Professional Exchange proposal – Vancouver Canada
As a consulting arborist and urban forester, and have been enjoying reading your discussion group. In 2005, I recently participated in an exchange program organized by the American Society of Municipal Arborists and had one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. There is no such program organized between Canada and the UK, but there shouldn’t be too much to make an informal arrangement. I would like to find an interested person in the UK who would come to my
city, stay at my townhouse, and take a tree/forest oriented vacation. In return, I ask for a similar visit with you, though I am fond of the countryside. Two weeks at least. We would both stand to learn a lot about the opposite sides of Atlantic, and cut out expensive hotel costs. It could be as structured or unstructured as we feel. The savings on accommodation are worth the arrangement in themselves.
About me
Age / gender 48 male
Heritage Scottish
Perthshire/Kelso
Family status married, one teenaged son at home,
short haired cat
Demeanor casual, but keenly interested in
science and history
likes outdoors, and a little time in the pub
Professional status Superintendent of Forestry – Stanley Park
Proprietor of Lynn Canyon
Arborist Consultants
( lots of other things )
Affiliations International Society of Arboriculture
Society of Municipal Arborists
British Columbia Association
of Professional Foresters
Specialties Establishing trees in the urban environment
Managing forests in the urban interface
Storm restoration
Tree inventory databases
Dendrology, forest ecology
About my city
Greater Vancouver British Columbia, Canada has a population of 1.5 million. It is located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and within the Coast Mountain Range of North America. It has been repeatedly selected as one of the world’s top ten most livable cities. Winter is rainy but mild, not unlike that of the UK. Local ski mountains can be accessed within 30 minutes, and they are decidedly snowy. Spring/summer/ and fall are perfect for all tastes.
This unaffiliated website sums it up nicely
About my home and neighbourhood
My townhouse is 1300 sq ft, split level, clean and fully equipped. You would share it with my wife and my son. The uppermost level, > 300 sq ft, would be your private room. Kitchen and 2 bathrooms would be shared.
It is located in the historic village of Lynn Valley, an old logging town turned metropolitan suburb. Transit and driving time to downtown Vancouver is 20 – 40 minutes. From my home, it is a short walking distance to the local shopping mall, and to adjacent mountain wilderness. Aerial photos of the community can be seen at:
Insider tours to be selected from
Stanley Park
Vandusen or UBC Botanical Gardens
Malcom Knapps Research Forest
Street trees of Vancouver
Old growth coastal rain forests
Alpine meadows
Wilderness camping
Whistler, Victoria, Seattle etc
What I would like to get from it ….
A two week stay in the UK with a friendly face.
Some local knowledge so that I can immerse myself in your locale
A tree tour or two, but I would understand if you’re busy
Terms
Determined in advance by gentlemen’s agreement. Spouses ok. Participants should be interested in arboriculture and/or forestry. Room is available during the 2010 Winter Olympic period as well.
