Webinar: Evolution of Integrated Vegetation Management

Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) has evolved from a primarily clearance-focused maintenance practice into a science-based approach that supports system reliability, safety, and environmental stewardship.

Join Anne Beard of Filsinger Energy Partners as she explores the evolution of IVM in the electric utility industry. Drawing on more than 50 years of utility vegetation management research, Rights-of-Way Symposium proceedings, and industry experience, this webinar will examine key lessons from decades of research, the influence of regulatory and technological advancements, and the growing role of data-driven decision-making in modern vegetation management programs.

Participants will gain insight into the historical foundations of IVM, emerging technologies such as LiDAR and remote sensing, and the enduring principles that continue to guide effective vegetation management today.

Topics will include:

• Introduction to IVM and Utility Vegetation Management (UVM)
• Historical context and evolution of vegetation management practices
• What has changed, and what has remained the same, over the past 50 years
• Key findings and lessons learned from long-term IVM research
• The role of drones, LiDAR, remote sensing, and other technologies in modern IVM programs
• The influence of regulatory changes on vegetation management strategies
• Data collection, monitoring standards, and performance measurement
• Future trends, challenges, and opportunities in Integrated Vegetation Management

This webinar is intended for utility vegetation management professionals, arborists, foresters, environmental specialists, asset managers, operations personnel, regulatory and compliance staff, utility planners, consultants, researchers, and others interested in the history, evolution, and future direction of integrated vegetation management in the electric utility industry.