developing a Public Collection of Open-Source Annotated Machine Learning Data Archive” in the amount of $50,000.
TREE Fund’s next grant application cycle will be in fall 2024, with applications being accepted between August 1 and October 1, and six grant opportunities available. More information on the grants available and the application process can be found here.
Student scholarship awardees
Six scholarships have been awarded from TREE Fund’s spring application cycle, which received 29 student applications. Each scholarship is worth $5,000. Of the six scholarships given, two were for the Robert Felix Memorial Scholarship and one each for the Bonnie Appleton Memorial Scholarship, John Wright Memorial Scholarship, Will Nutter Memorial Scholarship, and Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship.
The Robert Felix Memorial Scholarship which supports college students studying arboriculture, urban forestry, or related fields with the intention of entering arboriculture was awarded to two students, Earielle London of Southern University (LA) and A&M College and Taylor Law of Portland Community College (OR).
The Bonnie Appleton Memorial Scholarship which supports college students studying arboriculture, urban forestry, horticulture, nursery management, or a related field with the intention of becoming a professional in one of these fields was awarded to Jakob Van Berkom of South Dakota State University.
The John Wright Memorial Scholarship which supports high school seniors and returning college students pursuing careers related to arboriculture was awarded to Bailey Nez of Dartmouth College (NH).
The Will Nutter Memorial Scholarship which supports the utility forestry and arboriculture industry by helping college students interested in those fields achieve high academic goals without accumulating burdensome debt was awarded to Gabriel Koelzer of West Virginia University.
The Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship which supports female college students enrolled in a program related to the practice of arboriculture and urban forestry was awarded to Alexandra Cseri of the University of Rhode Island.
TREE Fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support scientific discovery and dissemination of new knowledge in the fields of arboriculture and urban forestry. TREE Fund promotes scientific inquiry designed to benefit commercial, residential, utility and consulting arborists, urban foresters, and other professionals in related fields in their shared work to create, support, and sustain vibrant urban canopies. TREE Fund offers nine grants and six scholarships each year. More information can be found at www.treefund.org
Arboriculture is HOT in Puerto Rico!
by Skip Kincaid, Southern Chapter Executive Director
When the Board of Directors gained a new member from Puerto Rico a few years ago, I had no idea how busy he would be!
Christian Torres Santana was appointed to fill a vacant spot on the board, then elected to a full term in 2023. During his time as a board member, he has hosted two TRAQ courses and a three-day workshop for climbers that included first-aid, aerial rescue, and electrical hazards awareness.
His timing and our timing as Southern Chapter couldn’t have been better. Arboriculture is growing in Puerto Rico, in large part due to the rebuild of their electric infrastructure, but also because of the increase in awareness of professional arboriculture. New members, new certifications, and new qualifications are common every month. There’s an eagerness and dedication to being on top of the current science and practice. In the utility sector alone, the utility LUMA has dedicated itself to reducing outages by 45% by clearing vegetation along 16,000 miles of powerlines. To meet this goal, trained arborists are needed ... and in big numbers.
Just prior to teaching a TRAQ course in Puerto Rico in June, I was able to accompany the North American State Foresters –Urban Forestry Working Group on a tour they organized of arboriculture in Puerto Rico. Local urban forestry leader, Magaly Figueroa Vazquez, hosted the meeting of this group and organized the tour. She is the Program Manager with the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry and International Institute of Tropical Forestry in San Juan. And based on discussions with her, she is busy balancing many tasks that include protecting and enhancing the urban forests of Puerto Rico. I’m hopeful that the Southern Chapter and USDA Forest Service can work together to bring more training and workshops for arborists there.
Challenges in Puerto Rico are very similar to what many urban forests deal with. Protecting green spaces in and around urban centers is a strong focus. Our visit to San Patricio Urban Forest provided a great example of this. San Patricio covers about 70 acres in San Juan and is an example of 1 of 20 urban forests that make up the public forest system in Puerto Rico. You can learn
more about this gem here. Aerial views provide ample evidence of the importance of areas like this to the health of Puerto Rico.
