Abbott Botanical Assessments, LLC

Tag: biodiversity

  • Free ISA CEUs: Week of April 27, 2026

    Free ISA CEUs: Week of April 27, 2026

    Last week’s presentation in Taos was a resounding success! We’re so honored that UNM Taos HIVE hosted our presentation and it sounds like we may have another community event in the works later this year.

    Here’s the link to the presentation and some helpful resources if you’re looking to DIY.

    In other news, we’ll be out of the office for the next 10-14 days or so. We’ll be reviewing emails as they were received and getting back to y’all ASAP.

    Are you interested in skill development as an ecosystem manager, but aren’t able to attend the in-person event?

    We offer consultations with sliding scale or alternative pricing structures for individuals and organizations.

    Contact Us

    There are four live webinars for free ISA CEUs available this week.

    Tuesday, April 28

    Colorado Intermountain Urban Forestry Council Meeting @ 9:00am-11:00am Mountain

    2 CEUs will be available to Certified Arborists who attend the (entire) live meeting.

    Presentation by Dr. Emily Luna, Head of the CSU Spur Plant Diagnostic Lab
    She will present on the services offered at the Plant Diagnostic Lab and highlight tree diseases they have been seeing in the clinic over the past season. Her research is also on 1000 canker disease, so she will also discuss that as a potential re-emerging disease.

    Presentation by Susan Carter from the City of Grand Junction
    Water Conservation While Conserving Trees
    The City of Grand Junction realized that rocking of tree lawns was killing trees, by the hundreds. When developing the Turf Conversion Program, considering and saving the trees was considered. Other rebates were developed to assist in the watering of trees when lawns were removed. The city also does water budgets and irrigation assessments to assist with watering trees. The forestry department and the utility department along with others have worked together to ensure the tree canopy is protected.

    Learn the methods of protecting trees, which trees don’t do well with turf removal, the simple calculation for a water budget and more. Susan heads these water conservation programs and is herself a longtime horticulturist, QWEL certified and certified arborist. Susan is a CSU Extension Emeritus Professor and has worked with plants for many years. Waterwise landscapes can be beautiful and have trees!

    Register Here

    EAB University: Spotted Lanternfly @ 9:00am Mountain

    Register Here

    Wednesday, April 29

    Reading the Leaves: Common Hardwood Tree Diseases with Foliar Symptoms @11:30am -12:00pm Mountain

    Dr. Ellen Crocker (Associate Professor – University of Kentucky) will cover the biology and management of some hardwood tree diseases with foliar symptoms.

    Hardwood tree species are widely distributed across the southeastern United States and provide significant economic and ecological benefits. Hardwood forests support wildlife habitat, contribute to food resources, nutrient cycling, offer recreational opportunities, and supply valuable timber. However, many hardwood species are susceptible to diseases that produce symptomatic leaves such as bacterial leaf scorch, anthracnose, and others that can reduce aesthetic value and overall tree health. Accurate identification of these diseases is essential for effective management. In this webinar, Dr. Ellen Crocker will discuss the biology, symptoms, impacts, and management strategies for several common hardwood tree diseases with foliar symptoms.

    Register Here

    Thursday, April 30

    Soil Oxygen: The Real Limiting Factor For Urban Trees @ 10:00am-11:30am Mountain

    When soil oxygen is low, it not only affects the growth of tree roots, but also significantly affect the soil microbiome and soil health. Then can we measure soil oxygen? Conventionally, it is very cost-prohibitive and inconvenient to measure soil oxygen with expensive laboratory equipment. So it is rarely discussed and prescribed in tree planting projects. In this talk, we will demonstrate a novel, easy, fast, low-cost, and convenient way of measuring soil oxygen. With this new tool in the toolbox, arborists and landscape architects can have a better insights of the root causes instead of just suspecting, prescribe the often neglected soil oxygen, grow better trees, and serve their clients better.

    Register Here

    On-Demand CEUs

    Arbsession Training Videos

    Watch Here

    Forestry Webinars

    The Webinar Portal, a product of Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) and winner of the 2011 USDA Forest Service’s Two Chiefs’ Partnership Award, is a “multi discipline” web platform used to promote and deliver live and on-demand virtual events and webinars focused on forestry, agriculture, conservation, climate science and other natural resource disciplines.

    Watch Here

    TreeStuff Webinars on YouTube

    Watch a video and pass the quiz to qualify for free ISA CEUs.

