April 19, 2012
Contact: Matt Ritter
805-756-2775; mritter@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Professor Recognized for Excellence in Education of Arborists
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly Professor Matt Ritter won the R. W. Harris Excellence in Education Award from the International Society of Arboriculture. The award will be presented April 30 during the annual conference of the western chapter.
The R. W. Harris Award is given to an individual that has made an outstanding contribution to education of the group’s members.
Ritter was recognized for teaching workshops on tree identification and authoring “A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us,” which details the color, shapes, textures and aromas of trees and how they can be used to muffle noise, create wildlife habitats, mitigate pollution, conserve energy and improve quality of life.
Ritter teaches botany in the Biological Sciences Department of the College of Science and Mathematics at Cal Poly.
The International Society of Arboriculture certifies professional arborists. Founded in 1924, the organization promotes research, technology and education in the professional practice of growing and caring for trees and fosters a greater worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees.
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San Luis Obispo, California 93407