The Bob Skiera Memorial Fund was established by TREE Fund, the Skiera Family, Wisconsin Arborist Association, and the International Society of Arboriculture. It supports efforts that encourage the communication of the value of trees and urban forests, aligning with Bob Skiera's legacy as an urban forestry pioneer who promoted collaboration among urban forestry and planning professionals.
The Safe Arborist Techniques Fund (SATF) grant program is designed to advance the safety and effectiveness of arborists by funding research and development projects related to climbing, rigging, and working on trees, alongside the identification and mitigation of potential hazards. Specifically, the grant supports investigations into worker safety, biomechanics, tree failure mechanisms, and the development of practices and technologies to protect workers, residents, and properties. The program encourages a wide range of research topics, including but not limited to decay assessment, inoculation strategies for trees with root decay, response growth to tree injuries, mechanical pruning techniques, lightning protection, support systems such as cabling, machine-aided climbing, and the study of tree biomechanics. Projects funded under this grant are expected to be completed within two years from the initial disbursement of funds.
Restrictions on Funding: The TREE Fund specifies certain projects for which it will not provide funding and will not consider applications. These include:
Additionally, current trustees of the TREE Fund or their immediate family members are not eligible to apply for or receive funding from the TREE Fund.