Question for those going to Portland ISA conf.

[treewill]

Hi all,

I have a question for those on the buzz that are planning (or even considering) coming to the 2012 ISA conference in Portland, OR.

We're planning an 'Old Growth Ecology Tour', which will be a half day tour of an amazing old-growth douglas fir forest at the Audubon Society property in the west hills of Portland. There will be three aspects to the tour: a guided walk through the forest with a naturalist explaining the ecology of this forest, a tour of the Audubon care center to see and learn about native birds up close, and a canopy tour, which involves riding one or two elevator systems to the top of an old growth doug fir with a naturalist explaining features of the canopy ecosystem and big tree crown architecture.

Is this something you would sign up for? It's going to be scheduled for thursday and friday BEFORE the competition, and cost is estimated at about $150.

This will be a small event, maximum 60 slots total over 2 days, I just want to get an idea if enough people will sign up to make it happen. I'm a bit concerned that having it take place in the days before the conference really starts will prevent a lot of people from participating, but that's how it needs to be.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[treegazer]

That all sounds good, especially the canopy tour. I'm considering going to the conference but I haven't made any firm commitments yet.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Sounds like a great idea!

 

[whiz]

I would send my wife and son and I know they'd love it but I'll have to work ITCC. In short, yes!

 

[tomthetreeman]

It does indeed sound good, but I'm not sure that I can fit it in as I'm hoping to do some actual big tree climbing as well. But in short, YES, it is something that I would do.

-Tom

 

[lumberjackson]

Definitely! Count me in

 

[zevr]

That sounds great! Would there be transportation for those flying in?

 

[treegazer]

Good question. If I go I want to NOT rent a car. I know I can use the train and buses for most of where I want to go.

 

[treewill]

Transportation from the Lloyd Center area (right near the convention center) is gonna be included in the ticket price, so no worries there. Besides, if you're coming to visit don't rent a car, rent a bike! You'll save money and have way more fun, plus you can take it on a bus or light rail for longer journeys.

One thing I may not have explained properly in the initial post is that the idea of this tour is to tie the forest in with the creatures that depend on it. So rather than just knowing in your mind that 'birds of prey like dead tree tops' you'll get to see the birds up close (we're talking everything from turkey vultures to peregrine falcons and all manner of owls) and see the tree features they rely on.

Again we're hoping to foster appreciation and understanding of the natural state of forests, and break that habit we tree folk often have of wanting everything to be so damn clean.

Again thanks for your input and please keep it coming. Especially if you CAN'T make it because of the dates but want to, I need to hear from you.

 

[guymayor]

$150 for a half day?

If the number of respondents gets better, will the numbers in the price get better?

 

[EyesUp]

Sounds like a great experience. I'm wondering about timing. Would this overlap gear inspection?

 

[pruninggal]

I think the price is reasonable. Will, I think you're sure to fill this up, esp. when those not on TB get wind of it, so to speak.

 

[TreeTramp]

Stan and I have helped TreeClimbers International conduct the Fun Climb in both St. Louis and Chicago and we were wondering who in the Portland area is doing so next year. If you know we would like to be updated. We would like to see more involvement with groups with special personal challenges. Dan, Tree Climbing Kansas City