December Lunch and Learn: Understanding Local Tree Ordinances in Georgia

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring four esteemed municipal arborists from various regions across Georgia. This webinar is designed to shed light on the intricacies of local tree ordinances, their development, and effective strategies for navigating them.

What You Will Learn:

• Diverse Ordinance Approaches: Explore how different municipalities approach tree regulations and the unique considerations that shape these policies.

• Navigation Tips: Learn best practices for understanding and complying with the specific tree ordinances in your area, whether for property management, development, or conservation purposes.

• Ordinance Development: Learn about the process in which the ordinances are created or changed and why they are important to the legacy of the communities impacted.

Meet the Panelists: Our panel will feature experienced municipal arborists who bring diverse perspectives from urban, suburban, and rural settings within Georgia. Each will share their insights, experiences, and practical advice.

Panelists include: 

Kay Evanovich, City of Decatur

Kay Evanovich is currently the City of Decatur Georgia Arborist and has held an International Society of Arboriculture Certification (I.S.A.) as an Arborist for 20 years. Kay holds a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification from the I.S.A. Kay has taken numerous courses of study in environmental issues and tree/forest health thru the University of Georgia, Center for Continuing Education and the Warnell school of Forestry beginning in 1999. As a municipal and consulting Arborist Kay has been performing tree health assessments and tree valuations and reviewing plans and permits for the general public since 2005. Currently Kay is on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Arborists Association (GAA) as the treasurer and teaches the Certified Arborists training course for the GAA. Kay is an avid Soccer fan and enjoys watching games with family and friends.

David Shostak, City of Alpharetta

David Shostak has worked for the City of Alpharetta since 2006. He is currently the City Arborist working as part of the Development Services Team under Community Development where his main role is to enforce the Tree Protection Ordinance. He does this by managing the tree removal permitting program and reviewing plans for all types and sizes of land development projects. He encourages the preservation of trees and requires the replanting of trees and other landscaping per the current code. David is an ISA Certified Arborist with a TRAQ Qualification and a Registered Forester in the State of Alabama. Prior to working for the City of Alpharetta David worked as an Environmental Scientist for an Engineering and Consulting Firm in Panama City Beach Florida as a Forester in Missouri and for the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, and as Urban Ecologist for the New York Restoration Project in New York City. David earned a Dual Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Forest Biology and Resource Management from the State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry a Master of Science in Forestry from Auburn University and has completed research and coursework at the PhD level in Forestry and Stormwater at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Jake Henry, Chatham County

Jake Henry is the Lead Arborist for Chatham County, where his primary duties include development plan review, ordinance enforcement/update/revision, and tree risk assessment. He has a B.S. in Earth Sciences from Cornell University, an M.S. in Forest Ecology from Mississippi State University, and has been a ISA Certified Arborist since 2019 with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. His past work includes biological control of invasive forest pests, tallgrass prairie restoration (with bison!), coordinating tree plantings for a non-profit, and working as a bucket operator on a tree crew. He has lived in Savannah since 2018, and enjoys learning and teaching about the integral role trees have played in Savannah's history. 

David Long, Georgia Forestry Commission, Urban and Community Forestry Specialist

An Atlanta native, Dave first began his career as a laborer in the private landscaping industry before deciding to specialize in arboriculture and natural resource management in urban areas. He currently holds ISA and TRAQ certifications, a bachelors in environmental sciences, and has been in the urban forestry field for five years. Dave currently serves as a community forestry specialist for the Georgia Forestry Commission and as the Vice President of the Georgia Arborist Association.

Who Should Attend: This webinar is perfect for arborists trying to navigate a tricky ordinance, developers, environmental advocates, city planners, and anyone interested in understanding tree-related regulations in Georgia.

Date & Time: December 17th, 20024

1 ISA CEU applied for. 

Register Today to gain valuable knowledge and enhance your ability to navigate local tree ordinances effectively.