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 […]
This event is only open to MFI alumni. Reconnect, recharge, and continue your leadership journey with fellow MFI alumni during this interactive virtual open house. This is not a webinar! It is designed as space to share successes, discuss challenges, and exchange practical strategies for leading people, projects, and programs in today's evolving urban forestry landscape. Through […]
Professional certifications and qualifications are more than letters after your name—they demonstrate expertise, build credibility, validate competencies, and signal a commitment to professional excellence. As urban forestry programs face increasing demands and expectations, specialized credentials can advance careers while helping organizations build a skilled, knowledgeable, and resilient workforce. Join us for an engaging webinar that […]
Let's get to know each other! Join UCFS members and non-members for a meet-up in Washington, DC to socialize and learn from your peers. Fill out the registration form below and use the calendar button to add the event to your calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!
This is the first of a three-part series. Thank you to Dudek for supporting this Wildfire and the Urban Forest series. As wildfire impacts continue to grow across communities, arborists and urban foresters are increasingly called upon to assess, reduce, and communicate wildfire risk. In this introductory session of the Wildfire and the Urban Forest series, we will […]
This is the second webinar in this three-part series. Thank you to Dudek for their sponsorship! Urban wildfire resilience isn't created from a single plan—it emerges from a connected system of codes, maps, policies, and partnerships that help communities understand risk and take meaningful action. For urban foresters, these tools are increasingly important for protecting […]
Your community is doing great urban forestry work. Showcase your program to your community and a global audience of practitioners! Join UCFS for an inside look at the fully launched UCFS Accreditation Program—an exciting opportunity for communities to demonstrate excellence, strengthen their urban forestry programs, and gain recognition for the work they do every day 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.
