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2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Thursday January 30th & Friday January 31st

MSU Riley Center, Meridian, MS

 

"Rooted in Excellence: Advancing Arboriculture Practices"

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Professional Arborist Association of Mississippi 2025 Annual Conference offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your knowledge and networking opportunities within the field.  Conference participants gain access to the latest research, techniques, and technologies in arboriculture, which can improve their practices and promote sustainable tree care.  The conference also provides a unique platform for professionals to connect with industry experts, share insights, and collaborate on challenges facing urban forestry.  Overall, participation in the annual conference leads to professional growth, enhanced credibility, and a deeper commitment to tree stewardship.

ISA CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEU) and SAF CONTINUING FORESTRY EDUCATION (CFE) credits are available for the conference.

MSU RILEY CENTER

SIGN UP EARLY!

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED!

DATE:  Thursday, 01/30/2025 & Friday, 01/31/2025

LOCATION:  MSU Riley Center 2200 5th Street, Meridian, MS 39301 (601) 696-2200

Free parking at Arts District Parking Garage

REGISTRATION:  $200.00 - Includes $25.00 PAAM Membership and complimentary workshops (after 01/17, +$50.00)

Registration includes breakfast and lunch on Thursday, and breakfast on Friday

EXHIBITOR:  $450.00 - Includes two associates and tabletop exhibit space (after 01/17, +$50.00)

Each additional associate is $200.00 (after 01/17, +$50.00)

CONTACT:  Email Kathy Coker at [email protected]


 Visit Meridian has a map of downtown Meridian, and a list of downtown places of interest, restaurants, and shops.

THE THREEFOOT HOTEL, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

LOCATION:  The Threefoot Hotel 601 22nd Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301 (601) 207-8700

GROUP RATE:  $134.00 USD per night for Single King or Double Queen room; Group rate available January 29th - January 31st

RESERVE SOON!  Limited number of rooms at this price

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR GROUP RATE FOR PAAM

SPONSORS

MS FORESTRY COMMISSION

FULGHAM'S INC

Envu | Innovative Environmental Solutions

Loftus Tree Care

AGENDA


THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2025

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Check-In (Grand Lobby) & Breakfast (Exhibit Hall)


GENERAL SESSION

8:30 am - 8:40 am

Welcome – David Fulgham, PAAM President

8:40 am - 8:50 am 

MSU Urban Forestry Scholarship – Joshua Granger, PAAM Treasurer

8:50 am - 9:30 am

MFC Programs/Projects – Alex Ballard, Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator, MFC

9:30 am - 10:00 am

OSHA Regulation and Updates – Christian Arroyo-Torres, Compliance Assistance Specialist, U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA

10:00 am - 10:30 am

Coffee Break (Grand Lobby)

10:30 am - 11:30 am

Louisiana Arborist Certification Program – Hallie Dozier, Ph.D., Associate Professor, LSU Extension - School of Renewable Natural Resources

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

AUFA Mission and Vision for Supporting Urban Forestry in Alabama – Fred Kapp, Executive Director, AUFA

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Lunch (Exhibit Hall) & PAAM Business Meeting (David Fulgham)


MUNICIPAL TRACK

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Plant Diagnostic Update for Mississippi – Clarissa J. Balbalian, Director & Diagnostician, MSU Extension - Plant Diagnostic Laboratory

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Impacts of Insects on Trees in Mississippi – John J. Riggins, Ph.D., Professor of Forest Entomology, MSU - Forest Health Research Lab

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

The Use of Trees in the Urban Landscape Design Process – Casey Johnson, Instructor, MSU - Dept. of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Design


UTILITY TRACK

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Managing Invasive Vegetation – Fred Kapp, Executive Director, AUFA

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Disaster Preparedness, and Post-Disturbance Monitoring and Assessment – Clayton C. French, Jr., Deputy Director, MEMA

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Applying Technology to Manage Trees in Utility Zones – Johnny Thompson, President, LandMark Spatial Solutions, LLC


FRIDAY JANUARY 31, 2025

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Check-In (Grand Lobby) & Breakfast (Exhibit Hall)


GENERAL SESSION

8:30 am - 9:30 am

Florida Nursery Standards Used to Grade Trees and Shrubs – Paul Meehan, Owner, Natchez Tree Company

9:30 am - 10:00 am

Coffee Break (Grand Lobby)

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Future Development of Urban Forestry and Arboriculture Within the 4H Club Program  – James Shannon, Forestry Specialist, MSU Extension - Northeast MS Branch Experiment Station

11:00 am - 12:00 pm


Moving Forward with PAAM's Strategic Plan Through Workshop Development and Strong Partnerships – David Fulgham, PAAM President

12:00 pm - 12:10 pm


Closing Remarks  – David Fulgham, PAAM President

Break from 12:10 pm - 1:30 pm for those attending the Bonita Lakes Watershed Arboretum Tour

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm


Bonita Lakes Watershed Arboretum Tour – Josh Granger, PAAM Treasurer

REGISTRATION

($200.00/ea.)

The arboretum is a project of the Meridian Tree Commission and identifies 85 species of trees and woody plants located along a scenic hiking trail of one of the watershed's upper lakes. The tour is Friday, January 30th, from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm.

Please select below if you would like to be a sponsor or make a donation and PAAM will email you.

Enter your sponsorship amount below. To avoid any processing fees, do not enter the amount. Instead, mail a check, made out to "PAAM", to PAAM, P.O. Box 481, Meridian MS 39302

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