Melanie Helmuth shows Boys & Girls Club members how she climbs a tree so she can prune it properly.

By Julie Young
Guest Author

Editor’s Note: This article was published in the March issue of HomeLiving Places & Spaces, a publication of The Papers Inc.

GOSHEN — Melanie Helmuth never planned to become the urban the urban forester for the city of Goshen, but after traveling a long and winding road she’s exactly where she is meant to be.

“I went to college for theater and then decided to stay around Goshen after graduation. I got a job with a landscaping firm, but when COVID hit, I realized I wanted to do more environmental advocacy work,” she said.

Helmuth learned about the Indiana Master Naturalist program offered through the state’s Department of Natural Resources and signed up. As part of her coursework, Helmuth accrued her volunteer hours with the Goshen Environmental Resilience Department, where she learned more about the community’s tree canopy. Her passion for tree advocacy eventually led to a part-time job.

“The rest, as they say, is history,” she said.

Melanie Helmuth, urban forester for the city of Goshen, gives a thumbs up as she prepares to start pruning one of the city’s many trees.

As the urban forester for the city, Helmuth conducts a wide range of programming for those who want to learn more about how trees impact the local environment. She holds tree plantings at local schools, organizes hikes and nature walks, and even helps kids dissect owl pellets when they visit the Goshen Rieth Interpretative Center.

Helmuth said in order to bring about environmental change, it is important for people of all ages to make a connection with the world around them, especially the role trees play in the circle of life. Not only do they provide shade on a sunny day, but they can also help keep energy bills lower in the summer months. They also provide food and shelter for animals; help soak up rainwater and so much more.

“I think that the public education component is the best thing about my job,” Helmuth said. “It is so exciting to see people connect the dots and learn to appreciate what we have especially as it pertains to trees. However, it is also challenging because you have to impress upon them the importance of keeping up with all of the things that need to be done after you plant a tree like watering it, pruning it, and making sure that they stay healthy. It’s an ongoing process.”

Helmuth’s career continues to branch out and at the present time, she is studying for her International Society of Arboriculture certification – a credential that will showcase her commitment to properly caring for and maintaining trees. The ISA Credentialing Council requires a candidate to have a minimum of three years of full-time experience in arboriculture, or a combination of education and practical arboriculture experience before they can take the 200-300 question test. Once she passes the test, the credential will show that Helmuth has demonstrated a broad knowledge about her field of expertise and the public can feel good about the information she has to share with them.

“I really love trees,” she said. “Not only did I grow up climbing on them, but there is something so relaxing about walking through a forest and they create community because people congregate beneath them. They truly give us so much and we should appreciate them.”