The agenda for TSAA’s December 7. 2024, General Meeting and Class Graduation Party at the Park Fairfax Party Room in Alexandria was a full one. There was Board business to conduct, such as electing the 2025 slate of officers, as well as announcing the graduates of the Fall training class and recognizing those who had completed their internships. Graduates of the 2024 Training Class presented what they learned while doing their class projects, and those who completed their intern requirements were presented with hand pruners to use as they go forth as full TSAA members. All of the new graduates and new members were warmly welcomed and applauded.
Led by master of ceremonies and Board member, Lori Brent, we also saluted our out-going president, Nora Palmatier, but we did not let her get away, without some gifts and words of appreciation. Attendees wrote their farewell sentiments in a guest book for Nora to keep, and she was presented with gifts of a handmade wooden bowl and an all-leather tool belt that cured her case of “belt envy” that she had been suffering since seeing a TSAA volunteer with a similar one at a past work event.
Past President Kate Donohue spoke from experience when she stood up and told everyone how she admired Nora’s easy-going personality, sense of humor, and level-headed approach to solving problems over the years. Kate said Nora never got discouraged when looking for workable solutions to challenges and always thought through a situation calmly until she figured it out. Kate said how Nora’s example guided her during her own term as President and thanked Nora for her years of leadership.
Later, Arlington County’s Urban Forest Manager, Vincent Verweij, speaking on behalf of his staff and municipal partners, offered his appreciation for Nora’s role in volunteer projects and programs over the span of many years. Vincent applauded Nora’s inherent abilities to “Redirect energy from doom and gloom approaches (which are easy to adopt when facing climate change and development) to finding constructive ways to improve places we have control over, and educating people to do better. These are her superpowers.” Vincent added, “Nora improved our urban forest, through both direct action and soft power. This approach is invaluable when working in an urban forest. We would not be in the place we are today without Nora’s leadership and guidance, and I want to thank her for all the work she’s done for Arlington and our neighboring jurisdictions.” Vincent also gave his permission for TSAA to plant a tree in Lacey Woods Park, where Nora serves as Park Steward–a white oak whip has been acquired and is patiently waiting for a good planting day!
Nora was a graduate of the first TSAA training class in 2001. She did two (non-concurrent) stints as TSAA President, was chair of Arlington’s Urban Forestry Commission, on the Board of Trees Virginia, and has been involved with the Tree Canopy Fund and the Regional Forestry Roundtable. After serving as TSAA President for a second time, Nora declared that it was time to turn things over to new leadership. Before stepping down, Nora divided her duties among other members to carry out going forward, so TSAA will keep humming along. And of course Nora remains a TSAA member, so she will continue to volunteer alongside us (sporting her special tool belt) and share her interest in trees with her fellow members.
