Promote and improve the practice of professional municipal arboriculture.
Promote public awareness of the beautification of urban areas through proper arboricultural practices.
Recommend and uphold a Code of Ethics.
Initiate and support scientific investigation of problems concerned with municipal arboriculture.
Stimulate greater interest in the planting and presentation of shade trees and landscape plants.
Sponsor an annual meeting and trade show devoted to the presentation and exchange of information of value to arboriculture.
Founded in 1964 as the Society of Municipal Arborists, the UCFS is an organization of municipal arborists and urban foresters. Our membership also includes commercial firms, nonprofits, tree boards, tree wardens, allied professionals, and citizens who actively practice or support some facet of municipal forestry.
A professional affiliate of the International Society of Arboriculture, the UCFS has members from across North America and beyond. Through our magazine, City Trees, our conferences, our website and our many active members, we strive to create networking and educational opportunities that promote the sound, professional management of a vital and invaluable resource.
UCFS committees are of vital importance to the work of the organization. Each committee helps UCFS advance its mission of building the confidence, competence, and camaraderie for all urban forestry and municipal arboriculture professionals. Members are invited to serve on committees. If you have interest in serving on any of these committees, please fill out the Committee Interest Form.
The committee’s mission is to engage young and emerging professionals age 35 and under. UCFS has a large student membership-base and the organization has a goal to grow the next generation of urban foresters, this committee will allow UCFS to hear and learn from the leaders of tomorrow.
The goals of this committee are to advise on and monitor the trends impacting the urban forestry and municipal arboriculture profession. It serves as a sounding board for the UCFS staff to help provide guidance when asked about membership’s stance on certain issues. The committee can provide guidance on any number of things such as BMPs, standards, strategic partnerships, etc. Effort is taken to recruit people from various populations, regions, etc. so that broad member representation is maintained.
The primary mission of the Professional Development committee is to ensure individual UCFS members have the support they need plus pushing the individual to grow to new heights. This group brings together existing committees and programs of Arborist Exchange, Mentoring, MFI, the UCFS Learning Series. The committee supports and pushes for more people to achieve the ISA Municipal Specialist certification and overall support professional certification.
The Outreach committee takes a marketing focus to their work. Committee members work to build and promote the UCFS organization and the resources the organization offers to the profession and professionals. This committee advises on the membership structure, supports and welcomes new members, supports the annual UCFS award process, and any other efforts that would support the recruitment of new members and support current members.
Compile library of industry standards, solicit member feedback, promote and evaluate.
ANSI A300 Rep – Gordon Mann, California
ANSI Z133 Rep – Steven Traylor, Virginia
The conference committees’ goals are to develop and deliver the programming necessary for UCFS’s annual conference and tradeshow. The committee manages the timeline of events, establishes a conference theme, solicits presentations, supports exhibitors, the silent auction, and the Fun Run. They work with Outreach committee for the annual awards celebration.
Chair – Steve Harris, Syracuse, New York
The Nominations Committee follows the election schedule as laid out in UCFS’s bylaws, promotes the opportunity for UCFS Board service, and seeks nominees for open Board member positions and proposes a slate of candidates for President, Vice-President and Treasurer positions.
The Editorial Review Committee (ERC) is responsible for the content, tone, and approach of City Trees. ERC members vet story ideas, review content for accuracy, and provide their perspectives on if story ideas are inline with the goals of UCFS and City Trees. UCFS’s City Trees editor is in charge of working with the committee.
Chair – Allison Craig, Mississauga, Ontario
The Urban and Community Forestry Society is a 501(c)6 membership-based organization. The organization serves all professionals who manage trees in communities across the world. The following information is provided as an overview of the organization, its membership base, and more.
The UCFS bylaws outline how the organization operates including membership, meetings, the board of directors, officers, committees of the board, the role of the executive director, ethics, and more. Click the link below to download the UCFS bylaws. The UCFS bylaws were amended, voted on by membership, and effective as of January 1, 2023.
The Urban and Community Forestry Society and its members adhere to a Code of Ethics so that we might all promote the highest levels of professionalism within the organization and for the trees and people we serve. Click on the link below to read the UFCS Code of Ethics.
In early 2023, the UCFS Board of Directors and organizational staff developed a strategic plan intended to guide the organization over the next several years. Each goal and its subsequent operational steps are in service of UCFS members and, ultimately, designed to help elevate the work we do each day to grow and sustain more trees for livable communities.
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:
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.
