Conference Wrap Up

The conference venue. We didn't have such high numbers for the conference. Surprising, eh?

I've just said goodbye to many new friends after nearly a week of tree anatomy and mingling with some of the keenest and most interesting minds in urban forestry and arboriculture. The conference was attended by professionals from Australia, Sweden, Canada, America, Hong Kong etc. It's a long list of countries and people who are interested in this industry. I'd call them tree huggers, but most are tree planters, managers, cutters, pruners, removers and c;limbers. Tree hugging is far too narrow a designation. The adventures at the conference have led me to compile a list of possible ‘side quests’ to explore in anticipation of the next year down undah:

• Investigate urban forestry in Hong Kong
• Visit M. in Adelaide and learn about Tree Environs
• Arb Australia in Adelaide
• 2 Stories for Arb Aus
• 2 Stories for Ont Arborist
• Visit A. for Climbing in Brisbane
• Climb a Red Gum with M. in Melbourne
• Visit Centurion (Tallest flowering tree in the world)
• Meet Tom Greenwood (again)
• Tell someone in Canada about M.C. and his project
• Track down A. T.

No guarantee they’ll get done, but that’s why they’re side quests…. Simply bonus adventures to add depth to the main story. Hey, they may even lead to a better ending score.

The major idea that I’ve got walking away from the conference is that this country is so big, the techniques so varied, and my time so short that I’ve resolved there’s only two approaches:

1. Accept the fact that I can’t do everything I want to do
2. Forgo sleep and save all the tiredness for the ride back*

I think we know the answer to that question. Now, this isn’t including trips to Hong Kong, PNG or New Zealand. I figure I can sleep on the plane there too…

*this doesn't mean skipping out on naps though. Especially the ones on nice warm days in the park. Those are their own adventure...