MAA NEWS June19_w | Page 14

UMass Team Places First FIRST PLAC E by Kristine Bezanson, MCA , UMass Amherst The University of Massachusetts Arboriculture Team competed in the 2019 National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO and was awarded first place in the arboriculture techniques competition. The UMass team was competing against 68 other colleges and 844 students. The competition is split up into three areas: Knowledge Exam, Climbing Skills, and Throw Line Skills. A two-person team performs in the three areas, with each team member taking the exam, and then one team mem- ber performing the climbing skills, while the other team member performs the throw line skills part of the event. UMass students have a history of doing well in this national competition winning or placing in the top three, eight times in the past ten years. Congratulations to the First Place Arboriculture Team! UMass Amherst students Michael Tilton and Cory Rebello, MCA Michael Tilton, Stockbridge Arboriculture & Community Forestry 2018 / UMass Urban Forestry 2019 partnered with Cory Rebello, Stockbridge Arboriculture & Community Forestry 2018 / UMass Urban Forestry 2020 to make up the UMass team. The objective of this event is to evaluate the skills and knowledge of the participants on general and accepted arbori- cultural practices. The competition is intended to be competitive and edu- cational for all students, regardless of their skill level. Mike is graduating this spring and will be working with Davey’s Hartney- Greymont division. Cory will spend this summer working for a tree care company and will return for next year’s NCLC competition. TUESDAY • OCTOBER 29 • 2019 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. • MHS Gardens at Elm Bank • Wellesley, MA The MAA’s new Safety Saves & Demo Day provides learning opportunities, vendor displays and demonstrations to help keep you and your crew safer and healthier while optimizing productivity. STAY TUNED Learn effective techniques & best practices to help you work safer every day Meet with leading suppliers to check out the latest equipment, climbing gear, & technology Earn valuable CEU & safety credits DETAILS COMING SOON! MassArbor.org Network, make new connections, and get business done! Staying on top of the latest tools and techniques is key to staying safe in tree care. 14 MAA NEWS / June 2019