    Watch Here

    Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)

    Introduction to Arboriculture Safety (1.25 ISA CEUs)

    In this program, you will learn about general tree care safety so that you can avoid accidents while working in the field.

    Susan Harwood Grant program OSHA Trainings (Up to 5 ISA CEUs)

    Free TCIA Member Webinars

    Remember, you can always ask your local ISA chapter if your event qualifies for CEUs.

    If your organization is hosting a free in-person or virtual ISA CEU opportunity, please reach out to so we can share it!

    Subscribe to continue to receive free notifications for no-cost ISA CEU events.

  • Free ISA CEUs: Week of April 20, 2026

    Free ISA CEUs: Week of April 20, 2026

    This week we are presenting to the Taos community, exploring the relationship between plants and their maps.

    If you’ve ever wondered why plants are vital to your community, how to collect data and use that data to make management decisions, this is the community event for you.

    Register below for this free in-person event as there is limited seating available.

    Register Here

    Are you interested in skill development as an ecosystem manager, but aren’t able to attend the in-person event?

    We offer consultations with sliding scale or alternative pricing structures for individuals and organizations.

    Contact Us

    There are four live webinars for free ISA CEUs available this week.

    Tuesday, April 21

    Tree Health Implications of Long-term Strategies to Treat Emerald Ash Borer: Long-term Effects on Tree Injections and Tree Tissue @ 11:00am Mountain

    Dr. Richard Hauer along with Dr. Andrew Koeser and Dr. Jake Miesbauer will present their 2021 Hyland Johns Grant Program titled, “Tree Health Implications of Long-term Strategies to Treat Emerald Ash Borer: Long-term Effects on Tree Injections and Tree Tissue”

    Register Here

    Western US: Oak Decline Issues @ 12:00pm Mountain

    Over the past decade, oak trees across the Western U.S. have experienced significant decline due to prolonged drought, changing climate, emerging diseases, invasive pests, and general neglect. As keystone species in both urban forests and residential landscapes, oaks play a vital ecological and aesthetic role, making their protection a valuable service you can offer your customers.

    Register Here

    Wednesday, April 22

    UAA Webinar: Remote Sensing Fundamentals: A Technical 101 for Utility Arborists @11:00am Mountain

    Register Here

    Thursday, April 23

    Diversity As a Resourcing Solution – A Lived Perspective @1:30pm Mountain

    Join us for to hear how Ali Jasper’s colleagues, employers, and community in Australia created a supportive environment for her to succeed despite the health challenges she faced for years. We’ll learn how the differences in people can help us develop accommodation in the workplace that make our teams stronger and our work more impactful.

    Register Here

    On-Demand CEUs

    Arbsession Training Videos

    Watch Here

    Forestry Webinars

    The Webinar Portal, a product of Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) and winner of the 2011 USDA Forest Service’s Two Chiefs’ Partnership Award, is a “multi discipline” web platform used to promote and deliver live and on-demand virtual events and webinars focused on forestry, agriculture, conservation, climate science and other natural resource disciplines.

    Watch Here

    TreeStuff Webinars on YouTube

    Watch a video and pass the quiz to qualify for free ISA CEUs.

    Watch Here

    Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)

    Introduction to Arboriculture Safety (1.25 ISA CEUs)

    In this program, you will learn about general tree care safety so that you can avoid accidents while working in the field.

    Susan Harwood Grant program OSHA Trainings (Up to 5 ISA CEUs)

    Free TCIA Member Webinars

    Remember, you can always ask your local ISA chapter if your event qualifies for CEUs.

    If your organization is hosting a free in-person or virtual ISA CEU opportunity, please reach out to so we can share it!

    Subscribe to continue to receive free notifications for no-cost ISA CEU events.

  • Free ISA CEUs: Week of April 13, 2026

    Free ISA CEUs: Week of April 13, 2026

    This week we are preparing for our presentation in Taos, exploring the relationship between plants and their maps.

    If you’ve ever wondered why plants are vital to your community, how to collect data and use that data to make management decisions, this is the community event for you.

    Register below for this free in-person event as there is limited seating available.

    Register Here

    Are you interested in skill development as an ecosystem manager, but aren’t able to attend the in-person event?

    We offer consultations with sliding scale or alternative pricing structures for individuals and organizations.

    Contact Us

    There are five live webinars for free ISA CEUs available this week.

