Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines
Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Rick Johnstone, founder of IVM Partners and a utility vegetation management veteran with nearly 50 years of experience, joins hosts Phil Charlton, PH.D and Tej Singh to discuss how Integrated Vegetation Management goes far beyond cutting trees and controlling brush.
Rick shares how his career evolved from forester at Allegheny Power and Delmarva Power to founding IVM Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to proving that rights-of-way can be managed as valuable habitat corridors rather than maintenance liabilities. He explains how working with federal and state agencies transformed his approach to vegetation management and why collaboration beats confrontation every time.
The conversation covers how retaining native seed banks creates habitat for rare orchids, Blanding's turtles, and quail, how IVM programs can reduce wildfire risk by managing for low-growing, cool-burning plants, why utilities should view agencies as partners, and how Enable Midstream saved $500,000 annually while improving ecological outcomes.
Rick also discusses his current work with wind, solar, natural gas projects, and railroads managing for monarch butterflies and pollinators.
Have a listen, hope you enjoy!
#VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #IVM #EcosystemManagement #HabitatRestoration #Pollinators #WildlifeConservation