Sustainability Planning Division’s Magen Shaw Receives Award

05/17/24

Magen Shaw, Urban Forestry Coordinator in the County’s Planning & Development Services, Sustainability Planning Division, received the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture’s (WCISA) Young Professional Award on April 30, 2024, at the WCISA’s 90th Anniversary Conference.

This award is given to one or two individuals who have been an International Society of Arboriculture credential holder for less than ten years and recognizes outstanding efforts that advance the principles of the WCISA. 

Magen was nominated by her WCISA colleagues to receive the award. In that nomination, she was lauded for her accomplishments:

Magen Shaw Receives Award


Magen has been a certified arborist since 2015 and obtained the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification in 2017. Magen’s holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental science with a strong emphasis on natural resource management and environmental restoration. In recent years, she has helped shape San Diego urban forests through various means, including sitting on the board of the California Urban Forests Council, chairing the San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council and participating on the City of San Diego’s Forestry Advisory Board. Magen served as the Horticulturist and Arborist of Balboa Park from 2017 to 2023, during which she oversaw the planting of over 700 trees, the implementation of the Tree Steward Program, Trees to Treasures Program, Arbor Day SD, as well as urban forestry training programs for City employees. Magen also helped to develop the Tree Care for Birds and Wildlife Program, which establishes best management practices for tree work in areas that have high-value habitat.

Magen’s work with the Sustainability Planning Division includes realizing the development and implementation of the County’s Native Landscaping Program and Equity Driven Tree Planting Program. We’re so happy to have Magen on the team and applaud her well-deserved award!