24th annual Think Trees Conference Speakers

The coming Think Trees Conference will continue on the theme of ‘sustainable landscapes’ and how we can best care for trees and landscapes in the current economic environment. Everyone in the ‘greens industry’ will benefit from learning new strategies for these times.

We are fortunate to have a great slate of speakers:

• The opening remarks will be given by Butch Blazer, Director of New Mexico State Forestry, he will discuss the sustainability picture in community and urban forests.
• Eric Duchinsky, International Society of Arboriculture’s Director of Membership, and Society of Commercial Arboriculture’s Executive Director will address the economics of tree care.
• Jim Urban, author of the acclaimed book, ’Up by Roots’ will talk about Soil Science and Tree Biology and Practical Soil Applications.
• Dr. Larry Costello, California Cooperative Extension Specialist is returning to Think Trees to speak about Formative Pruning, and Strategies for Avoiding Infrastructure Damage from Trees.
• Dr. Gary Johnson, University of Minnesota will give us a better picture of fertilization and water and its impact on tree and landscape health.
• Dr. Tess Grasswitz, NMSU’s Small Farm and Urban IPM Specialist will help us implement practices to manage A Healthy Environment for Beneficials.
• Helping us all keep our employees safe while at work is Melissa Barker, NM OSHA, talking about the essential elements of a safety program.
• Dr. Jasmid Ashigh, NMSU’s Weed Specialist is talking about herbicides, using them around ornamentals, and avoiding collateral damages.
• We have a presentation on the new LEED certification and the Sustainable Sites Initiative, by Dr. Steven Windhager.