Introduction to Arborist Academy

Roger 0:18

Talking Trees with Lillian Jadd forest . Their comprehensive online hub and eShop offer professional seminars , internationally recognized certifications such as ETW conferences , and literature for both experts and the public . The Academy also hosts regular arborist gatherings , known as ArboChat , while managing a wealth of videos , podcasts and publications and actively participating in international arboricultural projects . Join us as we delve into how the Arborist Academy is shaping the future of arboriculture .

Jad 0:57

Hey arborists out there , welcome to another deep dive . You know we like to go deep , and today we're diving into something pretty cool Arbalistica Academy .

Lilly 1:05

Yeah .

Jad 1:05

Or AA for short .

Lilly 1:06

Yeah , sounds a little less intimidating that way .

Jad 1:09

I know right , they're a Czech NGO that's doing some really fascinating work , and it's making waves in the world of arboriculture , and we're not just talking about the Czech Republic here . I mean they're having an impact internationally .

Lilly 1:19

Oh , absolutely . They're definitely punching above their weight when it comes to global reach .

Jad 1:24

Yeah , and they've got a ton of resources , you know , seminars and certifications . They've got conferences going on , even a shop with books .

Lilly 1:30

Oh , wow .

Jad 1:31

But what really caught my attention , what I think is really cool , is their dedication to building a community .

Lilly 1:36

Yeah .

Community Building & Professional Standards

Jad 1:37

And raising the bar for tree care across Europe , like it's not just about knowing your stuff , it's about doing it together and doing it well .

Lilly 1:44

Yeah , and they've managed to really cleverly connect those two things . Like you said , community and a high professional standards . It's not just teaching people about trees , but it's creating a space where arborists can learn from each other . You know , bounce ideas around , push the field forward .

Jad 2:02

Okay , so let's unpack that a little . I know they're big on education , but what makes their approach so different ? What's so special ? What are they offering that you wouldn't find in a typical college course ?

Lilly 2:14

I think it's the depth and breadth , really Honestly . They've got training for everyone , from you know , someone who's brand new to this to someone who's been doing it their whole lives like accredited courses that get you those certifications . You need specialized seminars if you really want to , you know , deep dive into a specific technique and then even like prep courses for the certification exams .

Jad 2:36

Wow .

Lilly 2:37

And , like I said , it's not just in the Czech Republic . They have these international projects that are really impressive , right projects that are really impressive , right , and that's actually what I wanted to ask about .

Jad 2:44

Next , because I was reading about this weekly online meetup , they have ArboChat

ArboChat: Global Coffee Breaks

Jad 2:53

. Oh yeah , it's kind of like a virtual coffee break for arborists around the world .

Lilly 2:54

That's a perfect way to put it . Every Monday they have people from all over hopping online to discuss , like the latest hot topics , you know , challenges , breakthroughs , anything and everything .

Jad 3:03

It's like getting the inside scoop .

Lilly 3:05

Yeah , and the best part is , even if you can't make it live , they record all of it .

Jad 3:08

Oh cool .

Lilly 3:09

Audio and video , so it's a fantastic resource for staying up to date even if you're busy .

Jad 3:14

That's so key , right , absolutely . You can really get a feel for that global arborist community through those Arbo chats . So they're building connections on a global scale . We talked about that . But how does that actually translate to raising those professional standards that we talked about ?

Lilly 3:27

Well , for one thing , they play a huge role in certification . Aa is a certification center for the Czech Certified Arborist Program .

Jad 3:34

Okay .

Lilly 3:35

Which means businesses can register with them to show they're committed to quality , to best practices . It's a signal to clients that they're working with like the best of the best .

Jad 3:43

Oh , that's interesting . So it's like a stamp of approval .

Lilly 3:45

Pretty much .

Jad 3:46

I like it , but their work obviously goes way beyond the Czech Republic , right .

Lilly 3:50

Oh , definitely .

Jad 3:50

So tell me a little about some of these international projects

Veteran Tree Specialization & VetCert

Jad 3:53

that stood out to you .

Lilly 3:53

Well , one that comes to mind right away is VetCert . It's a European certification program for veteran tree specialists . You know , those are the arborists who are taking care of some of the oldest and most I mean ecologically and culturally significant trees across Europe . They're like the tree whisperers .

Jad 4:09

Now I got to ask because when I hear the term veteran tree , I picture , you know , a tree that's just been through a lot like seen some storms . But what really makes these trees so unique that they need a special kind of care ?

Lilly 4:20

Think of them as living libraries . You know they have these really unique ecosystems . They provide habitats for rare species and they offer a window into the past . We're talking trees that have been standing for hundreds of years .

Jad 4:31

Oh , wow .

Lilly 4:32

Witnessing history unfold right beneath their branches and they need a specialized approach to care right , Considering how old they are , their fragility and their value , their ecological and cultural treasures .

