ISA chooses five to represent the 2018 Class of True Professionals of Arboriculture

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) named five industry professionals as 2018 True Professionals of Arboriculture. Two men and three women were selected for influencing the arboriculture industry through innovative community projects, consumer education, and professional development.

The following “True Professionals” were acknowledged during the opening general session of the ISA Annual International Conference on Monday, August 6 in Columbus, Ohio.

  • Nate Faris, Indianapolis — Co-founder of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful; initiated a youth employment training program to care for newly-planted trees.
  • Linden Lampman, Olympia, Wash. — Established Community Canopy, a collaborative outreach program to promote best management practices.
  • Frances Reidy, East Islip, New York — Actively reaches out to her community about plant health care through garden clubs and schools.
  • Bob Redman, New York, N.Y. — The children’s book, “Up in the Leaves,” reveals the story and experiences influencing his decision to become an arborist.
  • Angela Margarita Villademoros, Santa Fe, Argentina — Helped found the Argentina Association of Trees; serves on the Commission of Arboriculture and Green Spaces to help promote arboriculture in Argentina.

“ISA True Professionals find ways to effectively communicate to the public the importance of arborists and the work we do,” said Paul Ries, ISA board president. “ Their creativity, eagerness to collaborate, and passion for the profession are vital to spreading the mission of ISA.”

ISA has been recognizing “True Professionals of Arboriculture” since 2009 in an effort to increase public understanding of arboriculture and the professional skills of today’s arborists. Nominees are submitted as a testament to the positive impact that they have had in and around their communities.

Recipients are selected by the ISA Awards Committee, a diverse group of experts in arboriculture and are approved by ISA’s Board of Directors.