This territory that is part of the Southern Chapter will likely continue to be one of the fastest-growing regions in terms of membership and educational demands. There are challenges to meeting this demand. While language is one consideration, there is also the distance to travel to provide live learning. ISA Southern Chapter will continue to serve this region, the same as every other state in our Chapter boundaries. And with a dedicated board member, I’m confident this will happen!
TOP: NASF State Foresters - Urban Forestry Working Group at San Patricio.
BOTTOM: Aerial Photo (WIKI) of San Patricio.
Trees4AL tree planting grant
APPLY NOW! The Alabama Forestry Commission, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, announces the opening of “Trees4AL,” a match-free, tree planting grant with awards ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 for disadvantaged areas in Alabama. This grant is part of Alabama’s total allocation of $750,000 over four years from the $1.5 billion dollar investment in urban and community forestry through the Inflation Reduction Act. Those eligible to apply are local governments, nonprofit organizations meeting section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, tribal entities, and educational institutions.
The request for applications (RFA) opened on Monday, July 1, and closes on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 5:00 pm CDT. Funds MUST be used in Alabama for disadvantaged communities as identified at the time of application by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) which may be found here. The RFA can be found here. Look for a paragraph mid-page describing the grant information in detail.
Projects meeting the grant criteria qualify for the matching funds waiver and awardees will be fully reimbursed for the tree planting. Indirect costs may also be included and up to 20% of the grant’s total value may be applied to administrative costs. Limited site preparation and concrete removal are allowed. This is a rare opportunity to increase an area’s tree canopy, providing shade, cleaning air and water, improving aesthetics, and generating a positive economic impact at a very low cost. Please contact Dale Dickens, the Urban Forestry Coordinator for the Alabama Forestry Commission, at dale.dickens@forestry.alabama.gov or (334) 467-7971 with any questions.
Component Council (CC) update
by David Vandergriff, Component Council Representative (CCR)
Last year, the ISA Board of Directors (ISA BOD) began a discussion about revamping the Council of Representatives (CoR) due to low participation from CoR members and a concern that CoR was not accomplishing what the ISA BOD had envisioned. The ISA BOD sought input from CoR about changes the ISA BOD was considering and shared with us a comment that resonated with them: “A stronger ISA is created by stronger chapters and components. Communication and a sense of involvement are critical.”
I received and evaluated the specifics of the changes and feel they are positive overall and will allow us a greater opportunity to engage with the ISA BOD on strategic issues. In addition, the CoR will now be known as the Component Council (CC).
There will no longer be an ISA staff intermediary between the ISA BOD and the CC, which is a substantial operational change. The direct liaison will now be Jessica Sanders, PhD, and the CC board members will be John Coles, Susan Day, PhD; Carlos Llanos; and Samuel Ma. Each member represents various parts of the world.
Our Board of Directors and I will be working to update our bylaws to reflect these changes as well as providing input to the ISA BOD. If you have any questions or concerns about the CC or the information described here, please reach out to me
Functions of the Component Council (CC):
• Two-way communication between the ISA BOD and the Southern Chapter board;
• Strategic in nature;
• Building connections between ISA BOD and CC board members as well as between the CC Representatives themselves; and
• Fostering understanding and feedback between ISA BOD and Component Council Representatives.
The Component Council is comprised of one voting member from each ISA Chapter, Professional Affiliate, and the Credentialing Council. It also includes non-voting members from each of ISA’s Associate Organizations and the TREE Fund. Click here to see more information about the CC on the ISA website.
Scholarship Program
Scholarships up to $2,000 for students attending 2-year and 4-year college or university. MAY 1 DEADLINE
www.isasouthern.org/scholarship
A scholarship is also available to assist with costs for a master’s student to attend ISA Southern conference.
JANUARY 31 DEADLINE
APRIL 7–13, 2025
Pre-Conference Events
Monday–Wednesday, April 7–9
• Pruning Workshop (2.5 days)
• TRAQ Course (2.5 days)
Wednesday, April 9
• Trees & The Law (morning)
• ISA Certification Exams (afternoon)
Conference & Trade Show
Wednesday, April 9
Conference begins at 4:30 pm
President’s Reception Trade Show
Thursday & Friday, April 10–11
Educational Sessions Trade Show
Addtional events may be added after the publication of this ad. Registration will open on September 16.