Jad 4:44

So Vetserd ensures these living monuments are in the right hands , that's pretty amazing , it really is . So what other international projects is AA involved in ?

Lilly 4:51

Well , they're also really involved in setting standards for arboriculture across Europe , and they do this through projects like TEST and ECOTH , and these initiatives are all about raising the bar for tree care across the continent , ensuring like a consistent level of quality and promoting those best practices . It's almost like creating a common language for tree care .

Jad 5:12

Right , so you're talking about consistent standards across all these different countries

International Projects & Collaborations

Jad 5:15

.

Lilly 5:15

Exactly .

Jad 5:15

How do they actually make that happen ?

Lilly 5:17

It's a lot of collaboration . Experts from different countries come together and develop guidelines and training materials .

Jad 5:23

I see .

Lilly 5:23

Share best practices . It's all about being on the same page when it comes to things like risk assessment , pruning techniques , even how we talk about tree care with the public .

Jad 5:32

So it really is all about collaboration and knowledge sharing .

Lilly 5:35

At its core , absolutely .

Jad 5:36

Which is what AA seems to be all about .

Lilly 5:38

Exactly . They're building this network of arborists across Europe who are passionate about raising the bar . And it's contagious . You know , if the standards are higher in one country , it has a ripple effect throughout Europe .

Jad 5:49

Like a rising tide lifts all boats .

Lilly 5:50

Exactly , and they don't just set the standards , they actually get involved in supporting other countries to develop their own practices .

Jad 5:57

Oh , wow .

Lilly 5:57

Yeah , for example , their work in Croatia with the Arbor Croatia project has been huge in advancing tree care in that region .

Jad 6:07

That's really interesting .

Lilly 6:08

How so ? I mean , what kind of impact are they having ? What are they doing in Croatia ? Well , one key area is again veteran tree care . They're helping Croatian arborists develop the skills and knowledge they need to manage and preserve these ancient trees that are a huge part of Croatia's natural and cultural heritage .

Jad 6:22

So it's not just about exporting their own knowledge . It's about working with the local people to find solutions that make sense for them .

Lilly 6:29

Absolutely . It's a real partnership , recognizing that every region is different , has its own unique challenges and opportunity .

Jad 6:35

This all speaks to a real commitment to international collaboration . Are there any other projects that highlight this ?

Lilly 6:41

Well , there's one called VetHect , which is all about sharing experiences related to veteran trees . They're playing a big role in developing a shared database for senescent biotope trees , and the database is important because it lets arborists share what they know and what they've learned about managing these unique trees . It's like a collective wisdom to protect these ecosystems .

Jad 7:02

So they're not just preserving trees , but the whole ecosystem . Wow .

Lilly 7:05

To protect these ecosystems , so they're not just preserving trees , but the whole ecosystem . That's the idea . It's about understanding that trees aren't isolated . They're connected to their environment and our job as arborists is to manage them in a way that respects that . This is fascinating . Aa is doing some amazing work . It's really eye-opening . They are they're really showing that arboriculture is more than just a job .

Jad 7:23

It's a profession with a global impact that arboriculture is more than just a job . It's a profession with a global impact . You know , as we're wrapping up this deep dive into AA . I keep thinking about that idea of interconnectedness . It seems to be at the heart of everything they do , whether it's connecting people through ArboChat , those international projects , or just helping people understand the relationship between trees and the environment , it's all connected .

Lilly 7:44

It really is , and it's powerful , you know , because it reminds us that we're all in this together .

Jad 7:48

Right .

Lilly 7:48

The health of our planet depends on our ability to work together to learn from each other .

Jad 7:53

Especially in a world that feels so divided sometimes . Yeah , it's a good reminder .

Lilly 7:57

It is , and AA shows us that we can make a difference .

Jad 8:00

That collaboration is key .

Lilly 8:01

Absolutely .

Jad 8:02

Well , this has been a fantastic journey into the world of Arboristics Academy . It's really shown us what's possible when you bring passion , expertise

Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways

Jad 8:14

and collaboration together . They're an inspiration , for sure . So to all our listeners out there .

Lilly 8:16

thank you for joining us on this deep dive . Yeah , Thanks for tuning in .

Jad 8:18

We hope you've been inspired by AA's story and that you'll carry that message of collaboration and respect for trees forward in your own work .

Lilly 8:25

Keep learning , keep sharing , keep those trees healthy .

Jad 8:28

Until next time .

Lilly 8:29

See .

Roger 8:33

Thank you for joining us on today's episode of Talking Trees . We explored the dynamic world of the Arborist Academy , a nonprofit dedicated to advancing tree care through expert seminars , international certifications like ETW conferences , arbo chat gatherings and a wealth of multimedia resources . Their commitment to lifelong learning in arboriculture lights the way for professionals and enthusiasts alike . Until next time , keep nurturing the green in your world .