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A GREEN TREE ACADEMY
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Urban Forestry is the care and management of urban forests (trees in urban settings) for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Urban forestry advocates the role of trees as a critical part of the urban infrastructure. Urban foresters plant and maintain trees, support appropriate tree and forest preservation, conduct research and promote the many benefits trees provide.

History:
The A Green Tree Academy was started in 2007 when Comptroller Darlene Green was contacted by Phil Berwick, a local tree care company owner, about the need for creating opportunities in the field of Urban Forestry for inner city adults. Comptroller Green brought the idea to potential partners who were all very enthusiastic about the idea. In a matter of weeks, the Academy pilot program was underway and the program has grown and improved every year since.
To date, 19 students have graduated the program. Graduates have gone on to college, started their own businesses, earned scholarships to St. Louis Community College, and got jobs in Urban Forestry.

Mission:
To provide job training, internship and job placement assistance, and life skills training to inner city adults interested in Urban Forestry.

Objectives:
  • Train inner city adults to become knowledgeable in maintaining trees on public and private lands in an urban environment.
  • Provide Urban Forestry training for job readiness.
  • Provide non credit hour "Certificates of Completion" from St. Louis Community College.
  • Introduce inner city adults to job, scholarship and educational opportunities in all the conservation-related fields.
  • Provide a platform to develop professional, entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills.
Criteria for Students:
  • Be passionate about trees, the environment and working outdoors.
  • Ages 18 to 24.
  • High school diploma or GED.
  • A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
  • Reliable transportation to attend classes at three different sites each week.
  • A willingness to commit to and complete the program.
Program Details:
  • 10-week program.
  • 15 hours per week.
  • 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday.
  • Classroom training, field training and life skills training.
  • Students are paid $7.25 an hour and will receive a certificate of completion from St. Louis Community College when they complete the program.
Instructors:
Classroom Instructor
Bruce Vawter, Certified Arborist
Owner, Forestry Consultant Services and Adjunct Horticulture Professor at St. Louis Community College.

Field Training Instructor
Phil Berwick, Certified Arborist
Owner, Living Tree Care, Inc. and Academy founding member

Life Skills Training Instructors
Various Instructors
SLATE Missouri Career Center

Funding:
  • Funding for instructional services approved by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. Funding for student stipends provided by the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE).
Partners:
City of St. Louis Comptroller’s Office
City of St. Louis Department of Forestry
St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment
St. Louis Community College
Missouri Botanical Garden
State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Living Tree Care, Inc.
Forestry Consultant Services
Droege Tree Care, Inc.
Pepsi
Pasta House
AmerenUE
Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Other information:

CONTACT INFORMATION
For information on the A Green Tree Academy
John Farrell
(314) 613-7360
(314) 622-4750 (fax)
greentree@stlouiscity.com

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