#AUFEdSummit19
Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Educators' Symposium & Summit
The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois
May 19-22, 2019
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Tuesday & Wednesday Workshops
"Experiential Learning in Arboriculture Education: Service Learning Projects and Capstone Courses at the Post-Secondary Level"
Facilitated by: Gary Johnson (University of Minnesota), Rich Hauer (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
Additional contributors: Sara Barron (University of British Columbia), Chris Sass (University of Kentucky), Rick Harper (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Jason Gordon (Mississippi State University)
Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 pm
Service-learning (aka, community-engaged learning, applied learning, “hands-on” learning). A participatory style of learning experience that benefits students (and faculty) academically, professionally and personally.
Capstone Course. A culminating educational model for a course of study that integrates professional experiences with academic education/training. Capstone courses are designed to be unique to a particular course of study, e.g., natural resources, environmental policy, urban forestry.
Is a college degree enough? Maybe. Does the classic teaching model of lectures and examinations adequately prepare students for all professions? Probably not. Have you integrated service-learning and/or capstone course into your arboricultural or urban forestry curricula? Do you have some good ideas or “unsuccesses” that you are willing to share? Or, are you just curious enough to learn more about these educational options? If you’ve answered “YES!” to any of these questions, drop everything and join us in this interactive workshop Tuesday afternoon. This workshop will not be a “talking heads” workshop. We will be examining various successful processes for developing “Trend-safe educational opportunities,” sharing several case studies from various institutions, outlining steps for success, maybe a little role-playing, and helping you walk away with some solid plans to improve or integrate service-learning and capstone courses into your own curricula.
Facilitated by: Gary Johnson (University of Minnesota), Rich Hauer (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
Additional contributors: Sara Barron (University of British Columbia), Chris Sass (University of Kentucky), Rick Harper (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Jason Gordon (Mississippi State University)
Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 pm
Service-learning (aka, community-engaged learning, applied learning, “hands-on” learning). A participatory style of learning experience that benefits students (and faculty) academically, professionally and personally.
Capstone Course. A culminating educational model for a course of study that integrates professional experiences with academic education/training. Capstone courses are designed to be unique to a particular course of study, e.g., natural resources, environmental policy, urban forestry.
Is a college degree enough? Maybe. Does the classic teaching model of lectures and examinations adequately prepare students for all professions? Probably not. Have you integrated service-learning and/or capstone course into your arboricultural or urban forestry curricula? Do you have some good ideas or “unsuccesses” that you are willing to share? Or, are you just curious enough to learn more about these educational options? If you’ve answered “YES!” to any of these questions, drop everything and join us in this interactive workshop Tuesday afternoon. This workshop will not be a “talking heads” workshop. We will be examining various successful processes for developing “Trend-safe educational opportunities,” sharing several case studies from various institutions, outlining steps for success, maybe a little role-playing, and helping you walk away with some solid plans to improve or integrate service-learning and capstone courses into your own curricula.
"Engaging the Next Generation: Increasing K-12 Interest in Urban Trees and Forests"
Facilitator: Holly Campbell (Southern Region Extension Forestry)
Additional contributors: Warren Hoselton (Pricklethorn Productions), Jaclyn Stallard (Project Learning Tree), Meghan Bowe (Environmental Education Association of Illinois), Beattra Wilson (US Forest Service)
Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 pm
Nature-deficiency in youth has been well-documented. Not only does interaction with nature have numerous marked health benefits, but it instills a deep appreciation and will often generate interest in nature-based careers like arboriculture and urban forestry (A&UF). One of today’s key A&UF workforce challenges is a need to generate youth interest in the field prior to high school graduation. Identifying the best ways to achieve this is the next step and, as educators, your input is greatly appreciated. During this interactive workshop, participants will collectively reflect on and examine ways to not only inform but also inspire the next generation of arborists and urban foresters. Through facilitated activities, session participants will help recommend, explore, and rank the types of programs and resources that may best introduce youth to A&UF. The information generated will be used to support a national effort to enhance A&UF youth education. Participants will also learn about several successful programs. You will meet Professor Pricklethorn and learn about his TREEmendous elementary school programs as well as begin to explore the brand-new Project Learning Tree "Green Jobs in Green Spaces" instructional unit.
