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Introduction Tree care professionals need to be aware of their impact on wildlife because their activities can directly or indirectly harm animals. Direct harm includes injuring or killing wildlife or removing nests with eggs or young. Indirect harm involves actions like removing vegetation that protects nests from weather or predators. Understanding these impacts helps arborists balance their work with wildlife care, ensuring they minimize harm while maintaining and creating habitats. This awareness is crucial for preserving urban biodiversity and supporting species that depend on specific tree structures, like dead branches. Migratory Bird Treaty Act The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) (16 U.S.C. 703-712) plays a significant role in tree care by protecting migratory birds from harm during tree care activities. Here are some key points: Protection of Birds: The MBTA makes it illegal to harm, kill, or disturb migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs without a permit. This includes both direct harm (e.g., cutting down a tree with an active nest) and indirect harm (e.g., removing vegetation that protects a nest). Industry Standards: Tree care professionals must follow best practices to comply with the MBTA. This includes conducting pre-work inspections to identify and avoid disturbing active nests. Minimizing Impact: The MBTA encourages arborists to adopt methods that minimize the impact on bird habitats. This can involve timing tree care activities to avoid nesting seasons (birds in California generally nest between February and August) and using techniques that reduce the risk of disturbing birds. Legal Implications: Violating the MBTA can result in significant fines and penalties. Therefore, municipalities and tree care companies must be diligent in their practices to avoid unintentional harm to migratory birds. By adhering to the MBTA, tree care professionals can help protect bird populations and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in urban environments. Minimizing Impacts to Wildlife During Tree Care: Tree care work varies in its risk to wildlife, and proper preparation and on -site actions can reduce these impacts. Best management practices for minimizing impacts for wildlife are organized into the following categories: Training: Ensuring tree care workers are aware of wildlife and can involve trained professionals when needed. Training levels range from basic awareness to Wildlife Trained Arborists to Wildlife Biologist with specialized knowledge in wildlife protection and habitat assessment. Project Preparation: Assessing the breeding season and habitat value of a site to categorize the work and minimize impacts. This involves desktop reviews and site visits to understand potential wildlife presence. In California, nesting season for birds is generally from February through August. For standalone projects involving trees, work