PlanIT Geo

How the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop provides invaluable experience Tree climbing is a unique profession in many ways. One of the most surprising aspects of the job is the ambiguous career and training path. Most climbers stumble into this field with no intention of pursuing (and potentially no knowledge of) tree climbing as a profession. Unlike other skilled labor (e.g., carpentry, welding, plumbing), virtually no formal career training exists for tree climbing, despite daily dangerous tasks and specific skills required for the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual fatality rate for full-time tree workers is 110 per 100,000. The annual injury rate is even more discouraging: 2,390 per 100,000 tree workers. These rates far surpass the fatality and injury rates of other industries. The most striking comparison is to first responders, a notoriously dangerous occupation. On average, being a tree climber is seven times more fatal. Tree climbing is an inherently dangerous profession, and a systemic lack of training exacerbates the risk. As you’re reading this, you may notice yourself imagining these climbers as men. Nobody can blame you. The industry is heavily male-dominated. Women make up less than 5% of tree workers in the United States. When looking at only tree climbers (excludes ground workers), the percentage shrinks to less than 3%. Seeing these statistics and the lack of industry training, Bear LeVangie and Melissa LeVangie-Ingersoll recognized a need for better instruction and a more welcoming environment for women in the field. In 2009, they co-founded the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop (WTCW). It began as a one-day training, but over the years has evolved into a two-and-a-half-day comprehensive tree-climbing retreat for women in our industry. Bear, Melissa, and their team of instructors now hold these workshops several times a year across the country. The workshop places a heavy emphasis on safety. The first topic is always personal protective equipment (PPE), because PPE that fits properly is more likely to be worn throughout the whole workday, reducing risk of injury. Instead of glossing over the required equipment, the instructors take the time to explain why each item is necessary, how to identify approved safety gear, and how to don it properly. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to try out various styles of gear, find their favorites, and fine-tune their setup. A full kit includes head and eye protection, a harness, rope, and various climbing systems. This alone is one of the most valuable portions of the workshop. It is very rare for a climber to try on multiple harnesses and helmets AND climb in them before making a purchase. Knowing what will fit can save climbers a considerable amount of money as a full tree climbing kit can range from $600 to $1500. After matching attendees with the right climbing gear, the tree climbing instruction begins! The instructing team approaches the curriculum methodically, first focusing on the moving rope system, teaching the closed climbing system, followed by the open system, and building from there. In some cases, it is appropriate to move on to teaching stationary rope climbing (a more advanced technique) and its difference to the moving rope system. In other situations, participants may prefer to spend their time perfecting their skills on the moving rope systems or learning throwline (the technique of setting a line into a tree). Bear, Melissa, and their lead instructor Rebecca Seibel have a remarkable ability to understand what each unique cohort of learners requires and how to adjust the agenda to meet their needs. They are supported by an incredible team of assistant instructors, ensuring the instructing team is large enough to give each participant attention and feedback so that everybody leaves with a strong foundation in tree-climbing and the confidence to apply their new skills. I was lucky enough to attend WTCW in the infant stages of my climbing career when I was just far enough along to accept that battling my throwline would be a regular morning ritual. Being a part of this workshop was invaluable to me as a climber. I learned proper climbing skills before I had time to create a habit of bad ones. I began to understand different types of ropes and harnesses and when they are appropriate. Most importantly, however, I felt seen. The workshop acknowledges that being a woman in the field of arboriculture can be an isolating experience. WTCW aims to counteract this by empowering women in their skills, building an ever-growing network of women in the field, and providing a strong reminder that we not only belong in this field, we have tremendous value to offer it. Paradoxically, women, who have been underserved and underrepresented in the field of arboriculture for so long, now have access to one of the best tree climbing workshops available in the United States. Thanks to Bear and Melissa, an increasing number of confident, knowledgeable, and skilled women are entering the field as climbers! If you’re interested in learning to climb trees, check out WTCW and their upcoming workshops! This year, PlanIT Geo sponsored the Texas Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop in March, where the author participated as an assistant instructor.

