The Urban and Community Forestry Society (UCFS) is excited to welcome future urban forestry leaders to attend the Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) 2025 in scenic Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley, California! MFI is the premier urban forestry training created by and for professionals who make daily tree planting and care decisions and for anyone who supports this important tree care work. MFI is not focused on the technical and science-based aspects of trees and arboriculture. Instead, the Institute focuses on the human dimensions of urban forestry, personal and professional development, and creating a network of professionals who know, understand, and support the advancement of urban forestry.
By registering, you’ll start your journey of personal and professional development, where the power of collaboration, networking, and mutual support will set the course for your urban forestry career advancement. Read below to find out more.
When: Sunday, February 23 through Friday, February 28, 2025
Where: Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley, California. Attendees traveling by air will fly into the San Jose, California International Airport. UCFS will arrange group bus transportation from the airport to the hotel.
Investment: $2,400 for UCFS members, $2,600 for non-members. Registration investment includes cutting-edge education, all course materials, five nights of lodging (Sunday through Thursday), all meals (Sunday dinner through Friday breakfast), and transportation from the San Jose airport. Participants are responsible for their own airfare.
Accommodations: Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley, California. Note that UCFS will handle all accommodations; participants will NOT make their own reservations.
Informational flier: Download this flier to share with your colleagues, supervisor, or anyone you think may be interested in MFI.
| Registration Opens | 8/1/2024 |
| Registration Closes | 10/1/2024 |
| Application Review Complete | 11/1/2024 |
| Notification of Application Status (acceptance, waitlist, or postponement) | 11/15/2024, at the latest |
| Pre-MFI Institute Begins (virtual) | TBD, but likely mid-January and continuing through February 2025 |
| Municipal Forestry Institute Held | February 23-28, 2025 |
The Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) registration begins at 4:00pm with the official start time of the Institute at 6:00pm on Sunday, February 23, 2025. MFI will conclude at 12:30pm on Friday, February 28, 2025. Full attendance is required.
Participants will pay for and make their own flight arrangements to arrive to the San Jose, California International Airport on Sunday, aiming for a morning or early afternoon arrival. UCFS will arrange group bus transportation from the San Jose airport to the hotel. Full details on this transfer will be provided to accepted attendees. Travel from the San Jose airport to the hotel is a little over 30 minutes.
Participants are welcomed to drive their own vehicle to the facility. Parking at the hotel is complimentary.
There are other airport options around Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley, and participants may choose to fly into these airports, but UCFS will ONLY provide transportation from the San Jose airport.
Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley is an ideal setting for you to step away from daily tasks so you can focus on your personal and professional growth. Located among redwood forests, you’ll have the opportunity to focus on your urban forestry goals while the tall trees inspire.
The Hilton Hotel, where the Institute is being held, offers a variety of room options, including ones with forests views (accepted attendees will be randomly assigned to rooms). The conference room where the training is held has large windows with views of the outside scenery. It will be tempting to want to walk right out the door and enjoy the majestic redwoods! With that in mind, know that MFI is an intensive, full week of learning and connecting. Breaks are built in, but if you want to do your own sightseeing, we recommend you do that before or after the Institute. Your full attendance is required, and no exceptions will be made. Because we want you to fully focus on your experience at MFI, pets, partners, dependents, or guests cannot be accommodated at MFI.
UCFS will make reservations for all attendees for the five nights of the Institute, so there is no need to contact the hotel directly. The negotiated room rate for this hotel can be extended one day before and after the Institute; you can let us know if this is something you desire.
Top photo: Hilton Hotel were MFI will be held
Bottom photo: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (tentative location for excursion during Institute)
To see a high-level overview of the topics and schedule at MFI 2025, click the button below.
UCFS will accommodate a variety of dietary needs. On your application form, please indicate any dietary needs you have.
UCFS will make reasonable accommodations for attendee learning needs. If you require a special accommodation for your learning needs, please indicate this on your application form.
The investment you’ll make in the Municipal Forestry Institute will be one that pays you back for years to come. From the network of peers you’ll connect with, to the education from experts in the field of urban forestry, to the inspiration you’ll feel, you’ll find the financial investment well worth it. Specifically, your financial investment includes:
Registration fees are $2,400 for UCFS members and $2,600 for non-members.
Payment is expected within four weeks of acceptance unless other arrangements have been made or you have communicated a reason for a delay to UCFS. You may pay by credit card or check. If your payment is not received within this time, and you have not communicated a reason why, UCFS may put your name on a waitlist and offer your seat to another applicant.
Please DO NOT make your travel arrangements until you have received an approval notification accepting you into the Institute. Successful applicants will be notified via email no later than 11/15/2024.
Participants are responsible for their own airfare.
UCFS is dedicated to ensuring urban forestry represents the people our work intends to serve. We are investing in leadership development of individuals who identify as a racial or ethnic minority and/or individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community. Scholarships are available to cover the cost of tuition plus a $500 travel stipend. Those who qualify and can benefit from the financial assistance can indicate their interest on the application form.
UCFS thanks the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service for their generous support of the MFI Diversity Scholarships!
Built by and for urban and community foresters, MFI Education Facilitators bring years of experience and knowledge as well as a range of perspectives. The Education Facilitator’s main goal is to help you feel confident and prepared to take on your urban forestry goals!
Registration for MFI 2025 closed on October 1, 2024. To be notified when MFI 2026 applications open, fill out the form below.
