Women in Arboriculture Networking Day Booking Open

Human beings relationship to nature has changed in the short turn of a few thousand years. In the past, direct dependence on the environment, whether more or less "wild" (hunting/harvesting) or "domesticated" (breeding/agriculture), required knowledge based on the understanding of rules and needs which, even if modified, govern the life of both plants and animals. Of this today very little remains; deprived of daily relevance, such knowledge and skills are now lost or in fact relegated to a residual folkloric marginality. From a cultural point of view, however, it is a process dominated by anthropocentrism. For centuries man has placed himself at the centre of creation; the animal and plant worlds, considered intrinsically "inferior" were therefore subservient to the well-being of humanity.

More recently, tree conservation is justified through ecosystem services. These services, however, are translated into a universal language through their monetisation; the maintenance and protection of the tree are justified only to the extent that they allow a direct or indirect "gain" for the human community. In an industry in which the technical knowledge necessary for the good management of trees is now available, it is now necessary to take an ethical step: to give dignity to the trees and to ensure compliance with and respect for them, regardless of their relationship with humans.

In recent years, in Italy, attempts have been made to restore an equal relationship between trees and humans in anthropic contexts, based on the adoption of decalogues for the protection of trees inspired by the principle of contracting: tree specimens are welcomed in cities because of the ecological, environmental, aesthetic and cultural benefits that they ensure. In return, they are guaranteed inalienable rights. One of the most effective applications of this approach allows limits, opportunities and exceptions to be established during tree stability assessment campaigns by educating citizens to live together with what we call "acceptable minimum risk." The authors will present experiences that affirm the development of decalogues created in Italy.

Speaker Biography

Stefania Gasperini,
Agronomist, Arborist and owner of AR.ES (Italy)

Stefania Gasperini, agronomist and arborist, owner of AR.ES., an Italian company qualified in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry. Specialized in tree risk, stability assessment and management of veteran trees. Speaker at many conferences and workshops, President of EAC - European Arboriculture Council, board member of SAG Baumstatik e.V., member of SIA (Società Italiana di Arboricoltura) and of ISA – International Society of Arboriculture. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and TRAQ Qualified (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification). With Giovanni Morelli, Stefania worked for many years with Pierre Raimbault and both apply a morphophysiological approach to trees in their daily work.