A Companion Blog to the Internet of Nature Podcast Season 5, Episode 4 September 5, 2023 | Alec Sabatini If you can’t stand the heat, you’re not alone. Climate change and the urban heat island effect are sending city thermometers soaring, particularly in low-income and nonwhite neighborhoods. Many recognize urban trees are a key defense against heat, but getting the space and resources to plant and maintain greenspace takes substantial political and financial will, especially when competing against priorities like development or transportation. Community-led heat mapping is helping to tip those scales by activating community members with data that backs up their lived experiences. To talk about these efforts and the intersection of heat and greenspace, Dr. Nadina Galle hosted Vivek Shandas, Professor of Climate Adaptation at Portland State University on Episode 5 of her podcast. Community-Led Heat Mapping Most cities have less than a dozen active temperature and air quality sensors. Tens of square kilometers and thousands of people have to rely on a sensor or two to learn about their air. For a culture so reliant on analytics, American cities rarely have enough information to make evidence-based decisions. How do we change that? In 2018, the climate firm CAPA Strategies, of which Professor Shandas is a senior advisor, created the Heat Watch program to start bridging that information gap. Here’s how it works: After a community reaches out, CAPA Strategies provides training and materials to local champions for context on the importance of heat mapping On a designated hot day, CAPA Strategies provides low-cost, research-grade sensors to community volunteers who attach them to their cars, bikes, or backpacks Volunteers follow pre-mapped transects through their city, collecting temperature and humidity data along the way The routes are driven/biked/walked once in the morning, afternoon, and evening In one fell swoop, volunteers collect hundreds of thousands of geo-located data points. The end product is a high-resolution data set of air temperature and humidity, and a report by CAPA Strategies with a detailed analysis of the distribution of heat throughout the community. This hyper-local data helps city staff and community members see their neighborhoods differently. With a clear picture of how heat is concentrated in certain areas, the question then becomes, what can they DO about it? How can they redesign infrastructure to make greenspace more present in their lives? Where can more space be made for trees? “It has been an overwhelmingly compelling experience for me to see how little bits of granular data and a systematic process can get folks really charged and activated to bring more greenspace into cities,” said Vivek. These campaigns provide scientific backing to people’s lived experiences. It’s what has made the Heat Watch campaigns so powerful. It’s not an outside organization making maps for residents. The citizens living in these heat islands get to create their own evidence base and then use that to advocate for change. Heat Mapping Impacts The data and reports from Heat Watch campaigns have informed city sustainability plans, public health practices, urban forestry efforts, research projects, and other engagement activities. As an example, Vivek shared the story of a heat mapping campaign in Yonkers, New York. CAPA Strategies provided high school volunteers with FLIR thermal cameras that attached to their phones and tasked students with taking pictures of the hottest and coolest places they could find. It became clear some neighborhoods had less shade, fewer trees, and much higher temperatures than others. With photos and data in hand, volunteers demonstrated the inequitable shade and heat across their neighborhoods to the city council. They also showed how this imbalance had grown out of historic redlining practices. In the face of passionate advocacy and empirical reports, the city council eventually agreed to commit tens of millions towards planning and implementation of additional greenspace in hotter neighborhoods. This is one story in a growing trend. Urban heat is becoming one of the most effective catalysts for urban forestry initiatives. An uncomfortably hot neighborhood is visceral, and so is the relief offered by greenspace. Connecting the real experience of the people with data is a potent combination for change. Thanks for plugging into the Internet of Nature today. You can find links to all of the episodes and blogs from Season 5 here.

