"We have four base members - Jabeen (me, the owner and operator) , Shayla, Hannah, and Vic. We all met through schooling for our apprenticeship program or through a groundworker training program, and we remained in contact and became friends. When I first started throwing around the idea of starting my own company, it was with every intention of preserving trees for wildlife and to find ways to integrate wildlife preservation into arboriculture. Prior to becoming an arborist, I was an animal control officer for the OSPCA and a Wildlife Handler and Educator for a private zoo for rescued exotic animals. After learning more about wildlife and the types of conflict they often encounter with humans, I wanted to use my business and my platform to help educate people about trees and their importance to both humans and wild animals alike. Most importantly, I wanted to set my company apart from others. Women are grossly underrepresented in our industry, and LGBTQ2+ folks even more so. I wanted to find a way for everyone to be represented in the industry, and I was able to do that by leaning on my friends. Each of them has their own unique ability, and I love to showcase that uniqueness in the work we do. Although we have a base crew, we also invite other women and non-binary arborists to work with us when we need extra hands, as well as working with our male colleagues to get the job done. In addition to paid work, we also volunteer for local animal rehabilitation facilities to prune and remove hazard trees on their property, and work with wildlife rehabs to return birds and raptors back to their nests."

"Like many people in the tree industry, I started from the very bottom as a groundsman. As I grew in the trade, I was able to share more with my partner, Angela who began her journey of becoming a certified arborist. Together we started our company, Arbor Conscious, with the mission of diligent safety, excellent customer service, and mindful management of our urban forest. We were both able to quit our jobs and transition into full time business owners in 2022. Our greyhound, Chinook, rides along on quotes and seals the deal.

Our city, Gainesville, FL hosts a vibrant urban sprawl under a canopy of hardwoods and pines which truly makes our city unique in Florida. Our company slogan is “Support your Local Canopy” and our mission is to manage our unique urban forest through science driven modern forestry techniques. We work closely with our city’s Urban Forestry Department and connect them to our customers to ensure the right trees are saved. Urban forestry is an evolving science, and we are excited to be a part of this emerging discipline."

-Angela Wilson

President, Arbor Conscious