Thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts – our Exclusive Learning Series Partner! From Crisis to Canopy: Lessons from Cedar Rapids’ Derecho Storm Recovery In August 2020, a powerful derecho—one of the most destructive windstorms in U.S. history—swept across Iowa and the Midwest, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Cedar Rapids, located in eastern Iowa, was hardest hit. In […]
Mark your calendars for the Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) 2026! Applications to apply for MFI will open on August 1, 2025 and accepted applicants will be notified by mid-November 2025. Watch the MFI page for more details.
UCFS and LGBTree invite you to a social and meet-up in Chicago! We have so many wonderful members and friends in the area, we'd love to get together for some socializing! Date: March 13th Time: 3pm-5pm CST Location: Catalpa Plaza, across street from Pizza Lobo 5457 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 Description: Educational event showing off local tree projects […]
Thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts – our Exclusive Learning Series Partner! Urban forest ordinances aren’t just technical paperwork—they’re the legal backbone that shapes planning, management, and long-term program success. Join UCFS for a dynamic workshop that demystifies ordinance language and gives you the tools you need to shape resilient, future-ready tree care policy. Demystifying Urban Forest Ordinances […]
Thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts – our Exclusive Learning Series Partner! Tree inventories are far more than a catalog of species, size, condition, and location—they are dynamic management tools that can drive smarter decisions, streamline daily operations, and strengthen long-term urban forest management. In Unlocking the Power of Tree Inventory Data, we pull back the curtain on one […]
This is the first in our three-part Career Compass series. The first five years of our careers rarely unfold the way we expect—and that’s not a setback, it’s an opportunity. Join us for an energizing, peer-driven session that reframes the early career phase as a time of exploration and strategic positioning, helping you move forward […]
Are you ready to take the next step and become an ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional - but need help preparing for the exam? UCFS has you covered! Starting in May, we’ll host a five-part study group where you can connect with peers, learn from experienced urban foresters, and have access to a curated study […]
Thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts – our Exclusive Learning Series Partner! Community engagement is often treated as a supporting activity—but what if it were recognized as a core leadership function? In this dynamic Learning Series session, we will explore how to elevate engagement from a checklist of outreach tasks to a leadership-centered framework that informs strategic planning, […]
This event is being posted on behalf of UCFS's partner the Urban Wood Network (UWN). What: Municipal urban wood programs are a cornerstone of the urban wood industry. Across the country, cities have built partnerships with local urban wood processors. At this educational webinar, audience members will learn about Harrisonburg, Virginia urban wood projects and collaborations […]
Dead, dying, and decaying trees are usually seen as urban forestry liabilities—but they are also some of the most valuable wildlife habitats in our cities. Join us for Giving Trees a Second Life: Managing Urban Habitat Trees to explore how habitat trees support biodiversity and provide critical shelter and food sources for urban wildlife. From legacy trees […]
Celebrate Pride with LGBTree! Please join LGBTree, a UCFS Affinity Group, for a virtual social. Guest speakers will share their experiences and how queerness has shaped them personally and professionally. This will be a time to listen, reflect, share, and socialize with your tree friends who self-identify as LGBTQIA+. There will be an opportunity to […]
Stepping into leadership for the first time can feel exciting, overwhelming, and unexpectedly complex—especially when yesterday’s peers become today’s direct reports. Join this interactive webinar designed for new urban forestry managers and accidental leaders where we will tackle the real-world challenges of leading people, creating accountability, and uplifting team morale. Through practical strategies and honest discussion, we’ll explore how to […]
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.
