495 Hodson Hall and Zoom (Zoom link; registration not required)
This event is part of the Natural Resources Science and Practice and Seminar Series hosted by the Department of Forest Resources.
Title: Current trends in urban forestry research and practice for sustainable cities with Dr. Alicia Coleman and Gail Nozal
Abstract: Contemporary management of urban trees and urban forests is based on longstanding best management practices - drawn from arboriculture, silviculture, parks and public space management, and public policy, administration, and participatory engagement - and is also an industry that is rapidly evolving. This talk will first discuss the breadth and scope of current trends and challenges addressed by modern urban forestry research, especially those related to tree growing conditions, funding & economic development, disservices, governance, social equity, training gaps, and technology gaps. Then, Davey Resource Group will discuss their new Smart Tree Inventory Monitoring Program, which is posed to address the industry’s ongoing need for urban tree inventories alongside technology-driven tools that help address issues of climate change, risk management, and social equity.
Dr. Alicia Coleman is Assistant Professor of Urban and Community Forestry at the University of Minnesota. Before joining UMN, Alicia was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Applied Forest Ecology Lab at the University of Connecticut, working with Dr. Robert Fahey and CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. She holds a PhD in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Master of Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Penn State University.
Gail Nozal is an area manager for Davey Resource Group, Inc. (DRG) based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. With over 30 years of experience in the industry and having worked with Davey for over 15 years, Gail is an expert in the municipal, non-profit, and commercial sectors. She joined DRG in 2019 after working with S&S Tree, a Davey Company.
Gail has a wealth of experience in contract forestry projects, oak wilt management, general management and operations, and public education. As an area manager with DRG, her primary responsibilities include business development, operational management, and staff supervision of a Minnesota-based team focused on urban forestry and ecological consulting. She has completed urban forest inventories, management plans, contract forestry, plant health care diagnosis, oak wilt management, tree preservation, operations, and ordinance review. Besides, she is proficient in using various technologies to improve efficiency for urban forestry projects and participates in public education opportunities. She also carries out tree risk assessments and i-Tree tree inventories.
Gail has a master’s degree in forestry with an emphasis in education and a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry, both from the University of Minnesota. She is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and Municipal Specialist and has obtained the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. She is also a Certified Minnesota Pesticide Applicator. Gail is a Minnesota Tree Inspector, Minnesota Certified Landscape Specialist, and a Minnesota Pest Detector. She is affiliated with the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee, the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture, Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, and Minnesota Department of Agriculture.