Purdue Student
            Society of
              Arboriculture

PSSA contact: purduessa@yahoo.com

  Purdue Student Society of Arboriculture (PSSA) is a student organization affiliated with the Indiana Arborist Association (IAA), a chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The purpose of this organization is to advance the science, technology, education, and practice of urban forestry and arboriculture, and to use the knowledge and skill of the profession to benefit the members and society. This organization does tree care to develop basic arboricultural skills and enhance the educational experience of club members. The club sponsors the Urban Forest Career Forum in the fall to benefit members and conducts a recreational tree climb at Spring Fest as a community service.

  Tree care provided for the Purdue Research Foundation and community citizens is the club's primary fund raising activity. PSSA also sells Charlie Brown Christmas trees. Because club members work almost every Sunday afternoon in the fall and spring, the club is a very close knit group connected by shared experiences.

The club actively supports member travel to professional events. The fall event has been the Tree Care Industry Association EXPO; Columbus , Ohio in 2005. The spring event has been the Midwest Urban Tree Care Forum in Chicago .

The club meets on Monday evenings, almost always in conjunction with a guest speaker from FNR 444 or FNR 498U, arboriculture and urban forestry courses. PSSA is proud of its tradition of non-pizza food at club meetings. Membership in PSSA is open to all students at Purdue University . There are 15-18 members, mostly juniors and seniors. Club dues are $6 per semester or $10 for the year. Student members of ISA ($25) are automatically PSSA and IAA members.

  Club officers for Spring, 2005: Joshua Douglass, president; Cory Schnick, vice-president; Josh Beam, treasurer; Josh Sloan, secretary; and Joe Uhler, student council representative. Faculty advisers: Harvey Holt and Rita Mckenzie.