    Tuesday, April 14

    California Tree Pests: Identification, Impact, and Strategies @ 12:00pm Mountain

    Join us for a one-hour webinar focused on the rising threat of emerging tree pests impacting California’s urban and landscape trees. Learn how pests such as the invasive shot hole borer, goldspotted oak borer, and other non-native species are altering tree health, biodiversity, and management priorities across the state. Discover the latest science-based detection tools, treatment timing, and integrated pest management practices guided by the ISA Western Chapter’s best standards. Strengthen your expertise and help your clients, communities, and landscapes stay resilient in the face of California’s evolving pest challenges.

    Register Here

    Wednesday, April 15

    ISA Texas Spanish Webinar Series @ 5:30am Mountain

    Register Here

    Unlocking the Power of Tree Inventory Data @11:00am Mountain

    Tree inventories are far more than a catalog of species, size, condition, and location—they are dynamic management tools that can drive smarter decisions, streamline daily operations, and strengthen long-term urban forest management.

    In Unlocking the Power of Tree Inventory Data, we pull back the curtain on one city that leverages tree inventory software to support every facet of its daily urban forestry operations.

    Register Here

    Thursday, April 16

    Beech leaf disease: A new nematode disease of beech trees in North America @ 9:00am Mountain

    Register Here

    Rocky Mountains: Understanding Bark Beetles @ 11:00am Mountain

    Join us for a one-hour webinar exploring the growing threat of bark beetles across the Rocky Mountain region. Learn how species like the mountain pine beetle and spruce beetle are reshaping forest and landscape health and discover practical, science-based management strategies to protect high-value trees. Gain insights into early detection, treatment timing, and effective client communication. Strengthen your expertise and prepare your business or municipality to lead in resilient tree care amid changing mountain ecosystem

    Register Here

    On-Demand CEUs

    Arbsession Training Videos

    Watch Here

    Forestry Webinars

    The Webinar Portal, a product of Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) and winner of the 2011 USDA Forest Service’s Two Chiefs’ Partnership Award, is a “multi discipline” web platform used to promote and deliver live and on-demand virtual events and webinars focused on forestry, agriculture, conservation, climate science and other natural resource disciplines.

    Watch Here

    TreeStuff Webinars on YouTube

    Watch a video and pass the quiz to qualify for free ISA CEUs.

    Watch Here

    Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)

    Introduction to Arboriculture Safety (1.25 ISA CEUs)

    In this program, you will learn about general tree care safety so that you can avoid accidents while working in the field.

    Susan Harwood Grant program OSHA Trainings (Up to 5 ISA CEUs)

    Free TCIA Member Webinars

    Remember, you can always ask your local ISA chapter if your event qualifies for CEUs.

    If your organization is hosting a free in-person or virtual ISA CEU opportunity, please reach out to so we can share it!

    Subscribe to continue to receive free notifications for no-cost ISA CEU events.

  • Tree Risk Assessments & Community Care

    Tree Risk Assessments & Community Care

    Last weekend, I attended the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop and it fundamentally changed my perspective on my life in the last 18 months. I haven’t decided if I’ll share some of the details at a later date, as it is very personal, but suffice it to say–I’m a changed woman.

    The next day, I found out that I passed the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. I was (and still am) over the moon about this accomplishment!

    Many of my clients aren’t familiar with Tree Risk Assessments, so let’s break it down:

    What are Tree Risk Assessments?

    Trees, like life, carry inherent risk. When a tree fails, it can have severe consequences. However, most trees carry low risk and the ecosystem benefits that they provide frequently outweigh the risks they pose to community.

    Tree Risk Assessments help tree managers/owners (homeowners, landlords, renters, etc) determine how to manage the risk of a particular tree or set of trees through the help of a trained professional (Tree Risk Assessor) to identify the potential causes of tree failure, the consequences of failure and how to mitigate the risk of a tree failing.

    As someone who was raised in communities with reduced canopy, many trees are removed because any risk of failure is unacceptable to the person responsible for the care of the tree. This can be due to perceived or actual costs associated with tree care like watering, pruning, or home/liability insurance.

    As your tree risk assessor, I’m providing an impartial view of how to mitigate risk while balancing the ecosystem benefits of a tree in your care.

    How can I reduce the risk of my tree failing?

    I’m a fan of the phrase coined by Benjamin Franklin ” an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

    Trees are living beings. They’re all individuals and require different kinds of care to stay healthy–just like humans.

    However, structural pruning, consistent watering and planting the right tree in the right place, in the right season for the right reason will likely set up your tree for generations of success.

