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Our conference theme is “Digging In: An Exploration of Arboriculture.”  Our focus this year will be on providing an in-depth look at a variety of topics.  But fear not!  “In-depth” does not mean that the topics will all be intended for an expert audience: we welcome presentations at all levels, as long as they provide a comprehensive look at the topic. 

We are especially interested in presentations that include one or more of the following topics that were specifically highlighted by the WCISA members:  Pruning; Tree Preservation; Risk Assessment; Risk Management; Plant Health Care; Diagnostic Process; Abiotic Disorders; Biotic Disorders; Soil Science; Water Relations and Irrigation. But do not feel constrained – you are also invited to “dig in” to any other topic of interest to practicing arborists in the West.

The Committee is especially interested in receiving proposals from all of the professional affiliations in arboriculture: commercial arborists, consulting arborists, municipal foresters, utility arborists, climbing arborists, and others.  We encourage the proposal-writers to explicitly state the professional affiliation(s) to which their proposal is especially relevant, and we welcome proposals that clearly address more than one professional affiliation.

Some ideas you might not have considered:

• A perennial favorite: preservation of large trees in difficult spaces and sites.
• A hands-on demonstration of… (see one of the topic areas above)
• A curated outdoor demonstration of _________
• A presentation really “digging in” to the interaction of arboriculture with _________ (energy? Utility issues? Health? Water?).
• Another perennial favorite: “digging in” to some aspect of climate change and arboriculture
• Of interest to our president, Daniel Goyette, tree planting now for future trees

The conference committee invites you to share your experience, expertise, and professional knowledge by submitting a presentation proposal.  

The deadline for submitting proposals is 5pm, Friday, October 28^th, 2022.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

The preferred proposal format is submitting online through this link.  Proposals may also be emailed to Rose Epperson (repperson@wcisa.net) and If necessary, they may be mailed to WCISA 2023 Program Committee, 31910 Country Club Dr. Porterville, CA 93257.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the 2023 Program Committee (see below) or  Executive Director, Rose Epperson (repperson@wcisa.net).

2023 Program Committee

• Zeno Acton – actonarboriculture@gmail.com
• Ethan Glicker – ethan.gicker@gmail.com
• Wendy Hanson-Mazet – hansonw@unce.unr.edu
• Igor Lacan – ilacan@ucanr.edu

We are grateful to the sponsors who helped make the conference shine. We couldn’t do it without you.

KEEP OUR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY HEALTHY: In an effort to protect the health and safety of our members and attendees, the Western Chapter ISA Board of Directors adopted a COVID Policy for the 88th Annual Conference in January. Per policy, masks will be required in all meeting rooms and events except when actively eating or drinking. The full COVID Event Policy can be viewed here – https://wcisaconnect.com/covid-info/ Share your key takeaways and experiences on social media! Tweet or post using hashtag #wcisa2022 #wcisaconnect to keep the conversation going!

Registration Registration opens Monday, May 2nd at 3:00 pm. It is located in the Grand Ballroom atrium. Can’t make it before registration closes at 5:30 pm? Don’t worry it opens back up on Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00 am.   Don’t forget the fun! If you are interested in any of our optional events (Thursday’s WIA breakfast and afternoon tours) and activities….It’s not to late to grab your tickets. Just visit Heather at the registration desk and she can get you taken care of.   If you’re onsite early Monday, jump on the trolley to the historic cypress lawn arboretum…..Departs from the Marriott at 11am. Stop by the registration to grab a seat.

Attire Casual attire is welcome. Bring a light sweater in case the conference room get a bit chilly.   Wednesday evening’s Annual Banquet is your chance to get a little fancy if you’d like! Jeans are perfectly acceptable also.

Weather The average high temperature in May is in the high 60s. For those not from the bay area you’ll learn that layering is key. Many microclimates – even throughout the conference center (room to room).

Getting there! Oakland International Airport (OAK) is only 8 miles away with convenient subway service adjacent to hotel. Alternative transportation would be City Express Shuttle, Uber, Lyft, Taxi. For locals if not staying at the hotel you can use BART if you don’t want to drive.

Parking There is a parking garage onsite and we have arranged a discounted parking rate for our attendees not stay at the hotel. The daily rate is $20.

Schedule of Events Your first stop when you arrive is the Registration Desk! Come by any time you have a question and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. We’ll be in the lobby all week. For a complete schedule of events Click Here

Silent Auction Plan your bidding strategy in advance and win some fabulous items. Silent Auction closes on Wednesday evening during the Annual banquet.

• Attendance: $50/person
• Cap for attendance: 22
• Meeting site/time: Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway at 11 AM on 5/2 (trolley will transport guests round-trip, back to Marriott by ~4 PM)
• Tour will include:
  • ~1.5 hour walking circuit of historic East Campus of Cypress Lawn, beginning at original iconic archway from 1892 (start time goal is noon, with trolley transit allotted for ~1 hour)
  • Lunch (catered by Esposto’s) from 1:30-2:30 in Section K of East Campus, in shade of our champion cork oak!
  • Commemorative tree planting in honor of 88^th WCISA annual conference to close event from 2:30 – 3 pm
• Register Now

Step 1 – register for the ride 

Step 2 – build your fundraising page and donate the first $125.00 to jumpstart your campaign.  (It counts towards your $775.00 fundraising minimum).

Step 3 – get outside and RIDE! 

🌳🚴🏼 See you on May 2nd! 🚴🏻‍♀️🌳

https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/city-vaccination-mandate-ordinance

Where Proof of Vaccination is Required

You will be required to show proof that you have been vaccinated to enter some indoor places in Oakland, like:

• Establishments or events where food or drink is served including restaurants, bars, coffee houses, clubs, and banquet halls
• Entertainment venues including theaters, concert venues, museums, and recreation facilities
• Gyms, fitness centers and yoga studios
• Senior adult care facilities and City senior programs
• City Hall
• Large indoor events at city and privately-owned facilities

Western Chapter ISA COVID Policy

In an effort to protect the health and safety of our members and attendees the Western Chapter ISA approved a COVID Policy for the 88th Annual Conference to take effect immediately. This policy is in line with the guidelines and regulations of the City of Oakland.