“Urban forestry and tree care is a great industry to be involved with and something that we all should be proud of. Industry professionals leave a lasting legacy in caring for the trees in our community each and every day, and it’s important that we spread the word and help future generations understand the importance of nature and trees.”

Augusts Hoppe has a clear passion for his work, and it is because of this passion and his drive that he was elected as an incoming director on the Tree Care Industry Associations Board of Directors.

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) is a trade association of 2,300 tree care firms and affiliated companies. The association develops safety and education programs, standards or tree care practices, and management information for tree and landscape firms around the world. TCIA has been working to elevate the standards of commercial and utility tree care across the country, having members in each state. The TCIA Board of Directors sets and maintains strategic goals for the organization.

Hoppe’s term on the board started February 2019 and will last for three years. During his term, Hoppe says he wants to be a good listener, to the board and most importantly the members. He wants to understand the challenges of the members and create and implement the strategies that align with the goals of TCIA to confront those issues head-on.

As a member of the board, Hoppe will also continue his advocacy for urban forestry and the tree care industry. He is a past president of the Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA), current vice-chair of the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council, and co-chair of the Wisconsin Arborist Apprenticeship program. Having worked in and operated a tree care company, Hoppe Tree Services, for over 18 years, Hoppe has a unique perspective on some of the needs and issues of TCIA members and their companies. With his vantage point of first-hand experience with what is going on with urban forestry in Wisconsin, he is primed to confront issues at the national-level.

“Wisconsin’s issues are not all that unique, and these statewide roles have allowed me to gain a grasp and command on the same challenges going on nationally,” states Hoppe.

Hoppe won’t only be focusing on the issues facing the industry during his term, he will also shed light on some innovations in the field that Wisconsin has been implementing successfully. Hoppe is excited to develop strategies for these efforts with TCIA and strengthen them across the nation.

“In Wisconsin we have been leaders in urban wood utilization, workforce development and public outreach. Our arborist apprenticeship program was the first in the nation, we’ve been a leader in urban wood utilization, and our kids climb program across the state of Wisconsin is growing and allowing more people to understand the value of trees.”

Similar to his favorite eastern white pine planted by his father in 1986, which still stands tall, August Hoppe will leave his lasting legacy in urban forestry and the tree care industry as a new director on the TCIA Board.