FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Anne Jerutka
Certification Marketing Coordinator
International Society of Arboriculture
217-355-9411, EXT. 207
ajerutka@isa-arbor.com
ISA and U.S. Forest Service to Offer Scholarships
CHAMPAIGN, IL (March 19, 2008)-Honoring its commitment to promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater public awareness of the benefits of trees, the ISA is pleased to offer an ISA Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist scholarship for those willing to share their knowledge with the public. In cooperation with the SMA, and with funding provided by the U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, scholarships will be awarded to cover fees involved in earning the Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist credential.
ISA will cover the cost of the exam, membership to either ISA and local chapter or ISA and SMA, and the Municipal Specialist study guide. In exchange, once the individual has passed the exam, the newly certified arborist/municipal specialist will work with the State Urban Forestry Coordinators to provide a project to the community and educate volunteers, schools and government officials on proper tree care. This grant program is targeted to communities without enough resources to obtain a municipal arborist or urban forester, or where this is not already an ISA Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist working with the local community.
State Urban Forestry Coordinators are vital to the improvement of tree care in many communities. Unfortunately, there are more communities in need of training and education than can be addressed by the resources currently available at the state level. The goal of the program is to provide the opportunity to current Certified Arborists working for a municipality to expand their professional development and in return work with the state urban forestry coordinators to educate communities on proper tree planting and preservation.
Derek Vannice, Director of ISA Certification, says ISA is in a unique position to complete a project of this magnitude due to its strong networks and dedicated volunteers. "We are fortunate to already have individuals that have proven their dedication to the tree care industry and have shown interest in their professional development in municipal arboriculture." said Vannice, "We're hopeful that the word will get out quickly to all municipalities, so that, together, we can help address the lack of resources currently available at the state level and make an impact through the collaboration of the State Urban Forestry Coordinators and the Municipal Specialist Scholarship Applicants that have proven their knowledge and skill necessary to provide valuable services to communities, education and care of the urban forest."
Any ISA Certified Arborist working for a municipality is eligible. Candidates must meet the necessary experience requirement to become a certified arborist/municipal specialist in order to apply and can review ISA's Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist application online at www.isa-arbor.com or by contacting the ISA certification department at cert@isa-arbor.com or (217) 355-9411.
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquarted in Champaign, IL, is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. Offering the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry, ISA has been certifying arborists for more than a decade in order to improve the level of overall knowledge, to develop and implement standardized tree care practices, and to uphold a code of ethics. To learn more about ISA Certification visit www.isa-arbor.com/certification.
|