016 Forester Credentials
August 23, 2017
Eric LaBrie, President ESM Consulting Engineers
33400 8th Avenue South
Suite # 205
Federal Way, WA 98003
Subject: My Credentials
Dear Mr. LaBrie:
In response to question regarding my credentials as they relate to the implementation of
the Weyerhaeuser Company Concomitant Pre-Annexation Zoning Agreement, I am a
“Forester.” I have a bachelor of science degree in forestry from the College of Forestry,
Wildlife, and Range Sciences, (now called the College of Naturals Resources), at the
University of Idaho. This is one of the premier forestry colleges in America, currently
celebrating its 100-year anniversary of its founding. While I was in college I was elected
to be a member of the Xi Sigma Pi honor society. (Their stated goal is “to secure and
maintain a high standard of scholarship in forestry education, to work for the
improvement of the forestry profession, and to promote a fraternal spirit among those
engaged in activities related to the forest.”) (Because of their high standards, to be
elected as a member was a great honor.)
I have worked as a park aide in two state parks, one in northern Idaho and one in eastern
Washington. I was the ‘live-in’ park manager/ranger of an old state park in eastern
Washington where I managed of hundreds of acres of forest for six years.
I am also a member of the Society of American Foresters.
When I moved back to the Puget Sound region, my forestry training was instrumental in
my success as an urban forester/arborist. This was accomplished through professional
memberships, attendance at continuing education seminars, classes, and conferences, as
well as a good deal of study on my own, in addition to my practical, everyday work. My
college training in systematic botany, dendrology, natural resources management, and
forest ecology have been put to good use looking at urban/suburban trees in the larger
context of natural resources from a forestry point of view. It has provided a solid
foundation for problem solving not only for the immediate situation but for decades into
the future.
Qualifications to be the Forest Manager
The Federal Way Campus Project
Gilles Consulting
August 23, 2017
Page 2 of 2
Prior to starting my own consulting business, I was the city arborist and park operations
manager for the City of Mercer Island for 9 years and city arborist for Kirkland for 3.5
years. For the past 18 years I have been using these skills, training, and experience as a
consulting arborist dealing with clients that range from municipal parks and public works
departments, school districts, architects and engineering firms, homeowners, as well as
property managers of large and small sites. I am experienced in developing forest
management plans in both urban and rural locations to promote forest health and best use.
I believe that my formal training, and my 35+ years of experience in dealing with both
individual trees and large forests puts me in a unique and highly qualified position to be
the Forest Manager for the old Weyerhaeuser Campus Managed Forest Buffers. In
addition, in my work with the development/design team I bring a uniquely qualified view
of the managed forest buffers as both forest entities and urban/suburban parks. I am able
look at the goals of the developer and the requirements of the City to work towards
outcomes that are attractive, save as many large trees as is practical with a view of the
overall health of the forest. I bring a high level of skills, knowledge, and abilities to the
team.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call.
Sincerely,
Brian K. Gilles, Consulting Arborist
ISA Certified Arborist # PN-0260A
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist # RCA-418
ISA TRAQ Qualified
ISA TRAQ Certified Instructor