Celebrating Industry Involvement: A Passion for Community Support & Recognition
- Aug 5
- 6 min read
Since 1999, ACTE has supported grassroots arboriculture industry events across Canada. Driven by a strong belief in fostering industry growth and fellowship, ACTE works diligently to serve and support various regional events and make charitable contributions. Every year, the organization donates prize packages, including prestigious awards like The Spirit of the Competition and the Dream Team Award, along with program donations that benefit many industry events. This post details how Arboriculture Canada commits to nurturing talent, community, and the future of arboriculture among a growing industry.
For more information on various industry involvement activities, events, awards and presentations visit our industry involvement page.
The Spirit of the Competition
Regional tree climbing competitions are a grassroots way to get involved, stay connected and grown among the industry. The Spirit of the Competition award is given at tree climbing competitions to honor individuals who exhibit exceptional skills and characteristics that positively influence the community and industry.
Regional tree climbing competitions are indispensable for bringing people together and allowing participants to showcase their dedication, sharing knowledge and connect among each other. Tree climbing competitions can range between 20 - 60 competitors and volunteers who come together to safely organize and run these special events.
The award is voted on by all volunteers and competitors attending the competition to recognize and award one individual (Volunteer or Competitor) with the Spirit of the Competition.
Nomination Criteria:
All Competitor's and Volunteer's vote for an individual who, in their opinion, by the manner in which they conduct themselves, personal character and attitude (wherever they were placed), best fulfil the following criteria:
Promotes a feeling of camaraderie among fellow competitors and volunteers
Demonstrates a genuine interest in helping others do better
Gives his or her best and gains from the experience
Enriches the event for everyone else present, by the manner in which he or she participated.
The award recipient should represent the “Spirit of the Competition” and uphold and promote the best traditions of the tree climbing competition.
The recipient of Spirit of the Competition will receive the following award and prize package:
Commemorative Award Sponsored by Arboriculture Canada Training & Education
Gift Certificate for one Arboriculture Canada Training & Education Ltd. 2-Day Training Module (value of $835 CAD). This value can be used for any course and is transferable to a friend as well. It carries an expiration date of one year from date of issue.
Various contributions made by ArborCanada Corporate Partners, to be determined annually.
Congratulations to all past, present and future recipients of this honorable and significant legacy award of recognition.
To view the current & past awardees for The Spirit of The Competition Award, visit ArborCanada's Industry Involvement page. Click the button bellow to be directly navigated there.
The Dream Team
Volunteering is at the core of regional tree climbing competition event planning and operation. Without the dedication and commitment by individuals who give their time and expertise, these regional events do not happen. It is important to recognize these individuals and their significant contributions towards their fellow Arborists and industry.
ArborCanada is proud to sponsor a team award that acknowledges the substantial dedication of volunteers in organizing and executing safe, seamless, professional, and enjoyable events at tree climbing competitions. These volunteers invest numerous hours in preparation, ensuring the trees are ready for a safe and entertaining event. Their contributions include:
Site Set-up and pre-event prep
Logistics such as parking, maps, bathrooms & food
Public Engagement
Climber Safety including gear checks and emergency readiness
Event planning such as scenarios and test runs to ensure a quality climb
Event judging, technician duties, timekeeping and scoring
Clean-up, garbage, broken branches and dead limbs.
Tear down and wrap up
These are just a few of the many various task's these volunteers commit towards and work together to make happen. The Dream Team is awarded to, and title held for one year by, the preliminary event team with the most overall votes from the tree climbing competitors.
Only competitors individually vote for which preliminary event team (Aerial Rescue, Work Climb, Belayed Speed, Throwline, Ascent) displayed the highest professionalism, organization and overall excellence in running their event.
Nomination Criteria:
Only competitors vote for one single preliminary event team who, in their opinion, by the way they conduct themselves, professionalism and attitude (throughout the competition) best fulfil the following criteria:
Displays high organization and smooth operations
Demonstrate professionalism, safety and expertise
Clearly answers questions, supports and guides climbers
Establishes an engaging, fun and safe event which exemplifies teamwork and communication.
