Latest News





New Scholarship Recipient for 2023-2024

The Richard W. Harris Urban Horticulture Scholarship has been awarded to Seona Sherman of Redwood City, California. Sponsored through The Britton Fund, the annual scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who major in Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry at the University of California, Davis. Over the past eleven years, 25 students have been awarded the Harris Scholarship. Read more about the Harris Scholarship Program and Seona Sherman under Funded Programs.

“We are thrilled to support Seona’s educational journey and look forward to her contributions to the field of urban forestry. The Harris Scholarship is a vital part of The Britton Fund’s mission to nurture future leaders in arboriculture.”    Rose Epperson, Executive Director, The Britton Fund


The Britton Fund Annual Impact Report 2023

The Britton Fund has released its Annual Impact Report for 2023, highlighting a year of achievements and fundraising milestones benefiting the field of arboriculture in the West. In partnership with the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, The Britton Fund made remarkable strides in promoting tree health, supporting scientific research, and providing educational opportunities for tree-care professionals. The Annual Impact Report provides an overview of accomplishments and showcases the positive impact made possible through collective effort. Read the full report here.

“Our achievements in 2023 are a testament to the dedication and generosity of our community. We are immensely thankful for everyone who has contributed to our mission.”  Doug Anderson, Board Chair, The Britton Fund


Nevadan joins the Board of Directors

During its first meeting of the new year 2024, The Britton Fund’s Board of Directors welcomed John Crandell as its newest member.

Recognized throughout the Nevada tree-care industry, John Crandell worked 32 years for The City of Reno Parks and Urban Forestry Dept. He retired as the City of Reno Tree Inspector and now operates John Crandell Tree Care, where he still climbs, and does consulting.

An active member of the Western Chapter of the ISA, John also serves as a member of the WCISA Board of Directors with experience as a past member of the Certification, Marketing, and Annual Conference Committees. He was the first ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist® in Nevada, is an ISA Certified Arborist®, ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist™, and ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist®. He currently serves as President of The Nevada Shade Tree Council.

“Working outdoors has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of arboriculture, as well as meeting and working with so many great professionals in such a specialized field. WCISA was a defining factor in helping me become the professional that I am today, and I have benefited from the many resources made possible by The Britton Fund. I look forward to taking an active role in supporting the research and educational opportunities that made a difference in my career. ” John Crandell, Commercial Arborist, Owner of John Crandell Tree Care


The Tour des Trees returns to the West Coast

The Tour des Trees is an annual long-distance cycling adventure, which serves as the TREE Fund’s primary public outreach and community engagement event. This past fall, the Tour des Trees returned to Western Chapter territory with a five-day ride beginning in Reno, Nevada and crossing the finish line in Half Moon Bay, California.

Read about the celebration of shared goals to support our tree-care professionals and a memorial tree planting to remember two past riders and good friends in the article “WCISA and The Britton Fund Welcomes the Tour de Trees back to the West Coast”  published in the Western Arborist magazine, Winter 2023.

“The evening was filled with friendship and storytelling highlighting our collective accomplishments, with focus on the importance of funding research and recognition of the many benefits that trees provide in our daily lives.”  Western Arborist magazine, Winter 2023


A New Britton Fund Publication

Lead author, Jim Downer, brings together exceptional experts who discuss the science of trees important to landscape management in the West. Co-authors and distinguished research specialists include Matt Ritter, Ed Bobich, Bruce Hagen, Linda Chalker-Scott, Kevin T. Smith, and Igor Lacan.

Sponsored by The Britton Fund, Botany for Arborists is a compendium, a collection of articles regarding the taxonomy, anatomy, and physiology of trees in the landscape, and originally published as a highly regarded series in the Western Arborist, the educational magazine of the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.

Botany for Arborists is available for purchase through The Britton Fund’s Bookstore.

“Having a fundamental understanding of tree structure and function, as well as other aspects of botany is something arborists cannot afford to ignore. I’ve endeavored to present clear, concise, and detailed discussions on the most important subjects regarding the biology (botany) of trees. This information is relevant to the routine work that arborists do, and essential for them to offer sound advice and competent services.” Dr. James Downer, Horticulture and Plant Pathology Advisor, emeritus. University of California, Ventura County  


Deadline Extended!

