2026 UCFS Board of Directors Nominations
UCFS members are asked to submit nominations for the Board of Directors. Nominations close on September 1, 2026 at midnight Central Time.
UCFS members are asked to submit nominations for the Board of Directors. Nominations close on September 1, 2026 at midnight Central Time.
The Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) Board of Directors is seeking nominations to fill the following positions:
The UCFS Board represents the membership of the organization, charts the organization’s strategic direction, provides governance oversight, and ensures a strong financial position. Overall, the Board works hard to deliver on the mission to grow the competence, confidence, and camaraderie of all professionals who grow and care for community forests.
As you think about nominating yourself or someone else, please take a look at:
Board members are charged with ensuring the organization meets the goals of the strategic plan, which are meant to help members learn and grow as professionals and to elevate both the awareness and practice of urban forestry as a profession. Board members must also affirm that they can meet all the responsibilities of a board member.
UCFS seeks to add geographic and demographic diversity to the board.
According to the UCFS Bylaws, to qualify for a Board position, the nominee must meet the following requirements. The UCFS Executive Director and Nominations Committee will verify that all nominees meet these requirements.
A member of the UCFS team will reach out to all nominees to discuss the organization’s strategic plan, the nominee’s willingness to serve, affirm that the nominee meets all requirements, and discuss any questions the nominee may have.
Ready to nominate yourself or another UCFS member? Click the button below to head over to the UCFS Member Hub, login with your member credentials, and complete the nomination form. Having trouble logging in? Reach out to Leslie Berckes at lberckes@ucfsociety.org for assistance.
The nomination form will close at midnight Central Time on September 1, 2026.
Monday, November 16 from 1:00-4:00pm
To join us, add the tour with your registration!
Before conference sessions begin, join fellow urban and community forestry professionals for a guided tour of St. Louis that explores the city’s urban forest through the lens of history, resilience, equity, and community investment. From iconic parks to neighborhoods experiencing both environmental challenges and revitalization, you’ll discover how planning decisions, natural disaster recovery, and community partnerships are shaping a healthier, more equitable future.
Our journey begins at Brickline Greenway near Energizer Park, where an ambitious green infrastructure vision is reconnecting neighborhoods and expanding access to greenspace. From there, we’ll travel through the iconic Forest Park to explore the legacy of one of America’s great urban parks and the stewardship practices that continue to make it a model for urban forestry and public space.
As we travel through St. Louis neighborhoods, we’ll view the city’s history through its trees. We will see firsthand how communities are restoring and reimagining their urban forests through community-driven initiatives that are reversing damage from recent devastating tornado and the legacy of historic redlining and its influence on tree canopy distribution.
Along the way, we’ll stop at O’Fallon Park to explore ongoing restoration and neighborhood revitalization efforts before concluding at Kiener Plaza Park, where thoughtful landscape design and thriving urban greenspace showcase the power of trees to create welcoming, resilient downtown environments.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see examples of these critical urban forestry practices:
More than a sightseeing tour, this is an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, exchange ideas, and connect with colleagues who share a passion for building stronger urban forests. Come see St. Louis through a new lens and leave inspired with innovative ideas and practical insights.
Special Guests:
We’ll be joined on the tour by guest speakers from the City of St. Louis Forestry, Great Rivers Greenway, and Forest ReLeaf who will share insider perspectives on organizational collaboration.