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.

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. 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 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.

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 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.