UCFS Accreditation Council

Help raise the bar for urban forestry programs across the globe! 

Members of the Accreditation Council play a vital role in the UCFS Accreditation program by guiding the development of standards, mentoring and supporting communities, establishing program policies, and shaping the future of urban forestry.

UCFS is accepting applications to the Accreditation Council

UCFS Accreditation Council members hold a significant leadership position with the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact. Interested in being part of the Council? Find out more below and then fill out the application. 

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About the UCFS Accreditation Council

The Accreditation Council plays a vital role in strengthening the quality and integrity of the urban forestry community. By guiding and enhancing our Accreditation Program, council members help ensure that cities have the standards, support, and recognition they need to make their urban forestry program thrive. This council helps shape the future of our field—championing urban forestry excellence, maintaining accountability, and pushing for continuous improvement across urban forestry programs.

What does the Council do?

As part of the Accreditation Council, you’ll help lead a dynamic and impactful program that elevates the work of urban forestry across the globe. Council members have the opportunity to:

Shape the UCFS Urban Forestry Standards

  • Develop, refine, and uphold Accreditation Program policies and procedures
  • Review and update program standards to ensure they remain relevant, practical, and forward‑thinking


Guide Accreditation Decisions

  • Evaluate applications and determine accredited status based on established program criteria
  • Help maintain consistency, fairness, and excellence throughout the accreditation process


Advance Education & Learning

  • Support the creation of tools, resources, and training materials that strengthen understanding of accreditation standards
  • Help organizations grow by equipping them with clear guidance and best practices


Lead Continuous Improvement

  • Monitor the Accreditation Program’s effectiveness
  • Recommend updates and innovations to ensure UCFS Accreditation continues to meet its mission and serve the needs of the UCFS network

 

Council Function and Qualifications

Essential Council Member Functions

The Council is empowered to design, monitor, and promote the Accreditation Program. The Council must operate in accordance with approved operating procedures. Specifically, the duties and essential functions of the Council are to:

  1. Set policies for the Accreditation Program for urban forestry programs in cooperation with UCFS Staff;
  2. Develop, adopt, maintain, evaluate, and revise standards;
  3. Grant or deny accredited status in accordance with Accreditation Program policies;
  4. Facilitate the development of educational materials for the Accreditation program;
  5. Establish policies and procedures for the selection, training, and evaluation of volunteer personnel to conduct the Accreditation process;
  6. Prepare and provide an annual report to the UCFS Board of Directors, which includes an assessment of the activities of the past year, projections, and recommendations for the next year.


Qualifications

  • 10 years of experience working and leading urban forestry programs in a municipal or non-profit or academic setting where there was a direct connection with a city partner.
    • Five years of administrative experience preferred.
  • An identified area of expertise in the field of urban forestry or related discipline.
  • Working knowledge of the UCFS’s Accreditation standards
  • Ability to work constructively as a member of the Accreditation Council.
  • Willingness to become a member of UCFS
  • Able to volunteer the time needed to serve on the Council.
  • Ability to adhere to UCFS’s ethical guidelines and represent UCFS with integrity and professionalism.

Click below to read the full job description and to read the Accreditation Council Manual, which guides all work of the Council.

Accreditation Council Members

UCFS Staff

  • David Sivyer, UCFS Accreditation Manager

 

Council Members

  • Anna Heckman, Environmental Program Coordinator, City of Kirkland, Washington
  • Barry Edgar, Parks Administrator, Louisville, Kentucky Parks and Recreation: Urban Forestry
  • Darren Green, Landscape Architect, City of Alexandria, Louisiana 
  • Fred Chalfant, Urban Forester, TreeBaltimore, Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks: Forestry Division

 

2025 UCFS Pre-Conference Tour

Climate Resilience Through Smarter Landscapes

Monday, November 17 from 1:00-4:00pm

To join us, add the tour with your registration!

Join the Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) and the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation for a half-day bus tour exploring how urban forestry practices are evolving to meet the challenges of a hotter, drier climate. This tour is designed for practitioners, planners, and policymakers interested in practical, replicable strategies for building climate-resilient urban landscapes with limited water resources.

Throughout the tour, we’ll explore how cities can proactively adapt to aridification by redesigning public spaces, rethinking irrigation systems, and collaborating across departments and with community partners. Expect a balance of big-picture strategy and actionable detail.

Featured Tour Stops and Highlights:

🌿 Turf Removal & Tree Replacement at Community Parks
See how traditional grass lawns are being replaced with water-smart landscapes by the City of Henderson. At one park site, learn how a communication challenge over tree removals evolved into a model of public engagement, resulting in more—and better—trees planted with long-term resilience in mind.

🦉 Bird Preserve and Partnership with Audubon Society
Explore a vibrant bird preserve developed through a partnership between the City of Henderson and the local Audubon Society. Discover how external collaborations can unlock funding (including grants) and expand habitat while boosting urban canopy goals.

🚧 Street Diet and Green Infrastructure
Visit a transformed urban street where pavement removal made way for tree planting pits and green infrastructure. This site demonstrates how every tree in Henderson is planted with a sustainable irrigation plan—and how all cities can innovate in the right-of-way.

💧 Irrigation Systems & Incentive Programs
Get practical insights on installing and maintaining efficient irrigation systems in challenging settings. Learn how internal and external partnerships (including with the Southern Nevada Water Authority) are creating incentives that drive real change toward water-wise tree planting and landscaping.

What You’ll Take Home:

  • Practical tips for managing urban forests with less water
  • Strategies for working across departments and building collaborative teams
  • Lessons from real-world partnerships with nonprofits, utilities, and the public
  • Inspiration to rethink green infrastructure in your community

Special Guests:

We’ll be joined on the tour by guest speakers from the, local Audubon Society, City of Henderson Sustainability Office and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, who will share insider perspectives on interagency collaboration and the mechanics of water incentive programs.