    Plant Expertise for your Community

    Having an expert in your back pocket that understands plant biology and knows how to apply plant ecology processes for the health of your plant community is invaluable.

    Investing in the care of your plant community–trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, mosses, lichen, and more–is a return on investment that is counted in generations, not decades.

    An experienced plant scientist guiding the way to sustainable systems of care for your community supports the peace of mind that only a healthy landscape provides.

    Marching Orders

    I’ll be in Utah next week for the Rare Plant Meeting; I’ll be providing the closing presentation on Day 2, marking the beginning of a new year for the plant and people communities in the high desert. I highly encourage everyone to attend either in-person or on Zoom.

    On March 10th, I’ll be interviewed on Career Opportunities in Ecology webinar with the Ecological Society of America, sharing my career journey and advice for folks entering ecological career fields.

    I look forward to connecting with you all soon!

    Contact Us

  • Abbottanical Native Wildflower Seeds

    Abbottanical Native Wildflower Seeds

    Originally published in September 2021 and re-published on May 2, 2025.

    After starting this business in 2019, I desperately wanted to provide a product that was missing from the market in the Intermountain West: a locally-sourced, 100% native wildflower seed mix.

    Many of the wildflower seed mixes that are commercially available in nurseries and grocery stores are labeled as native, but have non-native or even invasive species to cut the mix to bring down costs. Cynoglossum amabile, Chinese forget-me-not, is a wildflower that is native to central Asia and is regularly used in pollinator mixes. While it is beautiful, it does tend to escape from gardens and becomes a persistent weed in the community. Additionally, pollinators visit this flower, but a native Utah bee wouldn’t have a symbiotic relationship to a flower that originates on the other side of the world. Consider an alternative: a native forget-me-not that has evolved within ecological communities within Utah, like Hackelia micanthra, meadow forget-me-not, or Eritrichium nanum, arctic alpine forget-me-not.

    Unfortunately, it is difficult to source native seeds, especially in Utah where wild native plants have a reputation of being “weeds” or are considered “ugly” in comparison to showy cultivars that are widely available in large nurseries. That being said, I was able to come up with a seed mix that features showy native wildflowers that are a proven hit with pollinators and “poor” soil that is prevalent in Utah.

    I feel that these wildflowers represent the best parts of Utah: resilience, beauty and hope for a brighter future. I consider all of them my friends that cheer me up during my long weeks in the field under the hot summer sun. As this mix has a variety of annuals and perennials, you will find that some of these friends won’t make a dramatic appearance for a couple of years. I have a 3 tips to help the wait feel a bit shorter:

    #1. Be patient: long-lasting relationships that are healing our environment takes time.

    #2. Be on the lookout for introduced species that can be used at home for food or herbal remedies. Finding plants that settler ancestors brought that have crowded out their neighbors, limited traditional food & medicine pathways and reduced pollinators is one way to support indigenous sovereignty within our communities. I always recommend utilizing safety protocols to eliminate spread.

    #3. Be Mindful: It is the perfect time to practice relationships (plant identification & learning plant ecology) with your annual wildflowers and other plants that already exist within your community.

    These are the 10 wildflowers that made the cut for “Abbottanical Native Wildflower Seeds” Mix:

    Penstemon palmeri (Palmer’s penstemon) is a perennial light-pink snapdragon look-alike that is widespread in Utah between 3,000 and 8,000 ft. Peak flowering times occur in late-April through mid-June. It is also one of the few penstemon that have a scent.

    Photo courtesy of Stan Shebs via Wikimedia Commons.

    Distribution Map

    Linium lewisii (Blue Flax) is a showy blue perennial that is native to North America and can be found along roadsides and washes. This plant can be used as fiber and is a popular favorite for pollinators. Peak flowering time is from early-May to mid-July between 2,000 and 10,000 feet. It loves full-sun and birds love to snack on its seeds through fall and winter.

    Photo courtesy of Skoch3 via Wikimedia Commons.

    Distribution Map

    Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain Beeplant, waa’, tumi, a’pilalu & ado:we) is a prolific native wildflower in North America. An annual with vivid pink or creamy white blossoms, it has numerous ethnobotanical uses and attracts innumerable pollinators. It flowers between late-July and early-September at elevations between 2,000 and 8,000 feet.

    Photo courtesy of Clarence A. Rechenthin via Wikimedia Commons.