Facilitator: Holly Campbell (Southern Region Extension Forestry)
Additional contributors: Warren Hoselton (Pricklethorn Productions), Jaclyn Stallard (Project Learning Tree), Meghan Bowe (Environmental Education Association of Illinois), Beattra Wilson (US Forest Service)
Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 pm
Nature-deficiency in youth has been well-documented. Not only does interaction with nature have numerous marked health benefits, but it instills a deep appreciation and will often generate interest in nature-based careers like arboriculture and urban forestry (A&UF). One of today’s key A&UF workforce challenges is a need to generate youth interest in the field prior to high school graduation. Identifying the best ways to achieve this is the next step and, as educators, your input is greatly appreciated. During this interactive workshop, participants will collectively reflect on and examine ways to not only inform but also inspire the next generation of arborists and urban foresters. Through facilitated activities, session participants will help recommend, explore, and rank the types of programs and resources that may best introduce youth to A&UF. The information generated will be used to support a national effort to enhance A&UF youth education. Participants will also learn about several successful programs. You will meet Professor Pricklethorn and learn about his TREEmendous elementary school programs as well as begin to explore the brand-new Project Learning Tree "Green Jobs in Green Spaces" instructional unit.
"Developing a New Urban Forestry Program"
Facilitator: Eric North (University of Nebraska Lincoln)
Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 pm
A significant challenge to starting a new program is getting students enrolled in courses outside their current majors. Come explore (and share) ideas and opportunities to engage with prospective students in and outside of the classroom. From creating meaningful assignments to finding student opportunities, this workshop will share ideas and technology for engaging students while building or enhancing a program in urban forestry and arboriculture. We will also discuss what has and hasn’t worked for engaging students in your courses.
Facilitator: Eric North (University of Nebraska Lincoln)
Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 pm
A significant challenge to starting a new program is getting students enrolled in courses outside their current majors. Come explore (and share) ideas and opportunities to engage with prospective students in and outside of the classroom. From creating meaningful assignments to finding student opportunities, this workshop will share ideas and technology for engaging students while building or enhancing a program in urban forestry and arboriculture. We will also discuss what has and hasn’t worked for engaging students in your courses.
"From Zero to Hero: Training and Certifying Urban Forestry Volunteers"
Facilitator: Ian McDermott (Pershore College)
Additional contributors: Ryan Murphy (University of Minnesota), Openlands
Tuesday, 3:45-4:45 pm
Targeted specifically at those who are involved or interested in the training of volunteer urban forest stewards, this workshop will share lessons learned from the formal "tree wardens" training program, which has engaged with over 10,000 volunteers in Great Britain and is now developing a national training program for them; from the statewide Minnesota "Tree Inspectors" certification program; and from Openlands' "TreeKeepers" program in the Chicagoland area. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A with workshop leaders as well as engage in a set of guided activities thinking about how they might implement or modify a volunteer urban forest steward training program in their own community.
Workshop participants are strongly recommended to bring with them a laptop, smartphone, tablet or similar device with the Google Classroom device/app preinstalled to maximize the workshop experience but each table will have a laptop provided so this is not essential. The app can be found here: https://classroom.google.com/ and a classroom number will be issued at the workshop for delegates to sample its interactivity.
Facilitator: Ian McDermott (Pershore College)
Additional contributors: Ryan Murphy (University of Minnesota), Openlands
Tuesday, 3:45-4:45 pm
Targeted specifically at those who are involved or interested in the training of volunteer urban forest stewards, this workshop will share lessons learned from the formal "tree wardens" training program, which has engaged with over 10,000 volunteers in Great Britain and is now developing a national training program for them; from the statewide Minnesota "Tree Inspectors" certification program; and from Openlands' "TreeKeepers" program in the Chicagoland area. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A with workshop leaders as well as engage in a set of guided activities thinking about how they might implement or modify a volunteer urban forest steward training program in their own community.
Workshop participants are strongly recommended to bring with them a laptop, smartphone, tablet or similar device with the Google Classroom device/app preinstalled to maximize the workshop experience but each table will have a laptop provided so this is not essential. The app can be found here: https://classroom.google.com/ and a classroom number will be issued at the workshop for delegates to sample its interactivity.
"Lessons from the Community College Experience"
Facilitator: Fredric Miller (Joliet Junior College)
Additional contributors: Students from Joliet Junior College
Tuesday, 3:45-4:45 pm
Training students for the arboriculture and urban forest industry can be challenging requiring a blend of classroom instruction and work experience. Due to their applied emphasis, community and technical colleges are well equipped to meet this challenge. Partnering with industry for internships and apprenticeships is a critical component in the development of future arborists and urban foresters. In this session, we will reflect on past successes and failures, discuss how to develop academic-industry partnerships, designing appropriate and useful curriculum coupled with practical work experience (i.e. what is the industry looking for in workers), and designing an effective and productive internship/apprenticeship program experience for future arborists-urban foresters.
