Urban and Community Forestry Society

^{Rachel Habig-Myers, Urban Forester, Fairfax County and UCFS Board of Directors President}

^{Leslie Berckes, Executive Director, Urban and Community Forestry Society}

The City of Chicago was experiencing an 11-year consecutive decline in its street tree population on top of losses in personnel and institutional knowledge, decreases in tree planting, and multi-year delays in pruning and tree removal. However, the convergence of a US Forest Service Resiliency grant to conduct a random sample tree inventory and develop an urban forest management plan, a new Urban Forestry Advisory Board, and a Bloomberg Associates-funded tree planting tool developed with the Department of Public Health came together to stabilize the city’s tree canopy. Learn how the Bureau of Forestry is navigating these issues to grow healthy trees for the Windy City. 

This presentation highlights the transformative power of community engagement in shaping resilient urban forests in Seattle. By fostering partnerships with advocacy groups, nonprofits, educational institutions, and Indigenous communities, the city has created vibrant green spaces benefiting both people and the environment. Drawing from real-world experiences, strategies for community involvement in tree initiatives will be shared.

Baltimore TreeKeepers is a free, city-run program that trains residents in proper tree planting, pruning, and best care practices. Since its founding in 2013, over a thousand residents have participated in the classes! Certified TreeKeepers are authorized to plant and/or prune in the city right-of-way and lead volunteer events of their own. In this presentation, leaders from TreeBaltimore will explain how this municipally-led tree stewardship program has been integrated into citywide planting and young tree maintenance goals while improving community engagement and interagency cooperation.

Introducing the new Tree Equity Handbook, a free resource with interactive forms that help practitioners build an equity-focused urban forestry program! Learn how to use the tool to assess program needs, recruit the right coalition, and strategically plan using equity-oriented data.

Tree equity can be used to prioritize tree maintenance and not just to prioritize tree planting. The Village of Oak Park, Illinois implemented a root collar excavation program to grow the canopy and extend the life of existing parkway trees. Urban heat island maps were used to prioritize tree care work on approximately 230 trees—with little resident push-back and ultimately big benefits to the trees’ long-term health.

From big cities to faith-based organizations, Hispanic Access Foundation aims to increase equitable access to urban tree canopy while increasing community engagement and decision-making in local urban forestry in disadvantaged communities. Learn about real-world case studies and specific community engagement tips like hosting an event for Latino Conservation Week.

Location: Red Lacquer

UCFS Annual Awards Ceremony

Rachel Habig-Myers, Urban Forester, Fairfax County and UCFS Board of Directors President

Urban Forestry Credentialing

Caitlyn Polihan, CEP and Executive Director, International Society of Arboriculture 

LGBTree Affnity Group Welcome

Alex Grieve, Forest Health Specialist and Outreach Coordinator, Urban Forestry Division Washington, DC

Madeleine Rauhe, Urban Forest Supervisor, City of Santa Monica, California

Arkansas's Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program, in existence for over 20 years, addresses the dual goal of educating youth about the benefits of trees and decreasing the risk of adult skin cancer by providing shade trees for playgrounds and outdoor learning areas across the state. This presentation will explain the program, provide tips urban foresters can use to begin similar collaborations with schools and child care facilities in their areas, and share success stories achieved through the program.

As an emerging profession, urban forestry is increasingly being taught across the world with few opportunities for discussion of what the profession encompasses, especially for urban forestry students. University of British Columbia convened a group of urban forestry educators from across the world to discuss competencies and learning outcomes that all urban forestry students should be taught. The presentation will discuss the results of the collaborative study and make suggestions for how tenured urban forestry educators and professionals can work together to support young people as they leave school and enter “the real world.”

An unlikely collaboration of an affordable rental housing non-profit, 22 small municipalities, and the Missouri Department of Conservation has resulted in healthier canopy for a historically-disinvested region in north Saint Louis County, Missouri through the Beyond Housing initiative. Not every municipality can afford to have a staff arborist, so Beyond Housing brings together community foresters to provide services such as hazardous tree mitigation, no-cost tree planting events, educational opportunities for students, and safety training for public works staff. Learn how this unique collaboration came together.

What significance does a tree hold in the desert? In Tucson, shade provided by trees extends beyond beauty; it ensures safe passage for children walking to school, offers shelter to wildlife like bobcats, and can be a matter of life or death in extreme heat. "Shade Equity in the Desert" will delve into the practicalities of establishing Tucson's Urban Forestry Program while highlighting the transformative impact such initiatives can have in a city with glaring disparities in tree distribution.

Explore South Carolina's pioneering Statewide Green Infrastructure (GI) Plan, a collaborative effort mapping core habitats and connectivity corridors. Learn how stakeholder engagement and strategic planning tackle land conversion threats, enhance landscape resilience, and drive sustainable growth. Discover real-world integration in projects across the state for tangible conservation outcomes.

One year ago, the Philly Tree Plan—a comprehensive, 10-year strategic plan for Philadelphia’s trees— was released. With the plan in motion, the City achieved an early goal by hiring Philadelphia’s first City Forester to lead the Urban Forestry Unit. With new leadership in place and a guiding vision, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s TreePhilly program can work to expand its scope and impact as the City's comprehensive Community Forestry program. Hear highlights of the plan and how the City intends to implement its key objectives. 

Tribal forestry and communities are an integral component of land management, yet historically and currently there is little precedent for centering these communities with meaningful and explicit engagement. In 2023, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) was awarded $10M of Inflation Reduction Act funds from the U.S. Forest Service to establish a unique urban and community forestry grant program exclusively for the nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon. ODF will share experiences in intentional Tribal engagement including successes, limitations, and growth opportunities.

^{Rachel Habig-Myers, Urban Forester, Fairfax County and UCFS Board of Directors President}

^{Location: State Ballroom}

^{Rachel Habig-Myers, Urban Forester, Fairfax County and UCFS Board of Directors President}

Urban and Community Forestry Society members are invited to the annual meeting of members. Hear from Society leadership on the status of the organization, new initiatives, and the long-term strategic direction. Members will also have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues that are of importance to them.

Mix and mingle with your tree people!