Arborist Consultation and GASWCC Level 1A (Blue Card) and Level 1B (Red Card) Certification located in Northwest Georgia.

Check Dates and Locations
for Erosion Control Certification
Course Applications

Level 1A and 1B Workshops and Exams

Anyone involved in land development, design, review, permitting, construction, monitoring, inspection, or any land-disturbing activity in Georgia must meet education requirements and be certified by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GASWCC) program.

Per Georgia state law, land-disturbance activity (LDA) is defined as any activity which may result in soil erosion and the movement of sediments into State waters or onto lands within the State, including but not limited to clearing, dredging, grading, excavating, transporting, and filling of land.

Requirements for Level 1A Certification - "Certified Personnel"

The Level 1A Fundamentals Seminar is a one day course designed to train contractors, builders, developers, site superintendents, grading and utility contractors, and monitoring consultants in the proper installation, maintenance, and inspection of BMPs on construction sites.

Topics covered in this course are fundamentals of erosion and sediment control, the Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Act, NPDES Permits, field maintenance, stream buffers, vegetative and structural BMP practices.

You must register for and attend a Conservation Commission approved and posted "Fundamentals Seminar" (Level 1A)
You must submit the appropriate Level 1A Course Application.
Take and receive a passing score of 70% on the Level 1A certification exam.

Requirements for Level 1B Certification - "Certified Inspector"

The Level 1B Advanced Fundamentals Seminar is a two day course designed to train regulatory enforcement inspectors and non-regulatory personnel inspectors contracted to do regulatory work to accurately inspect land disturbance areas for compliance with state erosion and sedimentation laws. The course will cover several topics such as the role of the inspector, ES&PC planning and review, and local program overview criteria.

Must have completed 60 days work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control.
In lieu of 60 days work experience, you may obtain a Level 1A Certification.
You must register for and attend a Conservation Commission approved and posted "Advanced Fundamentals" Seminar.
You must submit the appropriate Level 1B Course Application.
Take and receive a passing score of 70% on a Level 1B certification exam.

Verification for Applicants Seeking to Obtain E&SC Certification

Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States State law requires the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GASWCC) obtain a signed and sworn affidavit verifying the applicant's lawful presence in the United States. This document is to be accompanied by a copy of at least one secure and verifiable document for all individuals seeking certification for land disturbing activities.

Documentation Required GASWCC will require all individuals to submit a Checklist for Verification of Lawful Presence within the United States (checklist), along with one of three different affidavits from which the applicant must choose. This will provide the basis for his or her lawful presence in the United States and a legible photocopy of one of the 16 secure and verifiable documents listed as defined by O.C.G.A. § 50-36-2.

Submitting the Documentation Documentation may be submitted to the Commission via mail, prior to attending a course or at the certification course. All GASWCC Approved Trainers will be Public Notaries.

An individual may attend a certification course prior to having their citizenship verified. However, in the event that citizenship cannot be verified, the individual must understand that certification/re-certification will not be granted and the course fee will not be refunded.

Erosion Control Certification Workshop Locations

Important: All applicants must provide proof of citizenship or residence.

Level 1A (Blue Card)

Level 1A Workshops will be held with a minimum of 10 participants.
Payment for the 1-day workshop is $225.00.
Level 1A notebook will be provided.
Snacks will be provided.
Course locations for 2026 are: Douglasville, Brookhaven, Calhoun

Level 1B (Red Card)

Level 1B Workshops will be held with a minimum of 10 participants.
Payment for the 2-day workshop is $275.00.
Level 1B notebook will be provided.
Lunch will be provided as well as snacks.
Course locations for 2026 are: Calhoun, Conyers, Kingsland, Lavonia

Please note: If payment has been made and the workshop is canceled by the Trainer (eg, for low attendance), the participant will be refunded in full. If the applicant has made full payment and the applicant cancels their attendance, then the applicant will receive a refund minus $25.00 to cover admin fees.

About Piedmont Arborist Consultant, LLC

Russell started Piedmont Arborist Consultant in 2018 and has expanded his service to include GASWCC Level 1A and 1B E&SC certification for city/county inspectors and tree removal companies whose work includes tree removal and protection on LDA permitted sites required under Georgia's Erosion and Sediment Control Law.

From 1998 to 2016 Russell was employed with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GASWCC) where he began as a Resource Specialist and rose to Regional Rep working with Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Southwest Georgia and metro Atlanta. As a Resource Specialist Russell assisted farmers in Southeast Georgia procuring and implementing conservation grants and practices protecting water quality. His duties as Regional Rep included assisting Soil and Water Conservation Districts periodic review of local city and county governments erosion control (E&SC) programs. In metro Atlanta he coordinated with 7 Soil and Water Conservation Districts'to conduct overviews of over 50 city and county government's compliance with the state's erosion and sediment control law.

Russell served as DeKalb County Arborist in the Department of Planning & Sustainability's Land Development Section from 2016 to 2025. His duties included Tree Protection Plan reviews for projects requiring a Land-Disturbance and Building Permit. Russell oversaw compliance with the County's Tree Protection Ordinance including assistance to private property owners tree removal requests and guidance to Code Enforcement regarding tree removal violations pertaining to the Tree Ordinance.

As the County's Arborist Russell provided documents to assist developers, contractors and homeowners' compliance with the Tree Protection Ordinance. He provided assistance to land-developers compliance with the County's Tree Ordinance requirements towards tree preservation, protection and replacement including installation and maintenance of best management practices on construction sites. Russell initiated a monetary payment plan for the County's Tree Bank. In addition, he provided assistance to homeowners regarding their responsibility to provide duty of care to hazardous tree.

Prior to working for DeKalb County, Russell was Streets Division Supervisor with the City of Powder Springs, Cobb County, from 2012 to 2016. His duties in this position included compliance with Georgia's Erosion and Sediment Control Law for permitted sites in the city. It was at Powder Springs that Russell became a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

Russell has served as an elected Supervisor with the Rockdale County Soil and Water Conservation District (an elected state position) and served 2 years as Chairman. He currently serves on the Rockdale/DeKalb County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and served as Vice President and President. Russell has also served on the Board with the Georgia Arborist Association.

He currently holds or has held the following certifications:

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist, Municipal Specialist/Urban Forester, Board Certified Master Arborist, Tree Risk Assesment Qualified (TRAQ).
Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission (GASWCC) Level 1B Inspector and Level 1A & 1B Trainer, Level II Plan Reviewer.
Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Wood Chipper Specialist and Trainer and Certified Tree Care Safety Professional.
American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) Certified Tree Appraiser.

Russell's educational background includes a Bachelors of Science in Plant Biology from Valdosta State University, Water Planning and Policy studies at Albany State University and Environmental Engineering at Aalborg University Center Denmark.

Since retiring, Russell and his wife Pam are involved with 5 grandkids and their activities as well as volunteer service to Friends of Sloppy Floyd State Park and to the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Alliance.

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Russell Tonning
Piedmont Arborist Consultant LLC
124 Pine Street,
Trion, GA 30753