top of page
_Placeholder.png
Ali Jasper

Lead Consulting Arborist | Active Tree Services

Monday | 11:30am

TALK TITLE

Diversity as a resourcing solution – A lived perspective

BIO

Ali has been in our industry for nearly 25 years having gained extensive experience in all areas of arboriculture. She originally qualified in horticulture and later arboriculture, working her way from a groundie to a climber, and then to a consulting arborist.  Ali joined Active in January 2018 and is the Lead Consulting for Active Green Services. She spends a large part of each working week managing trees as part of major civil infrastructure projects. Over the last 5 years this has included practically every major infrastructure program in Victoria, from the Westgate tunnel to North East Link, from Railway crossing removal projects to the Arts precinct project. She has worked tirelessly and successfully to preserve significant trees that might otherwise have been lost.


Ali is an advocate for diversity in the arboricultural industry and believes that it is a field open to anyone with genuine interest and passion for trees and the environment.  She previously chaired the committee for “Woman in Arboriculture” for Arboriculture Australia.

ABSTRACT

Learning objectives


Adjusting our thinking and providing the right tools, training and support for a broader cohort of society can greatly improve the industry’s ability to solve the “resource crisis”, lift our professionalism, and improve the way our industry contributes to society.


Abstract


This paper discusses where the arboricultural industry is, and can be, in relation to having a more diverse workforce. Using the lived experience of an award winning, 25-year veteran of our industry, a female arborist who also lives with a disability, the various challenges, issues and solutions of the journey are discussed.


“Arborists don’t grow on trees”. There is a shortage of arborists in our industry. ‘Arborist’ is on the skills shortage list both in Australia and New Zealand and there are shortages of skilled arborists worldwide. One key factor is a resource pool limited by awareness and the “marketing” of our roles. The societies that we live in are broad and diverse covering genders, cultures and interests. Our workforce does not reflect our society.


Ali’s story began at high school when she developed a shake in her hands that turned into a tremor, which one morning simply didn’t go away. It made writing near impossible and keeping up with school became increasingly difficult. This was later diagnosed as myclonus dystonia, a condition of the nervous system where communication between the brain and the muscles gets distorted and disrupted.


When she left high school, she was in search of a career without limitation or discrimination. Arboriculture seemed the natural fit, she could “survive” in the industry without having to put pen to paper and hopefully, without people assuming “you can’t do that”. Thankfully, her application to the Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture was accepted, despite it being known that extra support would be required.

The dystonia creates challenges that has required the use of technology and innovation. Only 10 years ago, the implant of a stimulator to help control the tremor made it possible to write or type again, albeit still limited. Technology continues to be key in workplace practices. Computer enabled voice control, both in the office and the field, were a game changer. In field apps, multiple computer screens and an adaptive

trackball (mouse) have enabled Ali to achieve productivity at or greater than the level of any arborist.


Workplace readiness for gender and disability acceptance has evolved positively over the 25 years Ali has observed the industry. However, achieving broader diversity, equity and equality in our industry requires business to take conscious and focused action in its readiness for a future that will benefit from increased diversity and the contribution it brings.

CONFERENCE SPONSORS

DIAMOND SPONSORS

Active Tree Services.jpeg
aerial access.jpeg

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Stihl.jpg

GOLD SPONSORS

Vermeer_Australia_horizontal_lockup_2clr-01.jpg
asplundh logo orange.png
arb_logo.png
Husqvarna-Logo-Stacked-Square.png
Arbtrack-logo-Trans-black.png

SILVER SPONSORS

Tree Care Machinery_Master Identity.jpg
Treescape Logo Dark.png
TreeServe.png
TTC Logo Larger_2021.jpg
Citywide.png
ETS.jpeg
logo_pmh.webp
tudorinsurance.png

BRONZE SPONSORS

Arb Australia 2025 Conference
RedbackTreeServices_Logo_ForWhitebackground (1).jpg
forestree_logo.png
ThoughtPlanters.png
CONFERENCE MANAGER

Shelley Haring

OnCue Conferences

Email: conference@trees.org.au 

Phone: 380 808 087

KEY DATES

Registrations open: 5 December 2024

Early bird deadline: 14 February 2025

Conference: 16-18 March 2025

Arb Australia Conference 2025
bottom of page