Have you hit a “road bump” since graduating from UCFS’s Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) or generally in your career? Or maybe you’re feeling “all alone” and need someone who understands the challenges unique to building a municipal urban forestry program? The Urban & Community Forestry Society Mentoring Program is here to help you!
The Mentoring Program is free, but you must be a UCFS member to apply and be accepted.
This structured program works to create leadership growth opportunities specifically for municipal forestry professionals. This program provides mutual benefits to mentors and mentees, with individuals both contributing to, and gaining from, the relationship.
UCFS is eager to grow and expand diversity in the urban forestry profession. The Mentoring Program is open to all, but we invite mentors and mentees of diverse backgrounds to apply. You may wish to be paired with someone of a similar background or lived experience and can indicate that on the application.
This program will serve to re-energize and motivate talented municipal and urban forest professionals in their careers, through helping mentees work towards attaining their future goals.
Importantly, the Mentoring Program will help to enhance leadership development for the mentees through the transfer of knowledge of the municipal forestry industry from more experienced mentors to less experienced mentees.
Through a spirit of two-way communication, participants will identify what they need out of the Mentoring Program.
Through regular, scheduled visits the mentee and mentors will pose questions to one another, and from their discussions, the mentee will gain a broader understanding of the importance of workplace culture in growing a career in the municipal forestry profession. The mentors may also use the mentoring program as a mechanism to broaden their succession planning processes and enhance their leadership skills through guiding emerging under-represented talent.
Pair UCFS members with their peers and industry professionals who can complement each other’s strengths and work together on areas of needed improvement.
Support emerging urban forestry professionals on their leadership journeys.
Engage MFI alumni who share a love for MFI and a vision to create the next generation of urban forestry leaders.
Develop career competencies amongst those participating.
Connect municipal forestry professionals with greater opportunities for career advancement and overall grow the urban forestry profession
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.
