The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Penn-Del Chapter will hold its Western Tree Climbing Championships (WTCC) this Saturday, May 31, 2003 in Pittsburgh's Highland Park. Due to the weather of 2002, the event was cancelled for the most part, though several competitors did compete in a climb-off. This year's event will begin at 8:30am and will last throughout the day, with plenty of good food, good weather and sunshine! Up to 25 professional arborists are expected to participate in the championship. Among the six events they will compete in are the work climb, designed to judge the contestant's ability to safely advance through various workstations in the tree while using a rope and saddle, and the belayed speed climb, in which competitors climb a predetermined route from the ground to a height of approximately 60 feet, where they must ring a bell. The primary purpose of this annual championship and field day is education. The climbing championship brings together the area's most experienced climbers for the benefit of friendly competition and the exchange of ideas and techniques. The ISA and the Penn-Del Chapter have selected the City of Pittsburgh as the host site for the ISA Annual Conference in 2004. We are extremely enthused to have the opportunity to showcase Pittsburgh in preparation for the 2004 ISA Conference. This competition will help to grow tree awareness and the value that trees add to our daily lives and neighborhoods. In conjunction with Saturday's climbing competition, Highland Park will host a variety of related activities, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Arboricultural vendors will be on hand, along with informational booths for the ISA and the Utility Arborist Association (UAA), and the Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission. There will be food and refreshment concessions and a Kid's Climb for youngsters. The Tree Climbing Competition will be held just inside the North Highland Avenue entrance of Highland Park. Go through the two large pillars at the entrance and turn RIGHT onto Reservoir Drive. The WTCC site is on both sides of Reservoir Drive. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 8:30am Tree Climbing Championship - All Competitors Round 1:30 - 2pm Lunch Break for Judges and Officials 2pm - 4pm Tree Climbing Championship - Master's Challenge Round 4pm - 5pm Awards Ceremony Hope to see you there! Regards...Jenny Arkett Duquesne Light Company Vegetation Management Department (PA-VM) 412-393-8576 International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Penn-Del Chapter: <http://www.penndelisa.org/>