Giving Back

Written by: Manager of HR & Administration, Joanne Edmundson

Posted: 2021 | Wachtel News | Winter

The Wachtel Tree Science volunteer group for the 2019 Saluting Branches Day of Service

As we go through life, we hone our skills and expertise based on the time we spend on our hobbies, passions, jobs, or education.  At some point, we start to think about how we can use this set of skills to give back to those around us.  One of the long-standing traditions at Wachtel Tree Science is to use our abilities and talents to give back to the industry or local groups.

Each year, a group of volunteers from Wachtel Tree Science chip in to perform some much-needed tree and shrub care at the Ronald McDonald house in Wauwatosa.  The pride in knowing that a family’s time there can be improved from the focus and attention on the grounds is special.

We have also proudly taken part in a National Day of Service called Saluting Branches.  This program enlists arborists (and even willing office staff!) to take part in maintaining the beauty of the final resting place of the brave men and women who served our country.  It is truly a special opportunity to honor and recognize our military heroes and their families.

Besides projects like these mentioned here, our employees have taken the opportunity to give back to industry organizations.  We have had team members on the Board of Directors on both national organizations like the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) as well as the more local Wisconsin Arborists Association (WAA).  We currently have four Past Presidents of the WAA on staff.  Plus, our own Nathan Schuettpelz is the current WAA President maintaining the organization’s goal of increasing the appreciation of trees in the state of Wisconsin.

Projects like these give us a sense of pride knowing that the efforts put forward can be appreciated by many others.  New connections both inside and outside the tree care industry are special and can last long after the work has been completed!