IN PERSON Annual Awards Celebration

We are excited for our first in person gathering on December 7th, 3pm at WCA’s La Mesa offices.  This gathering, almost two-years in the making, will be a combined celebration of our award winners and a panel presentation on local effects of drought and methods for irrigating urban trees.

Awards are offered for the following categories:

  • Best urban forestry educational project
  • Best Innovative urban forestry project
  • Best regional council representative
  • Best tree health care program

Award Nominations are open and the deadline is November 17th. Click here for more information

Registration for either in-person attendance or remote via zoom is required (we need to plan for food for in person).

IN PERSON Attendance Register Here


Remote VIRTUAL Attendance Register Here


Irrigating Trees in Southern California for Drought Considerations

Panel Presentations

How do trees like to be irrigated?  

What products do we have to accomplish this in the most water efficient manner? 

While there are many factors that affect tree health, it’s safe to say irrigation is a major player in climates like Southern California. Trees have unique irrigation requirements which need to be addressed independently from other plants in the landscape. In designing tree irrigation there are a number of factors to consider not just for tree health but for water conservation as well. By learning to identify key landscape factors and their overall role, we can maximize the water savings from high efficiency emission devices, sensors & smart irrigation products while simultaneously supplying trees with the water they need not just to live but to thrive.  

Trees, Drought and Climate Action Plans

Are we looking through the lens of longevity for our tree irrigation, planting and aftercare methods?

Can we afford the economics of tree failures from lack of adequate irrigation and tree care, plus the costly time it takes to re-establish a legitimate urban forest canopy?

Discussion about tree planting and replacement with a focus on soil volume and irrigation requirements, species selection for biodiversity and long-term maintenance practices of newly planted and existing trees.

A Persistent Drought And Its Effects On Urban Forestry

How Can We Cope With Reduced Water Availability and Keep Our Trees Healthy?

Water management is key to ensuring we have a habitable environment that grows sustainably.  Our native and non-native trees are affected by the amount of water we provide and the rainfall (or lack thereof) that we receive.  Trees face a number of challenges to which we need to respond with proper water management and landscape design. 

Panelists

Brittany Borden is a San Diego County Local. She studied Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and proceeded to work in one of the industry leading design build companies straight out of school. After gaining a broader aspect of design through landscape construction she pursued a job in Orange County as an irrigation designer in the peak of the drought. Experiencing irrigation design challenges first hand she began to see the need for more conservation products, education and a general public awareness of conservation through smart irrigation practices. In 2015 Brittany began working for Rain Bird Corporation specializing in Municipalities and Landscape Architects. Since she has become CLIA and QWEL certified and continues to be a resource for water managers throughout Southern California. 

Kathleen CopleyKathy is a practicing licensed Landscape Architect and Certified Arborist.

She has a B.S. Degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1979 and a B.S. Degree in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1995. Her work includes Public streetscapes, Schools, and Development work for commercial and residential housing projects. Her passion for plants led her to participation in State Draft MWELO (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance) committees, as well as participation as an invited member of the Water Use Classifications of Landscape Species (WUCOLS IV)  Committee for South Coastal Region. WUCOLS IV is currently required throughout the State for water-use calculations and landscape construction plans.  She has a passion for trees and a desire to unify green professionals against climate change. She imagines we can bridge the gap between Landscape Architects, Arborists, Foresters, Contractors, Environmentalists and Nurserymen to create a force for change. 

Mike Palat currently works as Vice President of West Coast Arborists Inc., overseeing public agency contracts and field operations in Southern California and Arizona. Mike serves as the Chairman of the San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council.