Tree Inventory Technician needed! Tree Inventory Technician PAY: $19 – $25 per hour or $39k – $60k per year. Full-time W2 employment (Inquire for Benefits Package) LOCATION: Nationwide – Must be able to travel for three to four weeks straight and stay in hotels/Airbnb’s. DESCRIPTION: PlanIT Geo provides professional geospatial consulting services and web/mobile software solutions for Urban Forestry and green infrastructure planning, natural resource analysis, forest management, and related areas. We are seeking one candidate with diverse interests and experience/education in urban forestry, arboriculture, GIS, and technology. Candidates should be motivated, versatile, work well in the private industry under strict time restraints, be able to travel, and have excellent communication skills. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION: Collect individual tree x/y locations via mobile tools from aerial imagery while in the field. Assess each tree for a wide variety of fields/attributes (e.g. Common Name, Scientific Name, DBH, Condition, Height, Crown Spread, Insect Issues, Diseases, Defects, Size of Defect, Probability of Failure, Target Frequency, Other Risk Fields, Site Type, Address, etc.). Provide clients with training in tree inventory software and related data management in a variety of formats (Shapefile, Excel, Access, etc.). DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: ISA Certified Arborist – must have or be able to obtain within two weeks of hire date. Pursuit of, or obtained BS/BA degree in forestry, natural resources, horticulture or related field. Ability to ID a variety of North American tree species by common and botanical name (leaf-on and off seasons). Ability to ID or quickly learn a variety of defects (biotic and abiotic) for different species of trees. Familiarity of plant growth habits and landscape use of common urban tree species. Experience in GIS desktop software (ESRI or Open Source; from coursework or other). Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time while using a tablet device safely. Flexibility in work hours to meet a quota of trees inventoried per day/week. Ability to travel 2-4 weeks at a time, stay in hotels/airbnb’s as needed, and have a valid driver’s license. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to establish/maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, and other industry professionals. ABOUT US: PlanIT Geo™ provides enterprise GIS Software as a Service (SaaS) for urban trees, parks, tree care, and related green infrastructure asset management. We are a small company based outside of Denver with employees around the country and partners and customers worldwide. This position is an exciting period in our company’s growth, with plenty of opportunities to advance and grow along with us. At present we are only considering candidates legally authorized to work in the USA. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, or any other non-merit factor. SUBMITTAL: PlanIT Geo is looking to evaluate and add a tree inventory technician as soon as possible. If interested and qualified, please email a one-page resume and cover letter to: hr@cybhumanresources.com Submitter PlanItGeo Submitted On 08/31/2023 Number of places 1  

