FNGLA Certified Professional Elected ISA COR Chair
November 10, 2020
Kimberly Pearson, FCHP & FWS, has been elected Chair of the International Society of Arboriculture’s International Council of Representatives Executive Committee.
“It wasn’t until after the election I was recognized as being the first female CoR EC Chair in its history!” explained Pearson. Prior to this election, she served as the liaison between the Florida Chapter and ISA. “I’m excited for the opportunity to represent the state of Florida on a global platform, facilitating diverse communication among worldwide CoR members,” she says.
Pearson is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Ft. Lauderdale, and a long-time FNGLA friend as a certified professional, past president of the Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida and current Vice President of the Florida Chapter of ISA.
The purpose of the CoR is to provide a forum for collaboration and cooperation and foster the free exchange of ideas and information among the organizations and their membership.
“I am particularly interested in serving on CoR because it brings together tree climbers, consultants, researchers, managers, scientists, doctors, students, administrators, growers, and contractors from both private and public sectors from around the world,” says Pearson. “I welcome the opportunity to celebrate the tremendous contributions in research, teaching and practice from people from all over the world which have resulted in fostering a greater worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees.”
Pearson is an ISA Certified Arborist with over 30 years of experience, being one of the first female certified arborists in Florida. She is also a Certified Landscape Inspector through the Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida, a Certified Horticulture Professional through FNGLA, a Florida Water Star Accredited Landscape Professional, and is designated as a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner awarded by the Florida Attorney General's Office.
As Fort Lauderdale's Sustainability Coordinator, Pearson provides leadership and management of citywide sustainability programs and initiatives to the community by managing, coordinating, facilitating, and advising in the development, implementation, monitoring, and improvement of local government policies, programs, and initiatives that promote sustainability and resilience.
She recently earned her master’s degree from the University of Florida in Forest Resources and Conservation with a focus on Natural Resource Policy and Administration. In addition to serving as VP, Pearson is Chair of the Florida Chapter ISA Women in Arboriculture Working Group. She was the recipient of the Florida Chapter ISA President’s Award of Merit in 2016 and the Florida Urban Forest Council’s Friends of the Urban Forest Outstanding Professional Award in 2011.
