International training goes down a treat
Andy Neverman and Brett Moir from thoughtplanters NZ and thoughtplanters Singapore respectively, Horttraining's sister company presented at the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) 2011 annual conference and trade show in Sydney, Australia.
The conference, ‘Trees Down Under’ showcased trees from Australia and the Southern Hemisphere and attracted people from all over the world. Andy and Brett gave a presentation on maximising the use of climbing equipment. They demonstrated that by changing the configuration of commonly used items of climbing equipment they could not only improve the efficiency of climbing but potentially save large sums of money too. Needless to say the presentation was very well received.
The 2011 International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) was held as part of the conference where NZ climbers were able to take out the top male, top female and top team. Congratulations to Scott Forrest and Chrissy Spence.
Horttraining's senior lecturer delivers Advanced Certificate in Singapore
Thoughtplanters is continuing its expansion of training courses in Singapore with the recent completion of the inaugural Advanced Certificate in Arboriculture (ACA).
The course, designed for aspiring supervisors in the arboriculture sector, is an intensive three-week block. The syllabus covers a range of key tree care principles - providing students with a comprehensive insight into maintenance and management issues.
The course has been established in partnership with Singapore's Centre for Urban Greening and Ecology (CUGE) and is endorsed by the government's Workforce Development Agency (WDA). Both CUGE and WDA see the ACA as a crucial qualification for those supervisors and managers involved in caring for Singapore's trees.
Singapore is world-renowned as a garden city - where extensive lush vegetation is the norm. Singapore is expanding its green natural infrastructure - and this is evident in it's current multi-billion dollar investments in greening programmes and the construction of new parkland and tree-lined landscapes. Since 1986 Singapore has increased its urban tree cover and vegetation by over 12% - an amazing feat for a small island of only 700 square kilometres with a population in excess of 5 million.
Bryan Gould, Horttraining's senior lecturer, presented the Advanced Certificate to a small keen group - the first to step up for the newly-established qualification. "The student's level of interest and enthusiasm was really high" he said. "They finished the block without problems and were looking forward to applying their new-found knowledge and awareness in their workplaces".
Thoughtplanters will be conducting the ACA in Singapore on a regular basis - with plans for a diploma qualification to be announced shortly.
Kiwi Men clean up at APTCC event
The Asia-Pacific Tree Climbing Championship (APTCC) was held at the Esplanade Park, in Singapore 16th – 19th June. The event was extremely well run with climbers, judges and supporters coming from all across the region to take part.
The men’s competition was won by James Kilpatrick, followed closely by Scott Forest and the woman’s by Kiah Martin. By winning the event James is eligible to compete at the international TCC event in Sydney July 23 & 24. For more information about the ITCC go to: http://www.isa-arbor.com/events/conference/itccAndArborFair.aspx
Thanks to the Singapore Arboriculture Society (SAS) the Center for Urban Greening and Ecology (CUGE), and sponsors WDA, Arboriculture PTE, Thoughtplanters and TWC and everyone else that worked together to make this event the success that it was
Final placing – Men’s Masters:
- James Kilpatrick (NZ). James also set a new world record in the footlocking – with a time of 13.65 seconds
- Scott Forest (NZ)
- Henk Morgans
- Ross Kite (NZ)
- Richard Kenyon
Final placing – Women’s Masters:
- Kiah Martin
- Nicky Ward-Allen (NZ)
Matariki celebrations begin
Matariki is a cluster stars (also known as Pleiades / the Seven Sisters) that becomes visible in the morning sky during late May or early June. For the Maori it indicated a change of season, a time for reflection and preparation for the year ahead.
Matariki this year started on June 4. It was marked at the 2011 South Island Arbor Camp by a tree planting at Uxbridge Reserve in the Waitaki Valley.
People, Plants and Parks Conference
New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA)
People, Plants and Parks Conference
18-20 May
Te Papa, Wellington
This conference is especially themed to cover topics of interest to everyone working in or with municipal parks, botanic gardens and specialist plant collections. A range of speakers will explore management and maintenance issues relating to the values and benefits of plants within public landscapes.
Bryan Gould, Horttraining's tutor for the Telford Diploma in Arboriculture, has been invited to speak at the conference. Bryan will present an illustrated talk on the tree- and non-tree criteria to be considered in species selection - incorporating some pointers that make the difference between success and failure - with the intention of raising awareness and prompting improved plant care.
Registrations for the NZRA conference are open now. Check the programme and registration details at www.nzrecreation.org.nz/Default.aspx?section=parks
Vanished world on Arbor day
Queens birthday weekend in New Zealand (June 4, 2011) will see Arbor day pruning in the Vanished World – grab your saw and come along
Following on from the success of the 2010 arbor freeze at the Mt Stuart reserve this year’s Arbor day pruning in the South will be at the Uxbridge reserve – deep in the heart of the Vanished World [the Waitaki Valley, North Otago].
Back in 1936 the then Governor General of New Zealand (Sir Cecil Day) established the Uxbridge reserve and although plantings occurred no recognisable tree works has been undertaken since then – needless to say, the trees are in need of some TLC.
Uxbridge reserve now forms one of the newer fossils in the Vanished World - the others date back some 170 million years to time when New Zealand was part of Gondwanaland.
Come down and camp at the reserve, do some pruning and visit the Vanished World www.vanishedworld.co.nz, it is well worth the visit with many fascinating fossils and rock formations.
For ore information about the location and camping on site see the NZAA web site for more details www.nzarbor.org.nz for information about pruning and equipment requirements email, Jerry Lynch at jerry.lynch@op.ac.nz , David Glenn on; david.glenn@hortito.org.nz or Mark Roberts at: mark.roberts@thoughtplanters.com
We hope to see you there
2011 ISA Conference and Trade Show
July 23 to 27 (Parramatta) Sydney, Australia – its never been so close
The ISA Conference and Trade Show is the biggest gathering of researchers, educators, and practicing arborists from around the world. In addition to drawing all top speakers to present on the latest research and techniques, the ISA conference provides a forum for the open exchange of ideas, emerging technology, and the latest products and services.
Running in conjunction with the conference is the International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC). The ITCC brings together professional tree climbers from around the world. They showcase the highest level of professional skills and safety, providing a competitive learning environment for those working in the industry.
The ITCC will be held on the July 23 & 24, the ISA Annual Conference and Trade Show runs from July 25 to 27
Conference info: http://www.isa-arbor.com/events/conference/educationalProgramming.aspx
ITCC info: http://www.isa-arbor.com/events/conference/itccAndArborFair.aspx
Registration: http://www.isa-arbor.com/events/conference/registrationAndHousing.aspx
Tree Measurement Workshop
New Zealand Notable Trees Trust presents a practical Tree Measurement Workshop
Friday 18 February, Education Room, Cornwall Park Information Centre, Cornwall Park, AucklandThis is an open invitation to all arborists interested in registering notable trees on the New Zealand Notable Trees Trust Tree Register to join together for an informal and informative discussion and practical session on tree measurement.
Brad Cadwallader, arboriculture consultant, will begin the day with a discussion and demonstration on how to measure trees accurately, using a range of hand-held devices (from basic tools to state-of-the-art technology). This will enable anyone submitting data to the NZNTT tree register to provide consistent information.
Attendees will move into the field to practice these techniques. There's more to tree measurement than meets the eye - so this is a great opportunity to find out about how to apply appropriate processes and methods. The day begins at 9.00am.
Information is available from Brad Cadwallader, on (03) 544 0346 or 027 226 1666, or brad.cadwallader@paradise.net.nz>