Trees and the Law Webinar Series 

Dates: May 30th
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM ET

PART 1:
Senate Bill 518; Florida statute 163.045: a Critical Education on the Do’s and Don’ts
Co-Presenter: Tim Snedaker Esq. Snedaker Law
Co-Presenter: Joe Samnik, Testifying Expert Witness

Join veteran testifying expert Joe Samnik and attorney Tim Snedaker for an eye-opening webinar examining the full impact of Florida’s Senate Bill 518—known as the Property Owners Bill of Rights. We’ll explore the law’s origins, intent, and fallout from both legal and arboricultural perspectives. What started as an effort to limit local government overreach has shifted the balance of power in urban forest management, giving property owners new freedoms while sidelining municipalities and arborists. This session will unpack the statute’s reliance on the Best Management Practices (BMP) 2nd Edition (2017), the broad definition of “documentation,” and the loopholes around verbal or informal assessments. Using real-world case studies like Vickery v. Pensacola, the Gandy mobile home park, and the Schiller property, we’ll explore how the statute has been interpreted in court, how “residential” is now strictly defined, and the critical role ISA-certified arborists play in tree risk assessment If you manage urban canopy policies, perform risk assessments, or advocate for sustainable tree protections, this webinar is a must.. Learn what’s really required, what’s missing, and what’s at stake for Florida’s urban forests

PART 2:
The Fallen Tree Act: Dead Bill, Live Consequences – How Self-Help and Case Law Still Shape Tree Disputes in Florida
Co-Presenter: Tim Snedaker Esq. Snedaker Law
Co-Presenter: Joe Samnik, Testifying Expert Witness

Although HB 599 and SB 724 have been withdrawn, the legal questions they raised remain very much alive—and misunderstood. This timely webinar demystifies property owner liability, the limits of “self-help,” and how the Massachusetts Rule and Gallo v. Heller continue to govern tree disputes in Florida. Learn what happens when a tree fails across a property line, who bears responsibility, and why relying on hearsay can cost your clients—or your company—dearly.

Packed with case law insights and practical risk guidance, this is a must-attend for urban forestry professionals working at the intersection of policy, practice, and tree risk management navigating the gray zones of tree law.

FUFC Lunch & Learn Webinar

Title: Wetland Mitigation Banking in Florida
Date: June 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET
Presented by: Victoria K. Bruce, The Mitigation Banking Group, Inc.

Description details coming soon!