    Distribution Map

    Balsamorhiza sagittata (Arrowleaf Balsamroot) is a large yellow flower and a member of the sunflower family found in western North America. Perennial and full of ethnobotanical uses, it attracts native pollinators to your garden. Flowering between mid-May through June and thrives in elevations up to 8,000 feet.

    Photo courtesy of Extemporalist via Wikimedia Commons.

    Distribution Map

    Gaillardia aristata (Common Blanketflower), a perennial native wildflower that has multiple ethnobotanical uses. Usually found in seed mixes as a cultivar, but is locally-sourced seed in our mix that grows wild in fields and meadows within the Intermountain West. Flowers from June to July up to 8,000 feet.

    Photo courtesy of Walter Sigmund via Wikimedia Commons.

    Distribution Map

    Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower), this is a popular perennial medicinal wildflower that is native to the central United States and is found within Colorado’s native range. As it isn’t strictly a Utah native plant, I debated adding it to the seed mix. However, its popularity and showiness as a native North American plant is tremendous. It is easily recognizable and heavily attracts native pollinators. I’m in the works on sourcing seeds from it’s closely-related cousin Rudbeckia occidentalis (western coneflower) that is a native Utah wildflower for next season’s seed mix.

    Photo courtesy of Eric Hunt via Wikimedia Commons.

    Distribution Map

    Lupinus argenteus (Silvery Lupine) is a stunning perennial wildflower that grows across North America, including Utah. Despite its beauty, it is the only plant in this mix that isn’t safe for consumption. It is safe to touch, but don’t let children, livestock or pets consume it. If you don’t want it in your garden, it is very easy to identify and remove before it becomes established. Flowering occurs during the summer (June through August) and thrives at elevations between 4,000 and 10,000 feet.

    Photo courtesy of Morgan S. Abbott, Abbott Botanical Assessments.

    Distribution Map

    Achillea millefollium (Yarrow) is a common wildflower that is extremely prevalent throughout North America and is starting to be incorporated into lawns and neighborhood gardens. Yarrow blooms from late-March into early-August, especially at lower elevations (0-2,000 feet). At higher elevations (4,000-10,000 ft), yarrow has a shorter blooming period, from mid-June to the end of August. This wildflower is considered native, but has been hybridizing with European cultivars for hundreds of years, blurring the line between native and naturalized.

    Photo courtesy of Morgan S. Abbott, Abbott Botanical Assessments.

    Distribution Map

    Sphaeralcea coccinea (Scarlet Globemallow), an ethnobotanical staple in the West, is a personal favorite of mine. It loves to grow in hot, dry places that have high rates of disturbance. Its red-orange blossoms can be found during May and June from 4,000 to 8,000 feet. A perfect wildflower for a south-facing side yard in Utah Valley.

    Photo courtesy of Morgan S. Abbott, Abbott Botanical Assessments

    Distribution Map

    Sphaeralcea parviflora (Smallflower Globemallow) was chosen for this mix because it is so prevalent in the Colorado Plateau and the Mojave Desert ecosystems. I wanted to include a plant that is quintessential to desert life and red rock. Also a dedication to people and places that are dear to me. The bloom time for this wildflower can be seen from late-April to early-July from 4,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation.

    Photo courtesy of Max Licher via SEINet Portal Network.

    Distribution Map

    Propagation of “Abbottanical Native Wildflower Seeds”

    These 5 steps are sourced from this website!

    #1: Planting Time: This means plant right after the first hard frost. The recommended date would be on Halloween (October 31, 2021) if you’re sowing around 4,800 feet.

    #2: Prepare your site. Look for an area that has at least 6 hours of sun per day. Remove weeds and other unwanted materials. Wildflowers need room to grow!

    #3: Sow. You can mix your seeds with sand for even distribution. Make sure to spread the seeds out so that they can thrive and not compete with each other for nutrients.

    #4: Step on the seeds. Gently walk on the area that you sowed seeds. They need sun and will not germinate if they aren’t stratified by cold weather.

    #5: Hurry up and wait. You don’t need to water seeds as they should receive enough precipitation in the winter. Blooms for annuals will appear in spring or early summer.

    Where can I buy your seeds?

    I am no longer carrying or selling this product. If you are interested in sourcing 100% native wildflower seeds please contact your local Utah Native Plant Society chapter, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management field office, University with a field botany course (Southern Utah University, Utah Valley University, Weber State, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, etc), or relevant community partners.