Submission of pre-proposals has been extended to January 31, 2024.

Request for Research Proposals is Announced

The Britton Fund is proud to announce a request for proposals for its 2023-2024 Research Awards Program.

Dedicated to advancing the field of arboriculture by championing research and education initiatives tailored to the interests and needs of WCISA members, The Britton Fund’s research grants offer important financial support for qualified projects, extending up to an approximate limit of $30,000. Projects may continue for up to two calendar years, with the promise of subsequent publications enriching the body of knowledge in the field.

For those eager to participate, January 31, 2024, is the NEW submission deadline for pre-proposals. Detailed guidelines for developing comprehensive research proposals can be found on The Britton Fund’s research webpage, ensuring that submissions align seamlessly with its mission and goals.

The Britton Fund’s research grant program is made possible by the generosity of the WCISA community including WCISA members, corporate sponsors, foundations, industry partners, private and public donors, who share in the belief that education and research will advance the tree-care profession.


The Britton Fund Supports New Research.

The Britton Fund provided research funding to support Matt Ritter, Ph.D., Jenn Yost, Ph.D., and Cami Pawlak, MS (graduate student and Western Chapter Scholarship recipient) with their project, Trends in Native Tree Plantings in Urban California: Where are trees native in the urban environment?  This data will be used to assess what percentage of California’s Urban Forest is currently native in a select set of 80 species with high-quality urban tree inventory data.

Read the team’s recent article Native to Where? California’s Native Trees and Their Use in the Urban Environment” published in the Western Arborist magazine, Summer 2023.

“Species selected for California’s future urban forests should be able to withstand future climatic challenges. Our research shows that there are limited options for planting native trees in California’s urban forest. We hope that our work can help inform management goals and species selections for healthy urban forests for California’s future.” Western Arborist magazine, Summer 2023


Congratulations to Kevin Eckert as the incoming President for the Western Chapter of the ISA.

Residing in Kailua, Hawaii, Kevin is the Founder and President of Arbor Global and President of Smart Trees Pacific. He is a member of the Board of Directors for The Britton Fund and will begin his term as President of the WCISA in July 2023.

Kevin has been a member of the ISA and WCISA since 1989 and has served both organizations in many capacities. With over 20 years of program research, design, implementation, and management experience, Kevin has developed a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities with the diversity of issues and challenges encountered in tropical and temperate arboriculture and vegetation management. He is an ISA Certified Master Arborist®, ISA Certified Utility Specialist®, and ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualified® (TRAQ) instructor.

Kevin has served as a Britton Fund board member since 2017. Through his service on this board, Kevin has been instrumental in directing thousands of dollars to support important research, educational programs, and publications benefiting tree-care professionals in the west. He will maintain his position on The Britton Fund board during his term as WCISA President.

The Britton Fund Board of Directors look forward to working with Kevin in his new role and will support his success over the coming year.

“Factual, well-founded knowledge based on scientifically proven facts is power and provides our industry the ability to better meet our personal and professional missions for tree management.”  Kevin Eckert, WCISA President 2023-2024 and The Britton Fund Board Member


The Britton Fund Welcomes New Board Member.

Lisa Smith, CEO and Founder of The Tree Resource, has joined The Britton Fund’s Board of Directors.

We know Lisa well as a past board member (2010-2018) and president (2016-2017) of the Western Chapter of ISA where her leadership was recognized and appreciated. She brings extensive professional experience to The Britton Fund board and deeply believes in our mission. Lisa values the science-based research, publications, and the educational opportunities that improve the tree care profession and health of our neighborhood trees and urban forests.  Lisa is a creative and strategic thinker. We look forward to her involvement in our work.   

In addition to being an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® and ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist®, Lisa is also an ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualified® (TRAQ) instructor, an ASCA Tree and Plant Appraiser Qualified (TPAQ) instructor.  

“An arborist’s job is not only to evaluate the health and vigor of your trees but to analyze their safety, enhance their structure, apply scientific evaluation and proper treatments so that we may enjoy a tree’s lifetime of beauty and comfort.” Lisa Smith – CEO & Founder of The Tree Resource