ISA is introducing new staff members who have joined its team to work on behalf of members and credential holders. In this issue of ISA Today, meet Kristen Cascante, our receptionist, and Marcus Floyd, our communications specialist.

We invite your community to join Tree Cities of the World, an Arbor Day Foundation initiative, and a global network of communities recognized as leaders in the sustainable management of urban trees and forests. Many communities already utilize innovative practices that keep city trees healthy. Now, Tree Cities of the World allows communities to share their successes and learn from others around the world about planting and tending to an urban forest in the community.

Congratulations to Jason Ma from Hong Kong and ZH Hsu from Taiwan, the winners of the 2019 Taiwan International Tree Climbing Competition. Twelve countries participated in the event including Taiwan, the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. The championship was held 29 – 30 June 2019 and coincided with a Tree Protection Fair. 

Here at ISA we are closing out the 2018 – 2019 fiscal year and marking the six-month anniversary in our Atlanta headquarters. As ISA continues to grow and evolve, the hard work, engagement and dedication of members, volunteers, board and committee members, component groups and CoR are essential to the organization and remain important to ISA team members. I want to share a few accomplishments and data points realized since our move from Champaign. 

Tree‐savvy volunteers and arboricultural professionals are a winning combination for the protection of city trees. Volunteers — especially citizen scientists — play an indispensable role in the care of trees in cities nationwide, through planting, stewarding, monitoring, and most importantly, advocating for trees. Citizen scientists are even more effective when supported by trained professionals who can make informed management decisions and have the skills and resources to implement them.

Read the July 2019 issue of TREE Press for leading thoughts from TREE Fund President and CEO J. Eric Smith, the volunteer spotlight on Marina Mattingly and the Carol Stream Rotary Club, and updates about Tour de Trees 2019. Find info about grant applications, upcoming webinars and more.