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Program Details

 

Complete program details are available below:

Note: Leadership sessions occur from 1 pm to 2 pm, daily on Feb 22, 23, and 24.

Learning credits have been approved for PIBC and BCSLA. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) have been approved for ISA. View the Continuing Education Credits page for details on how to claim learning credits.

ISA Certification Key: A = Certified Arborist | U = Utility Specialist  |  T = TW Climber Specialist | M = Municipal Specialist | Bs = BCMA Science | Bp = BCMA Practice | Bm = BCMA Management | L = TW Aerial Lift Specialist

Tuesday, February 22 – Maintenance Day

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TIME

 SESSIONS

CEUs/CECs

8:00 – 9:05 am

Keynote:

FireSmart Your Community Presented by Robin Clark

Wildfires in communities is no longer a question of if it will happen, but when it will happen. Like all emergencies, preparedness is the key. FireSmart strategies provide a proven pathway to saving or minimizing the impacts of wildfires on critical infrastructures and homes in your community.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

 

9:15 – 10:15 am

Trends in Synthetic Turf Presented by Doug Wournell

A look at trends in the synthetic turf industry, including products, sustainability/recycling, needs vs. environmental concerns, and maintenance practices. Participants will gain a good base knowledge of the trends in synthetic turf so they will be able to provide informed answers to municipal councils on turf products and the benefits vs. the environmental concerns of synthetic turf.

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CECs

 

 

10:30 – 11:30 am

Innovations in Operations and Park Activation Presented by Nikki Higgs and Darren Peterson

In this session, we will hear from Nikki Higgs from the City of Surrey and Darrern Peterson from the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. Nikki will discuss how implementing customizable reporting apps into their day to day operations has become an effiecient and responsive maintenance strategy. Darren will highlight the work of Team Up and Urban Parks Activations that Vancouver is using as a strategy to improve safety and cleanliness in parks.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

 

 

11:45 – 12:45 pm

Strathcona Park Decampment Presented by Amit Gandha

This case study will review the collaborative approach that was taken through the different phases of the Strathcona Park Decampment process. You will hear behind the scenes stories, insights, and lessons learned.

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

1:00 – 2:00 pm

(Leadership Stream)

Promoting Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace Presented by Dr. Kristin Buhr

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all major areas of our lives including work. The pandemic has led to major changes in how and where we work, which has put a strain on our resources and coping abilities. This additional stress can lead to heightened anxiety, burnout, disengagement, and low mood. As a result, it’s important to address mental health in the workplace.

In this session, you will learn about cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies for managing mental health issues and improving emotional wellness, learn strategies to to discuss mental health in the workplace and to support staff, and become familiar with key resources for promoting mental health.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; U - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU; T - 1 CEU; L - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

 

Wednesday, February 23 – Horticulture Day

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TIME

 SESSIONS

CEUs/CECs

8:00 – 9:05 am

Keynote:

Plants and Trees of the Future – A New Perspective in a Changing Environment Presented by Brian Minter

This past year of extreme weather has created a new reality in the types of plants needed for urban forests, parks and gardens. Not only must they have more diverse weather tolerance, but also be more wildlife, people and environmentally friendly. Participants will have a better perspective on trees and plants that are more drought, heat and weather tolerant for future landscape designs and for use in parks, urban forests and gardens. They will learn more about the capacity of trees to sequester carbon, produce oxygen and help cool temperatures. They will also gain a greater understanding of trees' relationships to wildlife and people.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; U - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; T - 1 CEU; L - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 033 CEC

 

9:15 – 10:15 am

Fabricated Soils as a Tool in Landscape Restoration Presented by Johanna Moretto and Karen Pyne

Did you know that the world is losing healthy soils at an alarming rate? Due to climate change and unsustainable land management practices, we are experiencing a rapid decline of fertile soils around the globe. Sustainable sources of soil amendments and fabricated soils are becoming more and more important by providing organic matter and nutrients essential for restoring landscapes. This presentation will explore soil amendments, fabricated soils and a unique soil product made from biosolids, an endlessly renewable resource.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC 

 

10:30 – 11:30 am

Panel: The Evolution of Equitable Community Spaces and Gardens Presented by Mandy Hadfield, Aaren Topley, Lauren Sim, Ian Lai, Magnus Sinclair, Grace Augustinowicz, and Stephanie Mak

In the first half of this presentation the City of Surrey will explore how community gardens can be spaces that grow community, just as much as veggies. In 2019, the City of Surrey embarked on a partnership with Can You Dig It! to understand the gaps in community garden operations and how to build best practices that could help local community gardens thrive over time and be self-sustaining. Come and hear about our journey with these spaces and how we hope to grow community gardens and impact neighbourhoods for years to come.

In the second half of this session, Urban Bounty will discuss the importance of building relationships for the successful rollout of a community garden program. We will speak of the evolution of how we went from the "wild west" to a system that has been successful and allowed growth each year since 2010. The Urban Agriculture team will highlight wins, site management issues, and ongoing challenges. Urban Bounty will also touch base on the future of accessible garden spaces and hopes to build a group that meets quarterly around a community of practice.

