ISA TRAQ FULL COURSE -

TREE RISK ASSESSMENT QUALIFICATION

April 12-14, 2023

Full agenda available here

Red Top Mountain State Park

50 Lodge Rd, SE
Acworth  GA  30102

Instructor: Jimmy Walters

14.5 CEUs Available

Registration Deadline:

Wednesday: March 15, 2023

(Slots fill up fast!  Register now!)

Registration Cost:

$625 - Georgia Arborist Association & ISA Member Rate

$665 - ISA Member Only Rate (not a member of the GAA)

$750 - Non-Member Rate (not a member of ISA or GAA)

If you are interested in becoming TRAQ qualified, please take some time to read the “ISA TRAQ Application Guide” available here - TRAQ-App-Guide.pdf . The guide will provide details about the application process and let you know what pre-requisites are required to apply for the credential.

The TRAQ course and credential provide an opportunity for professionals in the arboriculture industry to expand their knowledge through education and training in the fundamentals of tree risk assessment. This qualification promotes the safety of people and property by providing a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk. The results of a tree risk assessment can provide tree owners and risk managers with the information to make informed decisions to enhance tree benefits, health, and longevity.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Earning the qualification requires attendance at a 2-day educational course followed by a ½ day assessment that includes both a written and field exams. The first two days are typically 8am-5pm and the third day (exam day) is 8am-noon. It is required that you attend the entire course and successfully complete the assessment in order to receive this qualification. Coffee and a light breakfast are typically included each day along with lunch the first two days. If overnight travel is needed you will need to make hotel reservations on your own.

At the bottom of this email you will find recommended accommodations as well as more information about the location

The course includes Tree Biology and Mechanics, Tree Inspection and Assessment, Data Analysis and Risk Categorization, and Risk Reporting. The Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) Course prepares the participant to take the TRAQ assessment to become ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. Once registered, you will receive a course Manual and a Course Workbook that you can read and study to prepare for the course. It is strongly suggested that you read the materials prior to the course. Not all of the materials on the exams will be covered in detail in the classroom. The Manual and Workbook are essential parts of the learning process for this course.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Jimmy Walters: Certified Arborist since 1996. SC Registered Forester. 1971 graduate of Clemson University, BS Forestry. Retired with over 40 years’ service with SC Forestry Commission. Retired as Program Coordinator for Urban and Community Forestry in SC. Charter member of SC Urban and Community Forestry Council (now Trees SC).  Board of Directors, SC Vegetation Management Association, active in the SC Green Industry Association.   Past President, Southern Chapter ISA and member of Florida Chapter as well.  Now operating an arboricultural consulting firm, Urban Forest Advisors, LLC. Skilled teacher and public speaker. Many classes and lectures on Hazard Tree Management (old terminology) and Tree Risk Assessment prior to TRAQ.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
34.1475, -84.70722
34°8'51"N, 84°42'26"W

Take I-75 to exit #285 (Red Top Mountain Road). Go two miles east to Red Top Mountain State Park. After crossing the bridge, you will enter the park.

You can view a park map here marking the location of the class/exam

Parking:

A ParkPass is required for all vehicles. Price for ParkPasses are not included with the event registration. Overnight guests pay only one ParkPass fee for the duration of their stay. The daily ParkPass is valid at all state parks visited the same day and is not valid at state historic sites.

ParkPass fees are as follow:
1-12 passenger vehicles $5 per day or $50 annual ParkPass;
13-30 passenger vehicles $30 per day or $75 annual ParkPass;
31 or more passenger vehicles $70 per day or $250 annual ParkPass;
Georgia active duty military/veterans $3.75 per day or $37.50 annual ParkPass.

Places to stay:

Red Top Mountain State Park is a beautiful park on over 1700 acres located on beautiful Lake Allatoona!  The park has many great places to stay for this event - 20 Cottages, 6 Yurts, and 93 Tent, Trailer & RV Campsites! The link to make reservations at the park is here. Make a weekend of it and enjoy the park. Learn more about the park and activities (fishing, boating, hiking, biking, etc.)  here.  

HOTEL BLOCK INFORMATION:

BOTH HOTELS ARE WITHIN 15 MINUTES FROM THE PARK

Hampton Inn Acworth (10 Rooms Reserved) - Discounted Rooms ($159/night) are reserved until 3/21/2023 - after that date the rooms will be released to the general public so please book ASAP.  Please call the number below to book and request the group rate for Georgia Arborist Association. You can also book using this custom link.

1320 GA-92 Acworth, GA

678-505-4870 

Holiday Inn & Suites Kennesaw - (10 Rooms Reserved) - Discounted Rooms ($159/night are reserved until 3/12/2023 - after that date the rooms will be released to the general public so please book ASAP.  Please call the number below to book and request the group rate for Georgia Arborist Association.  You can also book using this custom link.

2485 George Busbee Pkwy NW Kennesaw, GA

770-427-5210

Disclaimers, Important Information, & Refund Policy:

• Applicants for TRAQ courses must register 30 days prior to the session they plan to attend.   These classes often fill up quickly since class size is limited. Register as early as possible to avoid missing the location you want!

• The FULL course is required for those qualified applicants that wish to earn the TRAQ credential.

• This class provides the needed exams that must be passed to earn the TRAQ credential.

• Please bring your own hard hat and vest to the event

• Please bring your government ID 

• Be sure to bring your course materials (this will be mailed to you by the ISA in advance)