View Position PlanIt Geo is hiring a Senior Product Manager! PAY: $90k-$100K PlanIT Geo™ is looking for an experienced Product Manager to shape and drive the future of our SaaS application suite for urban forest management and arborists. LOCATION: Remote ABOUT US: PlanIT Geo, Inc. (planitgeo.com) is a leading SaaS (Software as a Service) and Consulting Services company specializing in innovative solutions for urban forestry mapping and management. Our mission is to empower cities, municipalities, and organizations with cutting-edge technology to efficiently manage and improve the health and sustainability of urban forests. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Product Manager who will report into the CTO and work closely with the CEO to implement a robust, customer-centric, data-informed product management function and drive the development of our Urban Forestry SaaS platform. ABOUT THE JOB: PlanIT Geo’s Senior Product Manager will be the single point of accountability to shape, lead, and grow PlanIT Geo’s Product Management Operation, working directly with the CTO and CEO to define and implement product strategy and roadmaps in support of our company vision. The Senior Product Manager will collaborate with PlanIT Geo’s senior leadership team, and will inform and actively participate in both tactical and strategic decision-making processes across all areas of PlanIT Geo’s operations. ABOUT YOU: Proven Experience: At least five years of practical experience in product management, ideally with a minimum of one year in a leadership role, and preferably with experience in B2B SaaS. Industry certifications (e.g. Product School, Pragmatic Institute, CSPO etc) are a strong plus. Urban Forestry Background: Previous experience in developing products for the GIS or urban forestry sector, or strong familiarity with urban planning, tree care, government ERP or asset management systems, or related environmental industries is highly desirable. Strategic Thinker: Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyze market trends, and formulate product strategies that lead to successful business outcomes. Technical Aptitude: Possess a solid understanding of software development processes and the ability to effectively communicate with engineering teams to drive product development. Customer-Centric: A passion for understanding customer needs and creating products that address their pain points and deliver exceptional value. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas and strategies to both technical and non-technical audiences. Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, using data to drive decision-making and prioritize initiatives. Adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and demonstrate flexibility in response to evolving business needs. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION: Translate Vision to Roadmap: Work with the CEO to operationalize the company vision by defining, validating and implementing product strategies; creating, validating and managing product roadmaps in support of those strategies; and identifying ways to align our products with our Consulting Services solutions. Analyze market trends, customer feedback, and competitive landscape to make data-informed decisions that drive product innovation and differentiation. Product Development: Oversee the end-to-end product development lifecycle, from ideation to launch, ensuring successful execution and timely delivery of features and enhancements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, design, marketing, and customer success to prioritize and manage product roadmap initiatives, and manage the scope and details of the product development backlog. Urban Forestry Domain Expertise: Develop a deep understanding of the urban forestry domain, including the challenges faced by cities and organizations in managing urban forests and related geospatial data. Use this knowledge to shape the product’s functionality, addressing critical pain points and delivering value to customers. Market Analysis: Conduct thorough market analysis to identify opportunities for expansion, new product offerings, and potential partnerships within the urban forestry industry. Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technological advancements to maintain a competitive edge. Customer Insights: Proactively gather customer feedback through existing and new advisory boards and insights through interviews, surveys, and data analysis. Utilize customer feedback to inform the CEO and CTO of product improvements and to enhance the overall user experience. Product Roadmap: Define and communicate the product roadmap to all stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs. Continuously prioritize features and enhancements based on customer insights. Product Launches and Marketing: Collaborate with the marketing team to plan and execute successful product launches. Ensure the development of effective marketing collateral and promotional materials to drive adoption and user engagement. This function will expand as product marketing evolves and grows. Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize analytics and data insights to make informed decisions about product performance, user behavior, and market opportunities. Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and monitor performance. COMPENSATION: Base salary commensurate with experience. Company 401(k) with employer match, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, HSA, and paid time off offered. Laptop provided by PlanIT Geo as well as other reimbursable expenses. Flexible work hours, a supportive and inclusive work culture, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and urban communities. If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for urban forestry and a proven track record in product management leadership, we encourage you to apply by emailing a cover letter and 2-page resume to senior_product_manager_position_2023@planitgeo.com. Join us in driving innovation and creating sustainable solutions for the future of urban forestry. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:: PlanIT Geo is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. At present we are only considering candidates resident in and legally authorized to work in the USA. Read our full policy here. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant here. Applicant PlanIT Geo Submitted On 08/31/2023 Number of places 1  

August 11, 2023 Issues relating to Single Sign On, Offline tab issues, Photos, the Uploader tool, and Geolocation are now resolved. FIXED Bug with the Uploader and cross walking over Species names from the source data that do not match the ones in TreePlotter FIXED Bug with the Uploader and cross walking more than one value in the source data over to a single option in TreePlotter FIXED Bug with the Uploader while clicking on the arrow in the crosswalk and receiving an error message FIXED Bug with the Uploader while cross walking over values over to DO NOT MAP FIXED Bug with the Last Modified Date updating when a photo was changed or added. FIXED Bug with Offline tab ordering not being synced in the same order as TreePlotter online. FIXED Bug with the blue location dot being hidden by Nearmap or other customer basemaps. FIXED Bug with Single Sign On and IT updated users not appearing in TreePlotter.

