Trees & Lines: A Utility Vegetation Management Podcast

Iapetus Infrastructure Services
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Utility vegetation management (UVM) manages risks and controls vegetation that could potentially threaten power lines, railways, roadways, etc. It is perhaps one of the most important fields of environmental impact in the 21st century and is especially important in the U.S., where it is the largest factor in managing outages and the reliability of utilities.In Trees & Lines utility vegetation management podcast, veteran Phil Charlton and Iapetus COO Tej Singh discuss the future of this critical industry and together with keynote guests explore how UVM industry leaders are investing in new technologies, redefining safety culture, addressing ESG (environmental, social, governance) initiatives, and bringing awareness to career opportunities in the burgeoning field of UVM. It's a fresh take on an industry that once operated quietly and is now part of a global discussion with mainstream visibility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6D AGO

    Reclaiming Right-of-Ways and Relationships w/ Joe DeLong

    Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Joe DeLong, Forester for the City of Westerville Electric Division, joins hosts Philip Charlton, Ph.D. and Tej Singh to discuss how a small municipal utility reduced tree-caused outages by 41%. Joe shares his journey from climbing trees in the field to leading the vegetation management program for Westerville, a public power utility serving just 12 square miles. Faced with areas that hadn't been touched in over 10 years and limited resources, Joe implemented satellite imagery, standardized ANSI practices, and built a comprehensive tree replacement program that turned pushback into community buy-in. The conversation covers how satellite imagery integrated with existing city systems to create visibility across the entire system, why Joe maintains both satellite data and a manual tracking backup system, how a free tree replacement program reduced resident complaints and improved urban canopy, and why requiring all crew members to become certified arborists elevated the entire team's capabilities. Joe also discusses the challenges of working with limited budgets, the importance of data-driven decision making, and how technology like AI and species identification is shaping the future of municipal vegetation management. From reclaiming overgrown rights-of-way to planting trees every Friday in the fall, Joe's approach proves that small utilities can achieve big results with the right strategy. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #SatelliteImagery #MunicipalUtilities #DataDrivenVegetationManagement #UrbanForestry #UtilityOperations #GridReliability #TreeWork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min

  2. APR 15

    Building Partnerships with Utilities, Agencies and the Landscape They Share w/Rick Johnstone

    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min

  3. MAR 25

    The Future of Pipelines and Energy Infrastructure w/ Dean Mutrie

    Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Dean Mutrie, a veteran of the pipeline industry and keynote speaker at the upcoming International Symposium on Environmental Concerns and Rights of Way Management, joins hosts Philip M. Charlton and Brian Sprinkle to discuss his decades-long career in pipeline rights of way management. Dean shares how he transitioned from environmental studies to specializing in pipeline construction and regulatory filings, what he learned working on projects across Canada and the U.S., and why practical field experience is essential for environmental professionals. The conversation covers the evolution of the Rights of Way Symposium over 50 years, the growing complexity of pipeline development in today's regulatory environment, and the critical safety differences between pipeline and rail transport for oil and gas. Dean also discusses the challenges of balancing energy infrastructure development with environmental and Indigenous concerns, and why multidisciplinary collaboration at conferences like the symposium is more important than ever. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #RightOfWay #PipelineIndustry #EnergyInfrastructure #UtilityOperations #EnvironmentalManagement #SafetyCulture #InfrastructureDevelopment #RegulatoryCompliance #LeadershipLessons #UtilityInnovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  4. MAR 4

    Shaping Utility Forestry through Policy and Partnerships w/Chris Rooney

    Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Chris Rooney, Forestry Manager at Rhode Island Energy, joins us to discuss how legislation can be a powerful tool for utilities looking to deliver more consistent, effective vegetation management programs. Chris shares how Rhode Island Energy navigated a major corporate transition from National Grid to PPL Corporation and used that moment as an opportunity to advocate for state level legislation that formalizes their forestry planning process. He explains how the law brings municipalities to the table, enhances community notification, and creates a four year planning cycle with real stakeholder input. The conversation also covers managing a remarkably diverse urban forest across 38 cities and towns, building a Right Tree, Right Place program, and why collaboration with lawmakers, the PUC, and community partners is now central to Rhode Island Energy's vegetation management strategy. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #GridReliability #UtilityOperations #RightTreeRightPlace #EnergyInfrastructure #Utilities #UrbanForestry #StormPreparedness #SafetyCulture #UtilityInnovation #WorkplaceSafety #LeadershipLessons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min

