See the forest for the trees

Do you have a passion for trees and shrubs? Want to learn more about the health and maintenance of these woody wonders? With the online Manitoba Arborists course through the University of Manitoba, you can now study tree care from the comfort of your home.

Offered by the School of Agriculture, the course covers tree biology, plant classification and identification, soil science and tree worker safety. Participants learn about proper tree pruning techniques as well as the issues that affect urban tree health, including environmental stresses and forest pests and diseases.

“The online format makes this course accessible to anyone in Manitoba and may be of interest to those looking to care for trees and shrubs on their own property,” says Michele Rogalsky, Director of the School. “This course is also ideal for entrepreneurs thinking of becoming professional arborists.”

Under provincial law, anyone who provides tree care or pruning for financial gain in Manitoba must have a valid Manitoba Arborists Licence. Completion of the Manitoba Arborists Training Program prepares students for the licensing examination, which is administered by the School.

The Manitoba Arborists course has been taught on campus since 1997, and recently also became a web-based offering through UM Learn, the University of Manitoba’s online learning management system. The online course closely mirrors the 12 weekly sections covered in the in-class course, but allows students the flexibility to learn the material at their own pace and on their own time.

Registration is now open for the next session, which begins January 11, 2016. Don’t delay as registration will close December 18, 2015. Learn more and register at www.ManitobaArborists.ca.

Students in the most recent course praised the format and the content:

• “I am enjoying the course as it serves me well in my role here in Morden. University was a few years back and this is a great refresher!” Shawn Dias, City of Morden – Parks, Morden, MB
• “I am finding the tree identification sections very useful. I am learning to distinguish the species and cultivars, not just the genus level identification.” Dana Race, Stonewall, MB
• “I was able to work on the course at the times best suited to my own schedule with no vehicular cost and all my time was invested in studying, not driving. If given a choice of online or classroom again, given the distance I live from a large centre, I would most certainly take the online version.” Terry Fehr, Gladstone, MB

Crystal Jorgenson