Urban Forest Foundation

The future of our urban forests depends on the people who steward them.

That’s why we founded the Urban Forest Foundation.

Invest in the Future of Urban Forestry

The future of our urban forests depends on the people who care for them today.

The Urban Forest Foundation exists to elevate the urban forestry profession by supporting high-quality training, advancing technical knowledge, and expanding access to meaningful professional development.

Through UFF, we proudly fund scholarships for UCFS programs like the Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) and the Municipal Arborist Exchange Program, while also investing in new initiatives that prepare urban forestry professionals for the challenges ahead.

To strengthen and expand the impact of the Urban Forest Foundation (UFF), the Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) is partnering with TREE Fund to help guide strategic investment and long-term growth of UFF. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient foundation for urban forestry education and leadership.

Our top goal is to fully endow the Urban Forest Foundation. An endowed fund means that it lives long into the future, providing opportunities for urban foresters for many years to come.

Join us in our mission as together we invest in:

  • The next generation of urban forestry leaders
  • A stronger, future-ready profession
  • Healthier, more vibrant communities for generations to come

If urban forestry has shaped your career, this is your chance to give back.

Join us in supporting the people who plant, protect, and steward the trees in our communities. With your generosity, we can grow a brighter, healthier future—together.

Find out more by clicking the button below. The link will take you to our partners at the TREE Fund who we are working with to manage the UFF.

All of UFF’s activities serve two fundamental purposes

To promote the education of people who practice municipal arboriculture and manage the urban and community forests.

To promote public understanding of the value of urban trees.

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.