  5. FEB 18

    From Vegetation Control to Habitat Creation w/Stan Vera-Art

    Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Stan Vera-Art, President and Creative Catalyst at Grow With Trees, joins us to discuss how the industry is shifting from vegetation control to habitat creation. Stan shares insights from a cross-industry effort to develop an Infrastructure Land Stewardship Certification and explains how utilities and right-of-way managers are embracing a stewardship mindset. He discusses early pilot programs, biodiversity metrics, and how rewarding crews for habitat outcomes can strengthen retention and professional pride while transforming corridors into sustainability assets. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #HabitatCreation #RightOfWay #InfrastructureStewardship #Biodiversity #UtilityLeadership #Sustainability #WorkforceDevelopment #Utilities #LeadershipLessons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min

  6. FEB 4

    From Time-Based to Risk-Based Vegetation Planning w/ Don Adcock

    Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Don Adcock, Sr. Manager, Power Delivery Vegetation Mgmt Operations at Entergy, joins us to discuss how utilities are transitioning from traditional time-based vegetation cycles to more targeted, risk-based planning. Don shares how Entergy has evolved its approach in response to wildfire risk, storm exposure, regulatory pressure, and rapid load growth across the Southeast. He explains how circuit segmentation, condition-based triggers, and emerging technology help utilities focus resources where risk is highest while maintaining safety, reliability, and cost discipline. The conversation also covers contractor partnerships, regulatory coordination, and why vegetation management is now central to overall utility risk mitigation. Have a listen, hope you enjoy! #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #RiskBasedManagement #GridReliability #WildfireMitigation #StormPreparedness #EnergyInfrastructure #UtilityOperations #SafetyCulture #UtilityInnovation #Utilities #ExecutiveStrategy #WorkplaceSafety #LeadershipLessons  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min

  7. JAN 21

    Monarchs, Bumblebees, and Right-of-Way Conservation w/Megan Petraitis

    Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Megan Petraitis, Senior Program Manager at UIC Energy Resources Center, joins us to discuss how right-of-way lands are becoming critical habitats for pollinators like monarch butterflies and bumblebees. Megan shares how the Right-of-Way is Habitat Working Group brings together utilities, transportation agencies, and regulators to advance voluntary conservation through targeted vegetation management practices. She explains how conservation agreements create regulatory certainty, reduce costs, and support biodiversity while aligning with utility operations. Have a listen, hope you enjoy!   #VegetationManagement #PollinatorHabitat #UtilityArboriculture #RightOfWay #Monarchs #Bumblebees #Sustainability #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #Conservation #Utilities #LeadershipLessons #UtilityInnovation #ExecutiveStrategy #LeadershipLessons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min

  8. JAN 7

    Supporting Women in Utility Forestry and Leadership w/Jenna Turner & Kathy Ferrier

    Get the latest updates from our LinkedIn page! https://onelink.to/treesandlines Welcome back to another episode of the Trees & Lines podcast. Jenna Turner, Manager Vegetation Management at Eversource Energy, and Kathleen Ferrier, Supervisor Transmission Vegetation Mgmt. at Eversource Energy, join us to discuss how the industry can better support women in utility forestry and leadership roles. Jenna and Kathleen share their experiences navigating a historically male-dominated field, the importance of visibility and mentorship, and how intentional recruiting, training, and culture-building can attract more women into UVM careers. They also highlight how conversations around inclusion are shifting, why early outreach matters, and how contractors, utilities, and leaders can create environments where women feel seen, supported, and empowered. Have a listen, hope you enjoy!  #VegetationManagement #UtilityArboriculture #UtilityLeadership #WomenInForestry #WomenInEnergy #EnergyInfrastructure #Arboriculture #GridReliability #LeadershipLessons #UtilityInnovation #Sustainability #Utilities #ExecutiveStrategy #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipLessons  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
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Utility vegetation management (UVM) manages risks and controls vegetation that could potentially threaten power lines, railways, roadways, etc. It is perhaps one of the most important fields of environmental impact in the 21st century and is especially important in the U.S., where it is the largest factor in managing outages and the reliability of utilities.In Trees & Lines utility vegetation management podcast, veteran Phil Charlton and Iapetus COO Tej Singh discuss the future of this critical industry and together with keynote guests explore how UVM industry leaders are investing in new technologies, redefining safety culture, addressing ESG (environmental, social, governance) initiatives, and bringing awareness to career opportunities in the burgeoning field of UVM. It's a fresh take on an industry that once operated quietly and is now part of a global discussion with mainstream visibility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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