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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/24/2021 cc - Tarkinkgton (Urban Forestry Division Staffing) Wilbanks, Megan Subject:RE: Urban Forestry Services From: Joanne Tarkinkgton < Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 12:31 PM To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org> Subject: Fwd: Urban Forestry Services Begin forwarded message: From: Joanne Tarkinkgton < Subject: Attention Tree committee Date: March 24, 2021 at 12:21:34 PM PDT To: advisorybodies@slocity.org "After over 30 years of Tree City USA, countless hours providing personalized tree related services to the citizens of SLO. Educating students from kindergarten through university on the wonders and benefits of trees.Organizing annual "Arbor Day” events. Holding trainings designed for industry professionals to inform and educate on all city wide regulations. Managing a commemorative tree planting program at Laguna Lake since 1989.The Urban Forest Services Dept. Under the guise of Covid, is being purposely dismantled. The Dept. heads and supervisors are actively encouraging the last two highly qualified crew members to seek employment elsewhere because they cannot guarantee them any hope for a future in this division. ‘Streets are important. There is a Streets maintenance Dept. And Parks, and Building Maintenance the same, Aren’t trees equally as important? Letting these dedicated and qualified Arborists swing in the wind like this? In my opinion, letting go of an already trained and proven "in house" Urban Forestry Division is short sighted at best and in no way serves the citizens of San Luis Obispo. 1