Shannon Borucke
Boston
Summary
Skilled in urban forestry and certified as a Permaculture Designer, I excel in transforming landscapes into sustainable ecosystems. All across New England, I led teams to enhance tree and plant health within urban green spaces and large-scale farms. My approach integrates innovative care techniques with a focus on ecological regeneration, and achieving significant improvements in plant vitality and community engagement-through community-based projects.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Arborist Apprentice
Mount Auburn Cemetery
05.2024 - Current
- Gained extensive knowledge of local arboriculture through hands-on experience in different conditions under the guidance of the lead arborist.
- Maintained safety standards by following proper pruning, cabling, and staking techniques to reduce risk of injury or damage.
- Used chainsaws, hand saws, and extended pole saws to assist in proper pruning technique of trees.
- Performed tree pruning, watering, fertilizing, planting, wood chipping, and IPM according to assignment needs and best industry practices.
- Increased productivity by maintaining tools and equipment in optimal working condition through regular inspections and maintenance.
- Introduced to tree climbing techniques and operation of the bucket truck aerial lift to prune trees over 50 feet tall.
Food Forest Maintenance Coordinator
Boston Food Forest Coalition
01.2023 - 04.2024
- Monitored maintenance and landscaping priorities and liaised between stewardship teams and BFFC staff.
- Managed subcontractor relationships for timely delivery of parts and installation projects, ensuring smooth construction across all 10 sites simultaneously
- Ensured effective tracking of progress of hardscape quality and ecological health over time through detailed record-keeping and budgeting.
- Provided technical support and facilitated workshops for food forest site growth and care needs, focusing on permaculture-based solutions.
- Improved equipment usage by implementing preventive maintenance schedules and coordinating routine inspections of tools and BFFC truck.
Food Forest Builder
Boston Food Forest Coalition
06.2022 - 12.2022
- Trained new stewards, staff, and volunteers on regenerative agriculture care techniques, site regulations and safety protocols across 10 sites.
- Used variety of hand and power tools to complete tasks and cleaned and maintained tools, equipment and worksites.
- Taught volunteers how to safely use and maintain essential gardening tools
- Provided labor support to carpenters, masons and urban growers.
- Built 13 new ADA accessible garden beds, and attended to gazebo repairs at Ellington Garden.
- Installed a 150 ft. ADA accessible walkway, rain catch irrigation system, and over 25 new fruit trees with companion plant guilds at Edgewater Food Forest.
- Created a seasonal care list that embodies all the routine and essential tasks that need to occur to support an ecologically healthy space year-round.
Site Supervisor Intern
Queens Botanical Garden
01.2022 - 05.2022
- 27 interns across three cohorts: maintenance, horticulture, and compost, employed through the City Cleanup Corps Program
- Collaborated with sponsored group from the Jewish Community Center of Coney Island, to develop comprehensive plans that met program specifications and intern wellbeing.
- Maintained and submitted accurate records of project reports, timesheets, check-ins, payroll, and other relevant information.
- Contributed to successful project completions by effectively coordinating all aspects of the projects process from start to finish with intern groups and their QBG department supervisors
- Resolved conflicts between team members quickly and diplomatically, promoting a harmonious work environment conducive to productivity and equality.
- Facilitated check-ins with interns to ensure that their career development goals are being met, a wellness check, and to provide constructive feedback on their performance.
Food & Nourishment AmeriCorps Project Leader
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
03.2021 - 11.2021
- Developed and implemented farm-to-table recipes and dishes to prepare with produce, eggs, and meat grown on the farm.
- Planned out and executed recipes to prepare and serve farm team members.
- Managed a kitchen crew of 4 people daily to prepare a farm-to-table lunch for all 50 youth farm workers for eight weeks.
- Collaborated with team members to develop, identify and process harvested produce to be preserved through the winter months.
- Successfully led multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a focus on farming priorities, resource allocation, and overall strategic objectives.
- Developed and implemented a pantry inventory and budget for the entire season.
- Assisted farm team in seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and post-harvest washing of all produce for a 450 household CSA.
- Rotated with other on-site farm staff on daily and weekend chores for the farmstand, pigs, laying hens, and broiler chickens.
- Assisted in processing of chickens and pigs for the CSA on site.
Tree Maintenance Care Intern
Queens Botanical Garden
06.2020 - 12.2020
- Supported staff members in their horticulture daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments.
- Gained valuable experience working within urban arboriculture, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations to care for over 80 trees on site.
- Gained hands-on experience in reduction pruning, building tree pits to protect root zones, and applying a variety of soil amendments and IPM assessments.
- Conducted IPM research, leading to well-informed decisions and successful outcomes for diseased trees.
- Streamlined data entry processes and accessioning trees not logged into the QBG system.
- Led a team of high school students to complete key projects and tasks, while mentoring their growth in conservation work.
- Prepared project presentation of work completed and reported to assist senior staff and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
SUNY At Binghamton
Binghamton, NY05-2020
Skills
- Certified Permaculture Designer (2023)
- Urban forestry
- Chainsaw operation
- Beginner Aerial lift operation
- Pruning techniques
- Wood chipper operation
- Beginner Tree Climbing
- Groundskeeping
- Basic carpentry
- Composting methods
- Greenhouse work
- Front-end loader implement & tractor operation
Timeline
Arborist Apprentice
Mount Auburn Cemetery
05.2024 - Current
Food Forest Maintenance Coordinator
Boston Food Forest Coalition
01.2023 - 04.2024
Food Forest Builder
Boston Food Forest Coalition
06.2022 - 12.2022
Site Supervisor Intern
Queens Botanical Garden
01.2022 - 05.2022
Food & Nourishment AmeriCorps Project Leader
Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
03.2021 - 11.2021
Tree Maintenance Care Intern
Queens Botanical Garden
06.2020 - 12.2020
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
SUNY At Binghamton
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