Pre-Conference Events
Tree Academy
APRIL 7–13, 2025
Pre-Conference Events
Tree Climbing Competition
Monday–Wednesday, April 7–9
• Pruning Workshop (2.5 days)
Saturday, April 12
Breakfast & Lunch included each day Conference ends at 2:00 pm on April 11.
Conference & Trade Show
Conference & Trade Show
Wednesday, April 9
Conference begins at 4:30 pm
Saturday, April 5 NEW DATE!
Monday–Wednesday, April 7–9
• TRAQ Course (2.5 days)
Preliminary Competitions
• Pruning Workshop (2.5 days)
• Trade Show & Sponsorship bookings open on August 1.
Wednesday, April 9
Conference begins at 4:30 pm
President’s Reception Trade Show
Wednesday, April 9
• TRAQ Course (2.5 days)
• Workshop & Conference registration opens on September 16.
Sunday, April 6 NEW DATE!
Sunday, April 13
• Trees & The Law (morning)
Masters’ Challenge
Wednesday, April 9
• ISA Certification Exams (afternoon)
• Trees & The Law (morning)
• ISA Certification Exams (afternoon)
Addtional events may be added after the publication of this ad. Registration will open on September 16.
Competitor & Volunteer Registration will open in December.
Pre-Conference Events
Addtional events may be added after the publication of this ad. Registration will open on September 16.
Tree Climbing Competition
Monday–Wednesday, April 7–9
President’s Reception Trade Show
Thursday & Friday, April 10–11
Educational Sessions Trade Show
Thursday & Friday, April 10–11
Tree Academy
Educational Sessions Trade Show
Tree Academy
Conference & Trade Show
Breakfast & Lunch included each day Conference ends at 2:00 pm on April 11.
Breakfast & Lunch included each day Conference ends at 2:00 pm on April 11.
Wednesday, April 9
• Pruning Workshop (2.5 days)
Saturday, April 12
Tree Climbing Competition
• Trade Show & Sponsorship bookings open on August 1.
Conference begins at 4:30 pm
Preliminary Competitions
• TRAQ Course (2.5 days)
Saturday, April 12
• Trade Show & Sponsorship bookings open on August 1.
President’s Reception Trade Show
Preliminary Competitions
Sunday, April 13
Wednesday, April 9
Masters’ Challenge
• Trees & The Law (morning)
Sunday, April 13
• ISA Certification Exams (afternoon)
Masters’ Challenge
Competitor & Volunteer Registration will open in December.
Addtional events may be added after the publication of this ad. Registration will open on September 16.
Competitor & Volunteer Registration will open in December.
Tree Climbing Competition
Saturday, April 12
• Workshop & Conference registration opens on September 16.
• Workshop & Conference registration opens on September 16. Learn
Thursday & Friday, April 10–11
Educational Sessions Trade Show
Tree Academy
Breakfast & Lunch included each day Conference ends at 2:00 pm on April 11.
• Trade Show & Sponsorship bookings open on August 1.
Upcoming Events & CEU Opportunities
in the Southern Chapter Region
Check out all the new CEU opportunities listed in the next few pages of this publication. This list is kept current on the Southern Chapter website as well. Save the site to your “favorites” as an easy access portal for events and registration information. If you know of opportunities we haven’t listed, please share! Email skincaid@isasouthern.org and we’ll get it posted.
We have worked hard to partner with organizations to be sure you get a wide range of opportunities to stay sharp. This list contains upcoming events that we are aware of. All the courses and conferences listed provide opportunities to earn ISA CEUs that help you maintain your ISA certifications. ISA is also offering no-cost quizzes for articles to give you more opportunities to earn CEUs.
Webinar Developers and Hosts
TREE Fund
Urban Forestry Today
Forestry Webinars
Urban Forest Connections USDA Forest Service
Utility Arborist Association
North Carolina Urban Forest Council
Arborjet Webinars
Professional Arborists Association of MS (PAAM)
Alabama Extension
Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Webinars
the New Schedule!
Educational Events Most events are approved for ISA CEUs. Check each registration site for details.