Urban Forestry Startup Grants JUNE 30, 2023 – OCTOBER 3, 2023 Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 and require a 50–50 match (total project cost range is $2,000 to $10,000). The project sponsor must initially fund 100% of project costs with cash, in-kind contributions and/or donations. Upon completion, the project sponsor requests reimbursement for 50% of eligible costs (501[c][3] nonprofit organizations may request an advance when a grant is awarded). Only one startup grant may be awarded to an applicant per year. Projects begin Jan. 1 and must be completed within one calendar year. Learn more here. Regular Urban Forestry Grants APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT OR POSTMARKED BY 11:59 P.M., OCT. 2ND 2023 Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000 and require a 50–50 match (total project cost range is $2,000 to $50,000). The project sponsor must initially fund 100% of project costs with cash, in-kind contributions and/or donations. Upon completion, the project sponsor requests reimbursement for 50% of eligible costs (501[c][3] nonprofit organizations may request an advance when a grant is awarded). Projects begin Jan. 1 and must be completed within one calendar year. Learn more here.

City of Richmond, VA – Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant Program APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 4TH, 2023 The Office of Sustainability is now accepting applications for the Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant Program which will support the work of non-profit organizations & partners in Richmond on the frontlines of climate change throughout the City of Richmond. Learn More

South Dakota Urban Forestry Grants FALL/YEAR ROUND Community Forestry Grant Through the Urban & Community Forestry Program, the division has provided financial assistance to our communities each year since 1991. A portion of the division’s annual allocation of Urban and Community Forestry Assistance funds from the US Forest Service is awarded to communities in the form of Challenge grants. These grants are used to fund community forestry projects that solve a specific community forestry problem or demonstrate the importance of trees in our communities. The community or service organization must match Challenge grants. Learn More

NJ Urban & Community Forestry Program (NJUCF) APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 25TH, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. (EST) Pursuant to the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act, N.J.S.A.13:1L-17.4(c), one purpose of the New Jersey Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program (NJUCF) is to provide grants to local governments and shade tree commissions to assist in the implementation of an approved comprehensive Community Forestry Management Plan (CFMP) to the extent monies are appropriated or otherwise made available. The NJUCF Stewardship Grant was established to provide this financial assistance. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to encourage projects that strongly link the use of best management practices to achieve urban and community forestry management goals defined in the CFMP. Learn More

Community Forestry Grants APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13TH To provide funds for projects that address the urban forestry needs of municipal governments, schools, nonprofit organizations and volunteer groups throughout Michigan. These projects may include: tree inventories, management plans, tree planting, educational workshops, training materials, and Arbor Day activities. Learn more here.

Community Forestry Grant Program APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 23RD, 2023 AT 4:30 P.M. (CST) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Reforestation funds through the USDA Forest Service & National Association of State Foresters (NASF) 2022 State Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program. The Community Forestry Grant Program provides reimbursable grants to be used to purchase and plant trees suitable to Iowa. Award recipients in the 97counties impacted emerald ash borer will be awarded the federal EAB Reforestation funds and are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match. A total of $75,000 in funds are available. Award recipients will be reimbursed $500 to $5,000 to purchase trees and materials from Iowa businesses. Apply Now

DUE BY JULY 20TH, 2023 AT 11:59 P.M. (HST) This grant program encourages community involvement in creating and supporting long-term and sustained urban and community forestry across Hawai‘i. Kaulunani has awarded grants to hundreds of non-profit groups, schools, community organizations, parks, museums and arboretums. As of 2023, over $4.6 million dollars has been awarded to over 450 projects through these cost-share grants, which have been matched by over $9 million dollars in cash and in-kind contributions. Learn More

APPLICATIONS DUE BY 6 P.M. EASTERN (5 P.M. CENTRAL) NOVEMBER 30, 2023. This funding opportunity is for projects with on-the-ground outcomes across the 20 Northeast and Midwest states: CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, OH, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WI, and WV. The purpose of the Landscape Scale Restoration competitive grant program is to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes. This program supports, high impact projects that lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape, leverage public and private resources, and further priorities identified in each State Forest Action Plan or equivalent restoration strategy. Learn more here.