Join us for the UCFS Learning Series!
The Citizen’s Coolkit: New tools, processes, and career pathways for engaging communities in greening/tree-planting on private land
Many communities in North America have yet to develop resilient neighbourhoods that meet canopy and climate targets. This learning session introduces a novel process for implementing local nature-based climate solutions, using the powerful Citizen’s Coolkit to motivate collective grassroots action on private land that is difficult for municipalities to influence and regulate.
The Coolkit program seeks to activate micro-neighbourhoods where residents care the most and can take practical collective action on tree planting and stewardship, in alignment with local policies and staff. The Coolkit is an attractive, customizable DIY resource which provides fun ‘hands-on’ activities and low-barrier visual learning tools to build capacity and guide local climate action. It follows a simple five-step process, which includes structured neighbourhood walks, mapping local vulnerabilities & assets, collective visioning of climate solutions on your block, leading to practical local climate action plans. The webinar will explain how a series of workshops empowers residents to become local climate champions, with municipal support, for positive action such as tree planting, rewilding and stewarding boulevards, food forests, raingardens etc.
Evaluation results will be shared from testing of this process in diverse neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver and other Canadian communities, where it has been well received by residents of many cultures and all age groups, including disadvantaged communities in low-canopy neighbourhoods.
The webinar discusses how such programs can be scaled and customized by other municipalities to help meet high-level targets on the ground and implemented through new professional development opportunities such as a train-the-trainer Micro-certificate in Climate Action and Community Engagement and online degree programs such as UBC’s Master of Urban Forestry Leadership.
Learning Objectives:
Speakers for this event are:
ISA CEUs have been applied for and are pending.
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.
