Inspiring Future Arborists
Pictured from left to right, back row: Nick Lemley, Brohn Amstutz, Jeff Wernet and Mark
Noark; front row: John Lang, from Kent Roosevelt High School's urban forestry program.
Kids' Climb No. 1:
Family Fun Day, Pegasus Farm
Pegasus Farm in Hartville, Ohio, opened its
gates to more than 2,000 attendees for one
whole day of laughter and "old country fun"
at the annual Family Fun Day fundraiser event.
Pegasus Farm, a rehabilitation center focused
on equestrian therapy for participants with
disabilities, invites community members to the
farm each summer to host a fundraiser and
spread awareness of its mission.
This year's event introduced new faces to the
cause when farm organizers invited Davey to
join the celebration. Davey volunteers decided
to sponsor a kids' climb event, providing more
than 250 kids and a few parents the opportunity
to climb a beautiful silver maple tree.
Davey's team included Mark Noark, manager
of recruiting and training, as well as Canton
R/C District Manager Jeffrey Wernet, Sales
Arborists Nick Lemley and Brohn Amstutz and
John Lang, Kent Roosevelt High School urban
forestry instructor. Together they hosted a
crowd-pleasing tree climb.
"It was definitely a fun day at a beautiful
place," Wernet says. "Some of the kids were
scared to climb at first, but once we started to
safely hoist them up the tree, they had fun."
Davey's crew set up three climbing routes
on the tree, which gave more children the
chance to climb. Wernet recalls at least four
kids waiting in each line for a chance to climb
throughout the entire day.
"The Pegasus Farm kids' climb was a true
success," Noark says. "Many clients expressed
appreciation for our work with the kids."
Kids' Climb No. 2:
Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Cleveland Botanical Garden is the perfect
outdoor setting for children to run, play, climb
and explore Mother Nature's lush environment.
Davey joined the adventure at Hershey
Children's Garden to sponsor a kids' climb
event and inspire children to branch out of
their comfort zones and become arborists for
the day. More than 500 children participated in
the two-day climb to learn basic climbing and
safety techniques.
Davey's volunteer team included Mark
Noark, manager of recruiting and training;
Joe Shaw and Paul Herb, recruiter/trainers;
Pictured from left to right, back row: Andy
Savage (son of Jim Savage), Paul Herb,
Chad Clink from Holden Arboretum, Joe
Shaw; front row: Mark Noark, Jim Savage
(from Penn State University) and a kids'
climb participant.
Noark says Pegasus Farm is an amazing
organization that offers equine activities and
recreational, social and vocational support to
over 500 individuals with disabilities each year.
"It was a really great day working with an
excellent organization," Noark says. "Pegasus
Farm already invited us back next year for
another kids' climb event."
16 | November/December 2015
