Arboriculture/Urban Forestry Technician

Students acquire the skills to safely operate a chainsaw in the arboricultural industry. Emphasis is placed on identifying the importance and adopting the methods of personal protective equipment, safe chainsaw operation, routine maintenance, and common chainsaw cutting techniques in accordance with best management practices and current industry standards. Students will develop chainsaw skills in a variety of field exercises that focus on techniques used in tree pruning and removal, including the by-pass cut, open face notching, bore cutting, and wedging.

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

Students examine the basic safety requirements, equipment, and techniques employed by arborist who work aloft. Using a rope-and-harness and an aerial lift, students develop the skills to conduct aerial arboriculture (tree care). An emphasis is placed on recognizing electrical hazards, tying knots, tree ascension, limb walking, and maneuvering through the tree canopy. Students who choose to remain on the ground learn the skills to assist a climber working aloft.

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

This course introduces students to woody shrub and tree identification of species commonly used in Wisconsin commercial and residential landscapes. Students develop techniques and basic skills necessary for plant identification and learn the cultural practices required to grow healthy woody plants.

In this course, students examine insect and pest problems associated with the urban landscape. They analyze plant healthcare issues and identify methods of providing treatment through invasive and non-invasive practices. The learners explore the difference between invasive and non-invasive treatment strategies. Upon completion of this course, the learners will be able to implement plant health care treatment strategies for common insect, disease, and abiotic issues in the Midwest.

Students explore and develop skills in the art and science of tree pruning. Young tree training and mature tree maintenance are emphasized. Learners use tree pruning techniques and follow safety requirements set by current industry standards.

Students examine the science and profession of horticulture, including its role and importance of throughout history, current trends, and careers. Learners will identify horticulture crops, crop use and interrelationships among the environment, plant growth, and plant development.

Students examine the relationship between the human population and natural resources over time, and the effect of that relationship on sustainability. Global resources, environmental concerns, and the human dimensions of resource management are explored from biological, socioeconomic, and sustainability perspectives.

Learn how to apply pesticides safely and legally. This class prepares students to take the Wisconsin State pesticide applicator exam with the certification exam given during class. Anyone applying chemicals to someone else's property is required to obtain this certification.

This course is intended to develop analytic reasoning and the ability to solve quantitative problems. Topics to be covered may include: construction & interpretation of graphs; descriptive statistics; geometry & spatial visualizations; math of finance; functions and modeling; probability; and logic. Appropriate use of units and dimensions, estimates, mathematical notation, and available technology will be emphasized throughout the course.

In this course, students examine ground and work site management, aerial rescue, and electrical hazard awareness. Building on acquired tree work skills, students develop occupational skills required by professional arborists. Students identify tree pruning needs, create a work plan to ascend the tree, and achieve the established goals. Students may complete the requirements of the course from aloft or from the ground. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to apply [basic] tree care methods, techniques, and behaviors of professional arborists.

Students examine the biology of tree systems and explore tree growth and development. Compartmentalization of wounds and adaptation of trees to their surrounding and environment are emphasized. Through participation in this course, students will acquire a framework for arboriculture.

Please complete 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication or 801-198 Speech. This is for informational purposes only. Once you register for your course, you can delete this block from your timeline.

Please complete 809-166 Ethics: Theory & Applications or 809-195 intro to Economics This is for informational purposes only. Once you register for your course, you can delete this block from your timeline.

Students explore how trees interact with their environment and with one another, at different spatial and temporal scales. Concepts developed in botany and ecology are further examined with an emphasis on woody plant classification and the life history and characteristics of forest trees. Skills acquired through this course are tree identification and the ability to identify where different tree species thrive.

Student explore the basic principles of ecology and examine their application in the management of natural resources. Exploration of the scientific method and interactions between and amongst species are emphasized. Students will acquire hands-on skills with measurements and data collection, research, preparation of technical reports, and use of computer models.

Students investigate the framework for fundamental natural resource disciplines by examining the principles and practices of fisheries, forest management, and wildlife management. This course also examines how goods can be produced and services provided while maintaining ecosystem integrity and functions.

Maintenance of industrial, public, institutional, and private grounds. Also covers operation and management of an ornamental nursery. Labs include pruning, balling and burlapping, procedures for preventing winter injury, and field trips.

In this course, students build on tree work skills acquired in Tree Care Practicum 1. In an urban setting, students practice supporting and conducting technical aerial tree removal. Students identify: methods of safe tree removal, aerial felling of branches, placement and use of rigging equipment, and chainsaw use in a tree. Safe and effective rigging operation techniques are emphasized. Methods to increase crew efficiency and support aerial crew members are presented and practiced. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to support and conduct aerial tree removal.

Students acquire skills in techniques, tools, and pieces of equipment used to manage trees and tree populations that make up the urban forest. Students will explore tree inventory practices and pruning cycles used to maintain a city tree population. Students will also identify and examine the necessity of tree species diversity within urban environments. This course further explores arboricultural career options available from commercial, municipal, and utility employers.

In this course, students integrate occupational skills with professional practice. Students examine tree care operations, communications, and planning by engaging in opportunities to report work performed, manage resources, and apply communication and interpersonal skills to a variety of occupational situations. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to explain safe work practices and to effectively lead work activities. Additionally, students will be able to provide clients with ethical and appropriate tree care recommendations.

Students explore integrated concepts of soil and water resources at the landscape level. The course examines how physical, chemical, and biological interactions relate to watershed processes, and how these interactions respond to land use and management.

This course focuses on classification and identification of ornamental plant insects, diseases, and injury caused by non-living agents. Students will examine the methods by which living organisms and non-living environmental factors cause plant damage. Skills in diagnostics, damage assessment, sample preparation, and control strategies are acquired.

This course introduces students to some of the major theories and topics of psychology, including the physiological basis of behavior, personality and learning theories, memory, states of consciousness, stress, research methods, intelligence, human development, psychopathology, and social behavior.