July 24, 2024
Noon-1:00pm EASTERN PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS (PGRs) IN TREE CARE
WEBINAR (Southern Chapter partnership)
Presenter: Blake Thilmony, R&D Project Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience
This is another edition in our series of webinars offered in cooperation with the ISA Michigan Chapter. This series of webinars is likely going to be the easiest and most informative CEU events you attend. When you want to true science about PGRs, you get it from the person that knows the best! Blake Thilmony is on the research team at Rainbow Ecoscience and knows this topic well. Information and registration info HERE.
July 29-31, 2024
CLASS IS FULL - REGISTRATION IS CLOSED TRAQ 3-DAY COURSE FOR NEW APPLICANTS Greenville, SC
July 31, 2024
Noon-1:00pm EASTERN PRUNING FOR PERFORMANCE AND PREVENTION
WEBINAR (Southern Chapter partnership)
Presenter: Lindsey Purcell
This is another edition in our series of webinars offered in cooperation with other chapters. Lindsey is a national leader when it comes to the science of pruning and proven techniques for success. Information and registration info HERE
August 7, 2024
CLASS IS FULL - REGISTRATION IS CLOSED TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)
August 11-14, 2024
ISA ANNUAL CONFERENCE - Celebrate 100 years of ISA! Atlanta Registration information HERE
Educational Events (continued)
August 20, 2024
Noon-1:00pm EASTERN APPRAISING TREE LOSSES FOR INSURANCE ADJUSTERS
WEBINAR (Southern Chapter partnership)
Presenter: James Komen, Consulting Arborist, Class One Arboriculture
This is another edition in our series of webinars offered in cooperation with the ISA Michigan Chapter. Mr. Koman is a dynamic presenter with an intense and researched knowledge of tree appraisal and trees and the law. He provides provides reports and expert witness testimony regularly and is a high-demand presenter in the world of arboriculture. Information and registration info HERE.
August 21, 2024
3:30pm-7:30pm Central
ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST, UTILITY SPECIALIST, MUNICIPAL SPECIALIST EXAM
Fayetteville, AR
ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist written exams are scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Applicants for each exam must register by August 5, 2024, at the ISA website. If you’re new to ISA, you’ll need to create an ISA profile at creating or logging in to your ISA account. Registering for an exam includes 2 steps. First, you must complete an application for your selected credential. On your ISA profile, find the link “Apply for an ISA Certification.” Complete the application for your selected credential. Second, once the application is submitted and approved by ISA, you can register for an exam. Be sure to submit your application well in advance of registering for an exam as it can take several weeks to get a submitted application approved.
August 21, 2024
Noon-1:00pm EASTERN SPOTTED LANTERNFLY (SLF): THREATS AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES WEBINAR
(Southern Chapter partnership)
Presenter: Mark Ware, Arborologist, Rainbow Ecoscience
This is another edition in our series of webinars offered in cooperation with the ISA Michigan Chapter. Many of us are located in areas that are on the cusp of SLF invasion. Learn what to look for, why to look for it, and how to manage it. Information and registration info HERE
August 29, 2024
Noon-1:00pm EASTERN REHABILITATING DROUGHT STRESSED TREES WEBINAR (Southern Chapter partnership)
Presenter: Emmett Muennink, Arborjet/Ecologel
This is another edition in our series of webinars offered in cooperation with several other chapters. Learn the impact of severe drought on trees, identify symptoms, and discuss prevention, management and recovery strategies for a the most valuable plants in the landscape. We will cover various plant health care products and application techniques to consider when treating drought-stricken trees. Topics include: Symptoms of drought stress; Physiological impacts related to drought; and Management and recovery strategies for trees impacted by drought. Information and registration info HERE.
