Ohio Region 1 Urban Forester Alistair Reynolds, right, explains the theoretical aspects of planting and pruning new trees to Tree Commission Academy members, left to right, Christo Wallace, Amberley Village; Charlene Guingrith, Celina; and Derek Richards, Sidney.
Courtesy photo
SIDNEY — Representatives from municipalities across Ohio gathered in Sidney recently for a two-day introduction to urban forestry. The Tree Commission Academy is a series of four classes that are designed to help local volunteers and decision-makers understand the basics of urban forestry and the vital role they can play in the management of urban trees as a public resource.
In addition to Sidney, representatives from Amberley Village, Bowling Green, Carey, Celina, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Columbus, Fairborn, Franklin, Geneva, Madeira, Marysville, Obetz, Pleasant Hill, Wapakoneta and Wilmington traveled to Sidney to attend the two-day academy. The attendees will return to Sidney in March for another two-day session.
The Ohio Division of Forestry created the Tree Commission Academy to provide formal training to volunteer tree commissioners, public managers, and elected officials throughout Ohio. The Academy’s objective is to produce comfortable, confident, and knowledgeable “graduates” capable of helping their community effectively meet its urban forestry mission.
Sidney Tree Board Member Joyce Reier made sure that breakfast and lunch were available for the attendees. Reier, a Tree Commission Academy graduate who also works at The Spot, made certain that none of the members of the class were hungry.
“The Tree Commission Academy is an excellent opportunity for tree boards, public managers, and elected officials to learn the benefits of trees and how to properly manage and sustain their urban forests,” Sidney Arborist and Street Superintendent Brian Green stated. “it is just one of the reasons I encouraged Derek Richards to attend.”
Richards is employed by the city of Sidney Street Department as an Equipment Operator I. The Street Department is tasked with the care of the trees along Sidney’s streets.
City Council’s Tree Board Representative Mike Barhorst, also a graduate of the Tree Commission Academy and mayor when Sidney became a Tree City in 1989, welcomed this year’s class to Sidney.
“As I travel Ohio visiting municipal officials on behalf of the Ohio Municipal League, I encourage both mayors and municipal officials to become members of Tree City USA,” Barhorst said. “The benefits to communities are immeasurable.”
This is the second time Sidney has hosted freshman through senior level Tree Commission Academy classes. “We were delighted that Sidney was willing to host again this year,” said Ohio Region 5 Urban Forester Wendi Van Buren. “I’ve always felt especially at home here.”
