An article about SUNY-ESF alum and Council Past President David Moore appeared in the Winter 2020 edition of ESF Magazine, a publication for alumni and friends of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Called “Alumnus Honored as ‘Trailblazer’ Promotes Benefits of Urban Forestry,” the interview conducted by Judy Gelman Myers starts with David’s educational background in forestry and public policy, presents basic concepts of urban forestry, and ends with David urging people to see working in government as an opportunity and an honor.

“I think bureaucracy gets a bad rap in general. It’s easy to say our government doesn’t know what it’s doing, but there’s more to it than that. That’s the very reason I wanted to work for local government. I wanted to step up to the plate and be the change I wanted to see rather than just complaining about how other people ought to do a better job. I have a huge appreciation for anything actually accomplished in society, the consensus that needs to be made, the high roads that need to be taken in the face of certain people never being happy or satisfied.

For anyone out there who’s considering a life of government work, we need you! We live in a world where people think that sounding off on social media is the answer to the world’s problems. It’s not. We need more people to start a career in government, where they’re in the driver’s seat and can facilitate a world in a way they’re skilled and passionate about. Even the most challenging days working for a good cause are rewarding, and seeing the tangible impacts of your hard work is a reward in and of itself.”

David was the 2019 Arbor Day Foundation Trailblazer, a national recognition of an urban forestry or arboriculture professional under 35 making exceptional contributions to their field. You can see a video about his outstanding work here.

NYSDEC Urban and Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator Christina McLaughlin wrote an article in the February 2020 edition of DEC’s New York State Conservationist called “The Forests Where We Work, Live, and Play.” This is a terrific introduction to urban and community forestry and includes an excellent sidebar of specific ways folks can get involved (see below). It’s so important to communicate to the public (including lawmakers) what urban and community forestry is and its vital importance. Nice job, Christina!