Facilitator: Fredric Miller (Joliet Junior College)
Additional contributors: Students from Joliet Junior College
Tuesday, 3:45-4:45 pm
Training students for the arboriculture and urban forest industry can be challenging requiring a blend of classroom instruction and work experience. Due to their applied emphasis, community and technical colleges are well equipped to meet this challenge. Partnering with industry for internships and apprenticeships is a critical component in the development of future arborists and urban foresters. In this session, we will reflect on past successes and failures, discuss how to develop academic-industry partnerships, designing appropriate and useful curriculum coupled with practical work experience (i.e. what is the industry looking for in workers), and designing an effective and productive internship/apprenticeship program experience for future arborists-urban foresters.
[Tentatively scheduled] "Youth Engagement in Arboriculture: At-Height Experiences to Engage, Inspire, and Recruit"
Facilitator: Chad Giblin (University of Minnesota)
Wednesday, 8:30-11 am
Recreational tree climbing offers numerous benefits to its participants. In addition to being fun and contributing to physical fitness, elements of tree climbing include opportunities to develop analytical thinking, improve knowledge and appreciation for natural resources, as well as build self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. From learning hitch knots and proper gear safety, to moving about in the canopy to reach “goal objects,” to solving rigging puzzles using principles of physics, the range of skills cultivated in tree climbing is immense. Additionally, tree climbing introduces young people to skills and professional development opportunities in urban forestry and arboriculture. YEA was developed to create a streamlined approach to implementing youth recreational tree climbing in educational and summer camp settings. The Youth Engagement in Arboriculture (YEA) approach maintains full compliance with the Standard for Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations (ANSI Z133) throughout and integrates the expertise of professional arborists during the planning and implementation process. In addition to adhering to the Z133, the YEA approach is kid-centric. Many similar programs are designed to meet the “average‚” child and may not be fully accessible to all kids. YEA focuses on getting every participant at-height with customized experiences tailored to the age, skill, and comfort levels of each child. The YEA program introduces youth to careers in arboriculture, sending participants home with a tangible and memorable experience by safely and technically ascending trees assisted by professional arborists, University faculty, staff, and students. The project aims to inspire participants, not only to envision themselves as students at the University of Minnesota, but as future professionals in the fields of urban forestry and arboriculture. Furthermore, YEA strives to create a more diverse and inclusive campus atmosphere that becomes increasingly accessible and welcoming to students of color and those from currently underrepresented minority communities. This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of the YEA system and engagement opportunities that are currently in use at the University of Minnesota. Participants will utilize the climbing systems to develop novel opportunities to engage youth in an exciting, outdoor classroom.
Facilitator: Chad Giblin (University of Minnesota)
Wednesday, 8:30-11 am
Recreational tree climbing offers numerous benefits to its participants. In addition to being fun and contributing to physical fitness, elements of tree climbing include opportunities to develop analytical thinking, improve knowledge and appreciation for natural resources, as well as build self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. From learning hitch knots and proper gear safety, to moving about in the canopy to reach “goal objects,” to solving rigging puzzles using principles of physics, the range of skills cultivated in tree climbing is immense. Additionally, tree climbing introduces young people to skills and professional development opportunities in urban forestry and arboriculture. YEA was developed to create a streamlined approach to implementing youth recreational tree climbing in educational and summer camp settings. The Youth Engagement in Arboriculture (YEA) approach maintains full compliance with the Standard for Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations (ANSI Z133) throughout and integrates the expertise of professional arborists during the planning and implementation process. In addition to adhering to the Z133, the YEA approach is kid-centric. Many similar programs are designed to meet the “average‚” child and may not be fully accessible to all kids. YEA focuses on getting every participant at-height with customized experiences tailored to the age, skill, and comfort levels of each child. The YEA program introduces youth to careers in arboriculture, sending participants home with a tangible and memorable experience by safely and technically ascending trees assisted by professional arborists, University faculty, staff, and students. The project aims to inspire participants, not only to envision themselves as students at the University of Minnesota, but as future professionals in the fields of urban forestry and arboriculture. Furthermore, YEA strives to create a more diverse and inclusive campus atmosphere that becomes increasingly accessible and welcoming to students of color and those from currently underrepresented minority communities. This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of the YEA system and engagement opportunities that are currently in use at the University of Minnesota. Participants will utilize the climbing systems to develop novel opportunities to engage youth in an exciting, outdoor classroom.
