The project recognizes that existing and continually emerging invasive tree-pests sometimes impact the quality of urban forests and ultimately, the welfare of wildlife. Evaluation and management of such pests is considered standard practice in arboriculture. It is does not fall within the scope of this project. To learn more about what urban forest managers are doing to reduce the impacts of pests and disease visit the Agriculture and Natural Resources page on the University of California website.

No. These are recommended practices that are designed to help keep arborists from breaking the law. While we think that they are a good way to avoid nesting wildlife, other methods for minimizing impacts to wildlife may be just as good.

Please explore the list of biologists on our website. In the black menu bar at the top of every page is an item titled, ‘Resources.’ If you open it a dropdown menu will appear. Click on, ‘Find a wildlife biologist.’

Another way to find one in your area is with a web search for ‘consulting ecologist,’ while including your city name.

No. The Best Management Practices were developed by a group of arborists, wildlife biologists, and wildlife advocates that formed the grassroots organization Tree Care for Birds. Many ISA certified arborists were involved in its development, but it is not an official ISA document.

Wildlife Biologists can be expensive, but they probably won’t be needed very often. Mistakes with wildlife can be costly and it may be less expensive to pay a Wildlife Biologist than to pay fines and have negative public relations from a wildlife incident. In most cases, the cost of the wildlife biologist can be passed on to the property owner and shouldn’t be paid by the arborist

Be aware and observe wildlife whenever you have the opportunity, even in urban areas.

Local Audubon chapters offer many free walks and programs as well as for-fee classes to learn and appreciate birds and wildlife. You can use this link to find the Audubon Chapter nearest you.

Many people learn birds with a good bird identification book and a pair of binoculars.  Wildlife photography is another good way.  Images can reveal species’ behaviors as well as their identifying field marks that we might otherwise not be able to see or observe from a distance.

Other excellent resources include the websites listed below.  In some cases, you will have to create an account; but this is worthwhile because these sites provide access to photos, descriptions, vocalizations and range maps of all native north American bird species.  Among the data that E.bird provides is the most up to date locations where birds have been seen, not only in north America but worldwide.  This is particularly helpful because a search on E.bird provides specific locations and dates.

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Free)
• National Audubon Society (Free)
• E-Bird (Free)
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Membership required)
• The Wildlife Federation

A search for ‘wildlife organizations’ will bring up many more resources.

No. We expect that only a few jobs would fall into the Category 3 where a Wildlife Biologist is recommended and that most of those jobs could be delayed to fall outside of breeding season. For Category 3 jobs, we recommend a wildlife biologist but each arborist must decide whether or not to work with a wildlife biologist.

No, these Best Management Practices are adding no regulations to the industry. The laws and regulations listed in Appendix III have been present in California for many years (nearly 100 years in the case of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act). The Best Management Practices help clarify the existing laws and regulations and provide guidance for how to work legally within these laws.

One of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of invasive tree pests is not to transport fire wood (buy it in the location where you intend to burn it). If a infected tree must be removed, consult a certified arborist to learn the safest way to handle the removed wood. To find an arborist in your region go to:

Arborist Search

Polyphagous Shot-hole Borer
Invasive Shot Hole Borers

South American Palm Weevil
Has the South American Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum, Established in Southern California?

Ficus Leaf Roller
The Ficus Leaf-Rolling Psyllid

Erythrina Stem Borer in Coral trees
Erythrina stem or twig borer: a new and potentially devastating pest of coral trees in California

Bronze Bug in Eucalyptus
The Bronze Bug, Another New Threat to Eucalypts in California

Sudden oak death
Learn more…

Gold-spotted Oak Borer
What is the Goldspotted Oak Borer?