Urban Forests Innovations Inc. (UFI) was founded in 1994 by ISA certified consulting arborist Philip van Wassenaer, B.Sc., MFC.
UFI specializes in the preservation, enhancement and management of all aspects of the urban forest, using a research and science-based approach. Our consultants regularly collaborate with professional associates and researchers in ecology, soil science, hydrology, engineering, planning, landscape architecture, legal, real estate and other disciplines to provide accurate and comprehensive reports, planning documents and management recommendations.
UFI’s strong track record in providing successful management solutions results from the wide range of expertise and experience of its consulting team. Our unique approach to arboricultural and urban forestry consulting encompasses a diverse set of activities, including tree climbing, advanced risk assessment, ravine stewardship planning, appraisal and valuation, tree preservation planning, woodlot management, urban forest inventory and strategic management planning, by-law and regulation development, expert witness testimony, heritage tree conservation, education through lectures and seminars, diagnosis and treatment of pests and diseases, leading arboricultural and urban forestry research, and more.
Urban Forest Innovations (UFI) is always looking to meet dynamic and motivated individuals who are seeking opportunities in the world of consulting arboriculture and urban forestry. Do you:
- Have ISA Certification?
- Have Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)?
- Have experience with tree inventory data collection?
- Have experience with writing arborist reports or with urban forest management?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, we want to hear from you!
Click this link to introduce yourself and send us your resume. If we see a good fit, we’ll get in touch to explore opportunities with our team of consulting arborists and urban foresters.
All applicants for employment are considered on an equal basis and UFI does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, marital status, or any other basis when assessing applicant suitability for employment.
Meet the Team
Philip van Wassenaer, B.Sc., MFC
Philip van Wassenaer is the principal consulting arborist and founder of UFI. With over 20 years experience as a practicing arborist, Philip has been an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist since 1996 and a member of the prestigious American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) since 1999. In 2005, Philip became a member of the SAG Baumstatik, an organization of Risk Assessment specialists based in Stuttgart, Germany. Philip also served as both President and Director of the Ontario Urban Forest Council (OUFC) between 1997 and 2008. Philip has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences and a Master of Forest Conservation degree with a specialization in Urban Forest Management, from the University of Toronto.Philip’s strong combination of education and experience allow him to bring a unique and successful approach to arboriculture and urban forestry. In 2009 the ISA honoured Philip with the “True Professional of Arboriculture” award in recognition of his achievements towards advancing the practice of arboriculture and his commitment to public education and promotion of the latest developments in arboricultural science.
Alex Satel, B.A., MFC
Alex is an ISA-certified arborist with a Master of Forest Conservation degree from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto. He has prior experience with tree establishment, maintenance, inventories, and silviculture surveying. Alex also has experience in strategic urban forest management planning, having been involved in the development of plans for communities including Ajax, Burlington, Guelph and Medicine Hat. He joined UFI in 2009 as a junior member of the consulting team and is directly involved in tree preservation, tree establishment planning, and the preparation of reports and strategic planning documents.
Shane Jobber, B.A., B.Sc.F.
Shane is an ISA-certified arborist, municipal specialist (ON-1746AM) and TRAQ-qualified with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. Since joining UFI in 2013, he has been active a wide range of consulting roles including the oversight and collection of large scale municipal tree inventories, the analysis and management of complex GIS and CAD datasets, and the preparation, review and editing of reports and strategic forest management planning documents for municipalities and private clients. Shane also supports the undertaking of tree health and advanced tree risk assessments.
Rob Skeoch
Rob Skeoch has been a member of UFI since 1999. He is highly experienced in tree inventories, tree identification, risk assessment and tree maintenance, and is involved in the preparation of reports and strategic planning documents. His arboricultural credentials include ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and a diploma from the Arboriculture Apprenticeship Program from Humber College in 2005. Rob also provides complete technical support for UFI. His certificates include; TriOS Collage Network Specialist, CompTIA A+ Specialist, and he is a Microsoft XP Certified Professional.
Mike Thibeault
Mike Thibeault is the General Manager at UFI. With his extensive experience in account management and capacity building, Mike’s responsibilities include contract development and administration, client liaison, information support, report editing and graphic design. Mike’s interpersonal, technical and organization skills ensure that UFI maintains its focus on providing our clients with the highest quality arboricultural consulting services and products.