September 4-5, 2024
9:00am-4:00pm Eastern
CERTIFIED ARBORIST REVIEW COURSE
Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center Columbia, SC
Instructor: Jimmy Walters
ISA Southern Chapter and the South Carolina Forestry Commission will host a 2-day review course for arborists wanting to prepare for the certified arborist exam or just want a thorough review. Lunch is provided each day. Note that an exam is scheduled for Friday September 6 at this location. Registering for the prep course does not include registration for the exam. See the info for the exam listed below for September 6. Information and registration for the prep course is available HERE
September 6, 2024
8:30am-Noon Eastern
ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST, UTILITY SPECIALIST, MUNICIPAL SPECIALIST EXAM
Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center Columbia, SC
ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, and Municipal Specialist written exams are scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2024. Applicants for each exam must register by August 21, 2024, at the ISA website. If you’re new to ISA, you’ll need to create an ISA profile at creating or logging in to your ISA account. Registering for an exam includes 2 steps. First, you must complete an application for your selected credential. On your ISA profile, find the link “Apply for an ISA Certification.” Complete the application for your selected credential. Second, once the application is submitted and approved by ISA, you can register for an exam. Be sure to submit your application well in advance of registering for an exam as it can take several weeks to get a submitted application approved.
September 16, 2024
TRAQ 1-DAY RENEWAL COURSE
City of Charlotte - General Services Bldg
This is a LIVE in-class renewal option and is only available for those that already have the TRAQ credential and their expiration date occurs within 18 months prior to the date of this course. The course fee includes all fees for the course and exams. The course includes a review session in the morning and both exams in the afternoon. Applicants for the course must register 30 days prior to the session. Register early!! Registration will close when class capacity of 30 is reached or 30 days prior to the course, whichever comes first. If class has filled, you can send us an email and ask to be placed on a waiting list or check for other available dates. Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is between September 16, 2024, and March 16, 2026. If you register for a class date that occurs after your expiration date, you may not be notified of this mistake until 30 days prior to the course. Your registration will be canceled and your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 service fee.
Register HERE for September 16, 2024 Live Renewal Course (Closes August 16, 2024, or when capacity of 30 is reached)
September 17-19, 2024
TRAQ 3-DAY COURSE FOR NEW APPLICANTS
City of Charlotte - General Services Bldg
Please read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” to be very clear about the full course prerequisites and renewal requirements and details about the credential and the courses. Applicants for the either course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Registration will close when class capacity is reached. Register early!! Additional information can be found on the ISA Southern Chapter website
Register HERE for Sept 17-19 TRAQ Course (Closes August 16 or when capacity of 20 is reached)
November 6, 2024
9:00am - 4:00pm Eastern TRAQ RENEWAL VIRTUAL COURSE (online)
Co-hosted event with ISA Southern, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, and Midwestern Chapters. This is a virtual renewal option and is only available for those who already have the TRAQ credential and their expiration date occurs within 18 months prior to the date of this course. The course fee includes all fees for the course and exams. After you attend the course, ISA will send you information about completing the exam process. Please read “Virtual TRAQ Renewal Info for Candidates” to be very clear about the course prerequisites and renewal requirements and details about the
“Safety is a VALUE. If someone classifies it as a priority, I believe they may be in the wrong line of work.”
Joshua Pressley, Account Manager
credential and the courses. Applicants for the course must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend. Registration will close when class capacity is reached. Register early!! If class has filled, you can send us an email and ask to be placed on a waiting list or check for other available dates. Only register for this course if you already have a current TRAQ credential and your TRAQ expiration date is between November 6, 2024, and May 6, 2026. If you register for a class date that occurs after your expiration date, you may not be notified of this mistake until 30 days prior to the course. Your registration will be cancelled and your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 service fee.
Click HERE to Register for November 6, 2024, Renewal Course (Closes October 6, 2024 or when capacity is reached)
November 7-9, 2024 TCI Expo’24
Baltimore, MD
Click here for more information.
April 5-11, 2025 NEW DATES!
Southern Chapter 83rd Annual Conference, Trade Show, and Tree Climbing Championship Memphis, TN
Click here for more information.
OUR STORY IS SAFETY
More than 50 years ago, we published This We Believe, a safety declaration that focused on the well-being of our people, families, and communities. It established safety as a value in our culture, not a mere priority or slogan, and defined safety as a moral obligation that is everyone’s responsibility.
This we still believe.
Learn about Davey’s commitment to safety by scanning the code.
