The profession of urban forestry and municipal arboriculture is a rich and growing field. Furthering your education or acquiring a certification is a great way to grow your career and help you stand out. UCFS supports and encourages members and individuals entering the field of urban forestry and municipal arboriculture to grow their knowledge base. The following programs for certification and additional education offer a few places to start.
The ISA Certified Arborist designation sets you apart as someone with the commitment, dedication, and knowledge to succeed. It is ISA’s most popular credential. To earn an ISA Certified Arborist credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of arboriculture. ISA Certified Arborists must also adhere a Code of Ethics that strengthens the credibility and reliability of the workforce.
ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist credential holders are current ISA Certified Arborists® who have chosen municipal arboriculture or urban forestry as a career path. For this credential, you will be tested on the areas of public relations, administration, risk management, policy, and planning as they pertain to municipal arboriculture.
To be eligible for the exam, you must be an ISA Certified Arborist and have a minimum of three years of work experience managing the establishment and maintenance of urban trees.
Explore the various ways you can extend your urban forestry education with these university programs. UCFS will add to this list of educational offerings as we become aware of them.
Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. in Urban Forestry
Mater of Urban Forestry Leadership (Online) and Urban Forestry Undergraduate
Associate of Applied Science or a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Forestry and Arboriculture
Bachelor of Science in Forestry with Area of Emphasis in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry
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.
