Event

Trees, Cities and the Law

Urban & Community forests create wonderful places to live, work and play. Their value to a region can be measured in the billions. These benefits do not come without risk. Trees occasionally cause damage to people and property. Like any city infrastructure, they require attention and management to mitigate this risk. This all-day workshop will explore the legal issues around community forest management in Missouri, including the imminent risks associated with emerald ash borer. Municipal officials, forest managers, and arborists will learn about their legal rights and responsibilities as it pertains to tree care in the community.

Attorney Victor D. Merullo has spent his career specializing in arboriculture and neighbor law. As the primary speaker for this event, Mr. Merullo will present relevant case studies and empower participants with the knowledge and tools to confidently take action. Local presenters will also share legal success stories and struggles. Workshop direction will be determined by issues presented by the participants. Bring your questions and challenges to get support and resources.

Schedule:

8:00am - Check in
8:30am - Overview: Importance of Trees and Key Legal Concepts (Victor Merullo, trial attorney, national presenter, author, and founder of www.treeandneighborlaw.com)
10:00am - Break
10:15am - Handling Claims from a Municipal Perspective (St. Louis City case study - Skip Kincaid, Forestry Commissoner, and Patrick Sullivan, Legal Investigator)
10:45am - Demystifying Tree Law (V. Merullo)
12:00pm - Lunch (box lunch provided)
1:00pm - Trees: Assets or Liabilities? (RJ Lavern, Davey Institute)
1:45pm - Case Law and Regional Connections (V. Merullo)
2:30pm - Break
2:45pm - How to protect your city/program from risk (V. Merullo)
4:00pm - Seminar Concludes

Workshop sponsored by:
Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Community Forest Council
Urban Forestry Consortium