LUNCH n LEARN SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES
LUNCH n LEARN SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES
1 ISA CEU available for each webinar
1 ISA CEU available for each webinar.
All Webinars are Noon- 1:00pm Eastern Time Register at https://www.isasouthern.org/upcoming -events or click on the session title below to register. Once you are registered, you will receive a LOGIN link the day prior to the event. Chapter members can register at reduced rates … always!
All webinars take place from noon - 1:00pm EST. Click on the session title to register. You will receive a link the day before the event. Chapter members can register at reduced rates … always!
July 10
Competing Legal Interests in Street Trees
July 31
July 10, 2024
James Komen Class One Arboriculture
Competing Legal Interests in Street Trees
James Komen – Class One Arboriculture
Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) in Tree Care
July 24, 2024
Blake Thilmony – Rainbow Ecoscience
Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) in Tree Care
Blake Thilmony – Rainbow Ecoscience
July 31, 2024
Pruning for Performance and Prevention
Lindsey Purcell – Lp Consulting LLC
Pruning for Performance and Prevention
Lindsey Purcell – Lp Consulting LLC
August 20
August 20, 2024
Appraising Tree Losses for Insurance Adjusters
Appraising Tree Losses for Insurance Adjusters
James Komen – Class One Arboricultre
James Komen – Class One Arboriculture
August 21
August 21, 2024
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF): Threats and Management Strategies
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF): Threats and Management Strategies
Mar Rainbow Ecoscience
Mark Ware – Rainbow Ecoscience
August 29
August 29, 2024
Rehabilitating Drought Stressed Trees
Rehabilitating Drought Stressed Trees
Emmett Muennink – Arborjet/Ecologel
Emmett Muennink – Arborjet/Ecologel
Partnering ISA Chapters
2024-2025 Southern Chapter Officers
President: Hallie Dozier, LSU AgCenter
President Elect / Treasurer: Chris Diffley, Arborscapes
Vice President: Brian Watkins, Recreation and Park
Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge
Component Council Rep: David Vandergriff, Griff Arbor|Hort
Tree Climbing Championship: Scott Winningham
TREE Fund Liaison: Matt Searels, Eocene Environmental Group
Past President: Matt Searels, Eocene Environmental Group
Media Director and Editor: Sarah Mitchell
Conference Planner: Connie Hilson
Executive Director: Skip Kincaid
Facebook Enjoy daily posts of things to make you think and things to make you laugh.
Threads The Great Unknown. Let’s see what happens here.
LinkedIn Find news, articles, and educational information. This is where green-industry professionals gather.
Instagram Just the jokes, please.
Community
Please share, like, and subscribe to our many social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and now Threads.
Encouragement
Share the word about our scholarship program (application here). Here’s a chance to assist the next generation of green-industry professionals.
Sharing
Connection
Submit a Member Spotlight form about yourself or interview a colleague for a chance to be highlighted in our quarterly newsletter. Please reach out to newsletter@isasouthern.org for the form request and submittal.
Learning
Look for educational opportunities on the Southern Chapter website If you know of opportunities not listed, email us and we’ll post it.
What’s happening in your part of the Southern Chapter? Send in an article for our quarterly newsletter.
2024-2025 State Directors
Alabama: Anne Randle
Green Business Certification, Inc.
Arkansas: Brian Pope
ACRT
Louisiana: Fred Fellner
Mississippi: Steve Dicke
Shady Arbor PLLC
North Carolina: Leslie Moorman Town of Cary
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: Christian W. Torres Santana Coccoloba AgroEnvironnemental Consulting and Coccoloba Nursery
South Carolina: Dena Whitesides
South Carolina Forestry Commission
Tennessee: Hannah Imagine Shaw
SiteOne Landscape Supply
At-Large: Kevin Myers
ACRT
Southern Chapter ISA Website: www.isasouthern.org
Phone: (314) 215-8010
Email: isasouthern@isasouthern.org
Skip Kincaid, Exec. Director 1609 Missouri Avenue St Louis, MO 63104
To contact your State Director, a member of the Executive Board, or Skip Kincaid at the Southern Chapter office, please email isasouthern@isasouthern.org.
Website: www.isasouthern.org
Phone: (314) 215-8010
Email: isasouthern@isasouthern.org