Within the first week, I had the opportunity, thanks to my host Mr. David Bloniarz, to join The Nature of Cities Festival; a week-long conference that has over 300 speakers. This experience pushes boundaries to radically imagine our cities for the future. TNOC Festival offered me the ability to participate in many interesting sessions on a global scale to discuss what information citizens need to realize the importance of urban greening. why trees are often removed from cities and town, and how to estimate ecosystem services provided by urban trees using i-Tree application?
This application has many Tools (i-Tree Landscape, i-Tree Canopy, i-Tree Design, i-Tree Eco…).within the Festival I have experienced i-Tree Canopy and i-Tree Design. Moreover, I was happy to be part of discussions, and experience exchange among practical users of i-Tree inventory tools, effective engagement methods that communicate the benefits of trees to grow the global forest.
In another session, led by my host Mr. David, I explored America’s first planned neighborhood of Springfield, MA through a walking tour, examining its historic landscape and architectural features.
I also had the pleasure of interacting with wonderful people and strong community (US Forest Services, non-profit organizations, consultants, volunteers and students around the world) who deeply care about the future of our planet.
Within the second week, I started a project using i-Tree Canopy application choosing the three areas of Morocco to compare between them. To maximize the precision of the result, we choose to work with 500 points in each area. I was lucky to discover this application because it has a lot in common with my work since it is based on GIS (Geographic information system), and at the same time it provides data that I can use to demonstrate value and set priorities for more effective decision-making. In other virtual meetings, I had the opportunity to discus with my host so many effective methodologies like STEW-MAP (The Stewardship Mapping and Assessment project), and to attend session 1 of i-Tree Academy 2021 learning journey with US Forest Service with people from all over United States.
Special thanks to MR. David Bloniarz, for allowing me to meet and discuss with all the people, students and organizations involved in trees and forest.
SAFI
CASABLANCA
TANGIER
All opinions expressed by the program participants are their own and do not represent nor reflect official views from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, or of the Institute for Training and Development, Inc.
