Taught by arborists Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll and Bear LeVangie, this workshop, held on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is designed for the chainsaw operator who wishes to gain greater confidence with this powerful tool. This Level 2 chainsaw class will combine lecture and hands-on learning covering topics such as PPE, review of safe operations and move on to advanced bucking and basic felling techniques. Note: Attendance in this chainsaw class is built on the prerequisite of attending a Chainsaw Level I class. Attendees will be required to wear PPE. Please bring your own chainsaw in good working order, e.g., running well, chain tensioned and sharpened, fueled and oiled. Dress and prepare for the weather including long sleeves, pants and boots. Bring a bag lunch. Scholarships are available. 

Melissa LeVangie Ingersoll is a passionate educator about trees, tree care and tree climbing among many other extensive topics. She holds many professional certifications, including an ISA Certified Arborist, an ISA Tree Climbing Specialist, and a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Outside of being a Co-Founder of the WTCW (Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop) a workshop for women taught by women to climb trees with an emphasis on arboriculture.

Additionally, she is the Educational Director and a Business Development Advocate for Shelter Tree/RBI, a premier arborist equipment supplier. She is the Past-President of the Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association and of the New England Chapter of ISA.

Bear LeVangie is an ISA TRAQ Certified Arborist, CT licensed arborist, and MA Qualified Tree Warden. She is the co-founder of the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop and serves as a lead instructor and as the Executive Director. Bear’s career in arboriculture includes utility, research, invasive species inspection, education, production climber, IPM, and training. Bear also served as New England Chapter Past-President, holds pesticide licenses in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, and is a retired NETCC Champion and ITCC climber.