The awarded team should represent the “Dream Team” and uphold and promote the best traditions of the tree climbing competition overall in event operation.
The recipients of The Dream Team award will receive a Commemorative Award Sponsored by Arboriculture Canada Training & Education. This award is to be kept by the local regional ISA chapter and re-awarded annually during each event as voted upon. The title is held for one year and re-awarded during the next vote.
For an update on current and past Dream Team awards please visit the industry involvement page or click the button bellow to be navigated directly there.
Supporting Arboriculture through Donations
In addition to The Spirit of the Competition & Dream Team, ACTE supports the industry through charitable contributions. Each year, the organization donates items for silent auctions at regional conferences, offering promotional packages that often include valuable training opportunities.
Arboriculture Canada's Supported Events
ACTE plays a crucial role in numerous regional events throughout Canada, each designed to uplift the arboricultural community. Here is a closer look at some of these significant gatherings:
Atlantic Region
The ISA Atlantic TCC, held in spring, provides an engaging platform for tree climbing professionals to showcase their skills and learn from each other. In 2023, attendance increased by 20%, reflecting the community's growing interest.
Ontario
The ISA Ontario TCC takes place in September, allowing individuals to demonstrate their tree climbing expertise. This event supports both novice and experienced arborists, leading to the development of skills essential for their careers.
Alberta
The ISA Prairie Chapter TCC, held at the end of August, offers participants a chance to connect, compete, and build relationships. In recent years, the event has attracted more than 60 participants, highlighting its significance in the industry.
British Columbia
The BC Regional TCC takes place in July, emphasizing skill and technique while fostering community among participants. This event has seen yearly growth, with a 30% increase in attendees from 2022 to 2023.
Prairie Chapter Women in the Trees
This initiative supports diversity in the field by empowering women in arboriculture. It creates unique learning and networking opportunities, promoting an inclusive environment.
Other Industry Involvements
Alberta – Conference and Silent Auction
The annual conference and silent auction in Alberta bring together industry members to share knowledge and bid on items that support community sustainability. In 2022, the auction raised over $5,000 for local tree-planting initiatives.
Ontario – Conference and Silent Auction
ACTE’s Ontario conference and silent auction continue to enhance professional development while supporting critical funding initiatives in arboriculture. In 2023, this event attracted over 200 attendees, showcasing the community's dedication to growth and education.
Atmos Tree
An Alliance of Arborists Offsetting their Removals 2:1 The 2:1 tREeCYCLE Program was designed as a regenerative solution for arborists and their clients when removing a tree. Atmos Tree ensures the planting of 2 trees for every client contribution made to the alliance. The 2:1 badge can be proudly displayed by alliance partners committed to making a global change.
Read More Here:
Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada
Arboriculture Canada supports on the job training and education for climbers working for conservation of Whitebark pine. This conservation imitative is performed by various groups across Canada. One of the primary groups is the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada. Most recently, ArborCanada delivered a custom qualification program in Tree Climber Access for Cone Collection.
Read More Here:
Pileated Woodpecker Conservation
ArborCanada is dedicated to empowering professionals through practical arboriculture safety training and education. Our commitment extends to supporting various sectors within the industry, including research and conservation efforts. Researchers Corey and Simran from the University of Alberta, along with ArborCanada's lead instructor Charlene Scott and Senior Vice President Dwayne Neustaeter, collaborate on tree climbing in the scenic west country of central Alberta.
Read More Here:
Reflecting
ACTE's steadfast commitment to the arboriculture community since 1999 is galvanized by all of the team members and tree people alike who come together to make events special and memorable. Thank you all for your industry involvement. As we celebrate, we recognize all efforts towards cooperation, mentorship, and growth within the community. Together, we can ensure that the spirit of safety, competition and teamwork flourishes, paving the way for a vibrant future in our industry.
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