ISA: A - 1 CE; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

 

11:45 – 12:45 pm

Urban Forest Policies for Climate Reslience Presented by Zhaohua (Cindy) Cheng

While being major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, cities also suffer some of the most severe climate change impacts. Urban forests have gained increasing recognition as nature-based solutions to climate change via the various benefits they provide, such as carbon sequestration and temperature regulation. Many cities have developed climate change and/or urban forest policies to enhance climate resilience and support urban livability. However, many cities are also promoting concepts such compact and walkable neighbourhoods that may have a negative impacts on urban forests. The connections among various climate action are complicated and not well studied. As more Canadian cities start to integrate urban forests as part of their climate action, there is an increasing need and urgency to understand how different climate action interact with urban forestry related action. The presentation will provide an overview of the level of alignment between climate change and urban forestry policies across big cities in Canada, and examine the possible synergies and trade-offs between various climate action and urban forestry action via a case study of municipalities in the Metro Vancouver region.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; U - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bs - 0.5 CEU; Bp - 0.5 CEU; T - 1 CEU; L - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

 

1:00 – 2:00 pm

(Leadership Stream)

The Lasting Lessons of Leading in Pandemic Times Presented by Christine McLeod

We are in seemingly never-ending waves of crisis, uncertainty and unforeseen challenges. The aftershock waves since March 2020 are leading us and our teams to seemingly irreversible burnout and stress.

Yet looking back at the last 24 months we can also use the power of reflection to pause and look at what important leadership lessons we take forward as the pandemic moves into 2022. In this session, Christine McLeod will help you consider these lessons to help you and your teams move from simply coping to thriving once more.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

 

Thursday, February 24 – Planning Day

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TIME

 SESSIONS

CEUs/CECs

8:00 – 9:05 am

Keynote:

Sports Stadiums as a Community Resource Presented by Mia Lehrer

Using Studio-MLA’s recently completed landscape design for SoFi Stadium as a case study, participants will learn about ecologically sensitive planting design that doesn’t relying solely on native plants. This session will examine how to tackle incorporating water infrastructure in parks and open spaces in a meaningful way, how parks can culturally connect disjointed communities and provide strategies to sell complex environmental ideas/solutions to your stakeholders.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.22 CEC

9:15 – 10:15 am

Incorporating Biodiversity into Urban Parks Presented by Doug Merry, Adam Rossi, and Chad Townsend

In the first half of the session, the City of Surrey’s Park Planners will present on the concept of Biodiversity Preserves in one of the province's largest and fastest growing municipalities. Through three case studies, Doug and Adam will discuss the history of how these preserves came to be, how they are different from other parks and natural areas in the City, and how the planning process has resulted in positive outcomes for the protection of sensitive ecosystem areas and a larger public awareness for biodiversity conservation in the Surrey. In the second half of this presentation, Chad will discuss how in 2019, Vancouver Park Board approved the master plan VanPlay. Key concepts included 'multiple benefits' and 'connectivity'. A future park system for Vancouver includes greater urban biodiversity, expanded forest canopy, and integrated rainwater filtration. Wildlife habitat in a city often results from a combination of open water and naturally managed park areas. As with most changes to engineered systems and publicly treasured park space though, change will not come easily.

ISA: A -1 CEU, Bm - 1 CEU, M - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

10:30 – 11:30 am

Community and Environmental Practices in Public Art Presented by Sylvia Grace Borda and Biliana Velkova

Biliana Velkova from the City of Richmond Public Art Program introduces audiences to the working dynamics of how cities approach art and the environment as part of their ongoing development and outreach. Building on these themes, artist Sylvia Grace Borda showcases how an artist can migrate from civic public art projects to deliver an eco-land creative commission with civic and community partner stakeholders. Both will discuss contingencies on how to build legacies.

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

11:45 – 12:45 pm

Managing Park Visitor Capacity in Parks Serving the Metro Vancouver Area Presented by Mike Redpath and Dylan Eyers

In this session, Dylan Eyers from BC Parks, and Mike Redpath from Metro Vancouver parks will share their respective experience implementing visitor use strategies for managing increased visitor use in Metro Vancouver's most popular parks. The presenters will analyze the pros and cons of using both the pay parking system and the day-pass system.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bm - 1 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

1:00 – 2:00 pm

(Leadership Stream)

What's Holding You Back? Climate Change and the Dragons of Inaction Presented by Robert Gifford

Almost everyone agrees that climate change is a big problem, probably the most important problem of this century. Yet, as Greta Thunberg so eloquently put it, most attempts at action end up being, "Blah, blah, blah." What are the blocks, not for governments or industry, but for the 7.7 billion of us, especially those of us in the developed world? The blocks are the Dragons of Inaction, that is, reasons we offer to fill the gap between what we think we should do, and what we actually do. In this session, the dragons are explained...as well as the ways that we can slay them. Understand the seven genera and 42 species of the Dragons of Inaction, which of them apply to themselves for each of the five main climate change emission domains in our everyday lives, and how to overcome the dragons.

ISA: A - 1 CEU; M - 1 CEU; Bs - 0.5 CEU; Bp - 0,5 CEU

PIBC: 1 CPL

BCSLA: 0.33 CEC

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Thank you to the Program Committee

Neal Aven, City of Surrey

Egan Davis, City of White Rock

Todd Gross, City of Richmond

Alexander Martin, Ironwood Urban Forestry Consulting Inc.

Nancy McLean, Independent Landscape Architect

Greg McNaughton, City of North Vancouver

Dylan Myers, City of New Westminster

Darren Peterson, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation

 

Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors!

Event Technology Sponsor
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3 Star Sponsor
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2 Star Sponsors
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Grand Prize Sponsor
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