I’ve had another article published by the Arboricultural Association. The latest Arb Mag (Summer 2023) features my thoughts on Trees Planning and Development.
Read the article here…. ARB Mag 201 Summer 2023
Tree Academy Online... Learn | Grow | Connect
We’ve had a very fruitful couple of months running in-house training for a number of businesses & organisations that didn’t want to wait any longer. It’s given us the chance to refine and improve the flagship training. And also helped shape our ambitions for future developments, which is really exciting.
People perform best when they’re doing what they are good at and what they love.
We’ll be constantly evolving Tree Academy Online - adding to the platform based on what you want to see. It’s been a big learning curve and hopefully well worth the effort. Many thanks to everyone that’s worked with us on this!
Tao: the art or skill of doing something in harmony with the essential nature of the thing.
Tree Academy Online - Teaser
Update - Tree Academy Online
We’re busy gearing up and getting ready to launch the Tree Academy Online. It’s an exciting time for us - and a challenging one. We’ve momentarily postponed the launch whilst we beta test the site and the training material.
Real-world Professional training & mentoring
The initial planning & development training is aimed at professional consultants and tree officers. Its been borne out of a personal passion to raise professional standards and to offer real-world, accessible, straightforward guidance & resources to benefit TREES.
Effective Arboricultural Impact Assessment will be the only online training of its kind. The course is delivered in bite-sized chunks that can be accessed at anytime, from anywhere. The intricate web of components relating to trees, planning & development is explored, key concepts & processes are reinforced with case studies and worked examples. Effective AIA is a tool that requires skill to apply. More complex subjects are carefully explained with animated elements, videos, downloadable handouts and case studies, which you can go over again and again. The Effective AIA training is delivered in two parts. Each answering one key question:
“What is the value & importance of the existing trees?” (Part 1) and…
“What effects will the development have on trees?” (Part 2)
Sounds simple. But wait until you see the content details. Each course is delivered over 5 Modules consisting of 6-10 lessons. Our aim is to deliver training in a structured way such that users can apply it to all projects at any level of complexity.
Tree Academy Online
There's a huge problem with the way we’re managing trees through the planning process. 20 years ago we could be excused for not knowing much, or doing much about damage to trees and the erosion of irreplaceable features. Today we have NO excuse. We’re facing a nationwide crisis that is damaging our tree population. Generic judgements and flawed decision-making are driving arboriculture into a professional abyss…on the verge of losing its legitimacy.
A root & branch solution
Since April 2022 we’ve been building the TREE ACADEMY ONLINE, which is primarily a platform for training, mentoring and engagement for working tree professionals. TAO is a dedicated community of Environment & Natural Infrastructure professionals and industry experts. Together, we're pioneering a new, holistic approach to professional training, mentoring and learning.
Trees, Planning & Development
The site will launch with its initial training program covering ARBORICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT. The work is based on current thinking, research, experience, and scientific evidence. Its aim is to show how critical thinking and professional standards can be integrated throughout the planning & development process using Effective Arboricultural Impact Assessment. Alongside the AIA training there are freely available guidance publications and other useful resources.
The TREE ACADEMY ONLINE will offer professional mentoring and a community space for skills development. TAO will be driven by experienced real-world professionals and we plan to develop tree-related training to cover other related disciplines such as; Landscape, Ecology, Architecture, Engineering etc.
The site is planned to go live at the end of the year (Dec 22).
Arboricultural Impact Assessment System
AIA system - Guidance & Training
With a significant amount of research and testing behind it, the launch of new impact assessment training and guidance is here. The new AIA system embraces current thinking, raises our professional status and safeguards users by providing a framework and structure that allows informed, robust decision-making.
The AIA system has been developed to provide Tree Officers & Consultants with a level playing field. The system is transparent, repeatable and based on valid research.
The system is designed to inform decisions, not to override expert opinion.
The AIA system training is currently being delivered in-house to private organisations and will be offered to the wider arboricultural community in the near future.
Guidance Notes for Tree Officers & LPAs
The research findings have identified consistent flaws in the arboricultural information submitted with planning applications. Alongside the new AIA training there are several freely available guidance publications currently being prepared for distribution to LPAs. The guidance includes:
Key issues & common failings
Checking submitted information for compliance with BS5837
Review of technical details
Useful research & references by key issue
The guidance enables quick document review by simple checks and provides key details and reference points for efficient assessment and robust critique of submitted tree information.
