Meet Our Team
Our highly experienced staff is ready to serve all of your arboricultural needs.
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MERLIN SCHLUMBERGER
OWNER / ISA BOARD CERTIFIED MASTER ARBORIST / REGISTERED CONSULTING ARBORIST Merlin is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (WE-7670B), an ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor (TRAQ), a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA #687) through the American Society of Consulting Arborists, and a CA Licensed Contractor. Education plays a pivotal role in Merlin's approach, as he endeavors to empower clients with knowledge about proper tree care and maintenance. Alongside his professional endeavors, Merlin shares his expertise as an educator, teaching Arboriculture at Santa Rosa Junior College and conducting tree biology classes and workshops on grafting and pruning for industry professionals. Merlin holds a BA in Environmental Studies & Agroecology and Sociology from UCSC and a GIS certificate from Community College of San Francisco. His commitment to staying current in the field is evident through his participation in frequent professional development trainings, including FFT2 certification for prescribed burns. Merlin's love of trees developed as a child, growing up in a forested village in the French Alps. |
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NICOLE SCHLUMBERGER
OWNER / OPERATIONS In addition to managing business operations, Nicole works with clients to incorporate California native plants and encourage habitat & biodiversity within their landscapes. She specializes in California native plants and has worked as a botanist, wildland seed collector, and CA native plant propagator. She teaches as an associate faculty in the Agriculture and Natural Resources department at Santa Rosa Junior College, previously taught elementary and middle school science, and has developed environmental education curriculum and summer camps for schools. Nicole works to increase access to California native seeds through California Native Seed Project and collaborations with local groups. |
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SEAMUS QUINN
SENIOR ARBORIST Seamus is an ISA Certified Arborist (WE-11396A) and brings a wealth of expertise to our team with almost 20 years of experience in tree work, landscape installation and management, masonry, hardscapes, aquascapes and pond installation. Seamus is a skilled climber, and has a keen eye for tree structure and form. He has designed and installed landscapes including ornamental and productive food gardens and orchards with an emphasis on native plants and drought-tolerant water reclamation features. He is FFT2 certified to participate in prescribed burns. Seamus and Merlin both volunteer with the Bird Rescue Center to renest raptors after they have been rehabilitated. |
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KYLE DOWLING
ARBORIST Kyle is an ISA Certified Arborist (WE-14279A) and has worked with Merlin Arborist Group since 2019. He is a skilled climber, lift truck operator, and grounds crew member. His experience as an EMT helps keep our team safe and educated. He has past experience with landscaping and tree care and is FFT2 certified to participate in prescribed burns. In his spare time, you can find Kyle backpacking, pole fishing, crabbing, or taking pictures in nature! LUKE ARMSTRONG
ARBORIST Luke is an ISA Certified Arborist (WE-12616A). He is very interested in the relationship between fire ecology and tree care and the role of fire based vegetation management. Luke has participated in prescribed burns through "Fire Forward," the Wildland Firefighter II training, and holds a Natural Resources Management certification through SRJC. He also has experience with landscape maintenance and vegetable production. Luke works seasonally with Merlin Arborist Group to maintain orchards and trees around Sonoma County. HANNAH GEMRICH
GROUND CREW Hannah is a trained neuroscientist and biologist hailing from the great state of Wisconsin. She escaped the lab and San Francisco and is happily learning the habits of trees in West County. She has participated in prescribed burns through the SRJC’s Wildfire Resiliency Program and helped in riparian restoration on the Russian River. She is a gleeful gleaner and enjoys eating. MELISSA KANG
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR As the Administrative Coordinator, Melissa works to problem solve and create solutions for our clients and team. She coordinates all scheduling and client communications. Melissa is a former teacher and enjoys all things outdoors. Melissa has sought to deepen her understanding of the natural world through hiking, backpacking, gardening and volunteering with the Ceres Community Project. |
