Letter from the President

2020 has been a year of change and challenge for everyone, and this includes the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut. With COVID-19 on a rampage since March, we have changed our way of life by sheltering from others and making a norm of cleanliness. We have all become accustomed to wearing masks to protect ourselves and others from the virus spread through airborne transmission. The way business was conducted needed to change so that everyone could maintain a safe distance from others. All this, and yet the Tree Wardens Association maintained our working presence and fulfilled our goal of continuing to educate our members. This year we need to give credit to Annie Mixsell and Bob Ricard for keeping the Tree Wardens School operating virtually and being creative with their in-person sessions. A special thanks to Dr. Claire Rutledge and Dr. Yonghao Li from the Agricultural Experiment Station, and Dr. Beth Brantley from Bartlett, for assisting this year and lending their expertise in the classroom. Without all of their effort, the school program would not have happened.

The Board of Directors kept extra busy during the year by developing the lunch and learn workshops, maintaining the operating budget, and planning our future. All of this was done through Zoom meetings and phone calls. We were all disappointed this year that COVID-19 prevented us from conducting our annual meeting and dinner at J. Timothy’s as planned. Even though, we are optimistic that if things go well, we will have the opportunity to try again in the upcoming summer months. I do believe that some of the changes in the way business and meetings are conducted in the future may become permanent. On a positive note, there have been opportunities to save money and time, and we’ll have to see what changes the New Year brings. But let’s hope that as we progress, we don’t lose the personal connections that we share within the Association and with the other groups within the tree industry. These connections form the relationships and friendships that should last a lifetime. I am hoping that the New Year presents a healthy and happy new beginning for everyone and we will continue to work to have a productive year for the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut.

Kevin J. Kelly

President

Tree Wardens Association of CT