Apply now for the 5th Wisconsin Community Tree Management Institute

Posted on by patricialindquist

Sponsored by the WI Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with partners

Wisconsin Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI) is a unique training experience designed for municipal staff with tree management responsibilities but without a strong background in urban forestry. The program is ideal for staff who spend just part of their time dealing with trees. Conversely, those with a background in urban forestry but new to management, will also find it useful. CTMI consists of approximately 38 instruction hours and requires students to complete an out-of-classroom project.

If you’re interested in applying, don’t wait – the 2020/21 class is filling quickly! The application deadline is June 12, 2020. See “How to Apply for CTMI” near the end of this article for instructions.

Dates and Locations

To be accepted into the program, participants must be able to attend all three sessions.          

  • Session I October 13-14, 2020, Green Lake, WI         
  • Session II February 9-10, 2021, Green Lake, WI         
  • Session III June 15-16, 2021, Stevens Point, WI

Program Cost – $375 

The registration fee covers all course materials, meal and lodging costs for sessions I, II & III.

Benefits of CTMI

Students develop practical knowledge & skills essential for effective management of municipal tree programs. The course focuses heavily on the management side – rather than the technical side – of municipal forestry programs.

Participants also gain:

  • enhanced leadership ability
  • increased awareness & access to resources
  • a support network of peers in other communities

This intensive, interactive training program requires personal commitment, supervisory approval and community support. The payoff is in improved return on the community’s investment in its leafy infrastructure!

The CTMI Curriculum

Come to CTMI prepared to be challenged and inspired! CTMI offers a variety of learning formats in an informal, small-group atmosphere. Instruction includes field tour, small-group exercises, large-group discussions and informal networking. You won’t just be sitting in a classroom listening to lectures, you will be working as a team to address your community’s tree issues.

The following themes and subjects are illustrative of the CTMI curriculum:

  • Principles of Community Forestry Program Leadership
    • Improving community livability through trees
    • Understanding & promoting tree benefits
    • Connecting trees with other local governance issues
  • Elements of Successful Community Forestry Programs
    • Achieving tree goals through ordinances
    • Tree inventories & management plans
    • Cultivating community awareness & support
    • Pulling it all together – Tour a successful forestry program
  • Technical Foundations of Healthy Community Forests
    • How trees work
    • Tree identification, selection & care principles
    • Tree risk evaluation & management
    • Diagnosing tree health problems
  • Contemporary Community Forestry Issues
    • Field operations – efficiency & safety
    • Trees & construction/infrastructure conflicts
    • Trees & legal issues
    • Budgeting & financing
    • Contracting
    • Tree canopy as infrastructure
    • Solving community problems with trees
  • Sustaining a Successful Program through Partnerships
    • Identifying & working cooperatively with partners
    • Organizational dynamics & effectiveness

Instructional Staff

CTMI instructors include experienced urban forestry professionals from the public and private sectors, CTMI graduates, WI DNR staff and other program partners.

Continuing Education Credits

Continuing Education Credits will be available for the International Society of Arboriculture. Continuing Education Credits may also be available via self-submission through other organizations such as the American Park & Recreation Association and the American Public Works Association.

How to Apply for CTMI

For a CTMI application contact the urban forestry coordinator for your region:

Brad Johnson, Urban Forestry Coordinator – Spooner 715-410-8289 bradleyd.johnson@wi.gov

Don Kissinger, Urban Forestry Coordinator – Wausau 715-348-5746 don.kissinger@wi.gov

Tracy Salisbury, Urban Forestry Coordinator – Green Bay 920-366-6833 tracy.salisbury@wi.gov

Kim Sebastian, Urban Forestry Coordinator – Milwaukee 414-294-8675 kim.sebastian@wi.gov

Brian Wahl, Urban Forestry Coordinator – Fitchburg 608-225-7943 brian.wahl@wi.gov

Olivia Witthun, Urban Forestry Coordinator – Plymouth 414-750-8744 olivia.witthun@wi.gov

Here is a link to the CTMI website and brochure.

What CTMI Graduates Are Saying

“CTMI was extremely beneficial and will be the cornerstone of our urban forestry program.”

 “This is the first forestry training I’ve been to where it’s been just for people like me.”

 “I learned that there’s a lot more to this forestry stuff than just trees.”

 “My co-worker was impressed at how much I learned.”

 “We all need to learn that our trees are constantly working for us. Being there and working for us 24/7, they improve our quality of life and the environment!”

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