President's Perspective Summer 2025
President’s Message: Celebrating Connection and Growth in Tucson
Dear Western Chapter Members,
It has been an honor to serve you as president of the WCISA this last year. I have more memories than I can count! I am still on top of the world from the 91st Annual WCISA Conference in Tucson, Arizona. Was that fun or what? Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and supported this year's conference. I am thankful for the knowledge we shared, the trees we planted, and perhaps most importantly, the friendships we continue to grow.
“Unlocking the Urban Forest” during the pre-conference woodworking workshop was led by Andy Trotter and Dr. James Downer, who taught attendees the value of recycling trees and the benefits. Sawdust was flying! Working together the WCISA, ACTC, and the AZ Forest Service ignited the WIA committee with the “Women in Arboriculture Experience,” a full day climbing event at Fort Lowell Park.
The Britton Fund Ride started early. The riders’ first stop was at Fort Lowell Park to plant 15 trees in “Cottonwood Lane” in bike shoes! I’ve heard it is equivalent to high heels. Next stop was Bloom Elementary School, where Timmy Womack and the riders taught children how to plant a tree. The riders proceeded to Saguaro National Park and beyond. I was pretty excited when my family members, daughter Lisa, son-in-law Paul, and grandpuppy Sneakers joined the group.
The conference was headlined by Dr. Kevin Smith, whose keynote inspired us to think deeply about “How Trees Resist Heat and Drought Stress.” When I approached him in Atlanta at the ISA 100 year Celebration, he told me how much he has enjoyed WCISA over the years. I was honored he accepted my request to come to Tucson. So many incredible speakers and events filled the 3 days.
At every event, whatever it was – climbing cutting wood slabs, birdwatching and sharing a meal, or chatting on the bus to a tree ring lab – friendships were made. Who did you meet at the conference? If you met someone new, follow through. Reach out! Make a connection.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a member of the Western Chapter isn’t just the education, it’s the friendships I have made along the way. I feel like I am part of a community, the WCISA family. Friendship and connection are at the heart of any strong professional organization.
I have asked few things of you this year. I have encouraged you to branch out to others and share the importance of what we do with everyone. We need to continue to promote the value and importance of professional arboriculture and urban forestry, expand our network, and advocate for sustainable tree care education and practices. We are entrusted with the stewardship of trees and urban forests, and the decisions we make today will resonate for generations. We need to inspire the next generation of arborists who will carry this torch forward. We need to make a difference!
I encouraged all of you to continue to advance your careers in arboriculture by committing yourself to continuous learning and professional development. Invest in yourself! Set a worthy goal that will help you enhance your skills, build self-confidence and satisfaction. You will be proud and feel good about yourself!
I want you to remember the two values that make our industry strong: integrity and trust. Integrity is more than just doing the right thing when others are watching, it’s about making the right choices even when no one will ever know. Integrity means owning our mistakes, being transparent in our decisions, and holding ourselves accountable to the commitments we make. Trust is earned through honesty, consistency, transparency, and follow-through. I encourage each of you to reflect on how we can strengthen trust in our industry through our daily actions.
Most important is friendship. Reach out and make a friend.
Warm regards,
Sarah Maitland