Urban Forestry 2020

Dr. Susan D. Day, Project Leader, Urban Forestry 2020Dept. Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, USA

Strategizing for the Future of the Urban Forestry Profession

Photo credit: P. Eric Wiseman

Why Urban Forests?

Build Stronger Communities and Promote Wellbeing

Allow Cities to Support the Global Ecosystem

Avoid C emissions from fossil fuels (and MANY other ES)

Protect Critical Life-Sustaining Environmental Resources

Critically Important for Society

But if we need urban forestry professionals…

Why is it difficult to recruit students into

Urban Forestry university programs?

Who Practices Urban Forestry?

• Urban foresters• Arborists-Certified Arborists• Certified Municipal

Specialists• City Horticulturists• “traditional” Foresters• Citizen groups and NGOs• Landscape Architects• Urban Planners• Ecologists• Geographers• Engineers

The SurveysJobs AnalysisEmployersUniversity StudentsAllied ProfessionalsNetworking & Career Path

The Surveys Jobs AnalysisEmployers

• Most employers do not anticipate much hiring over the next several years

• There are very few entry level jobs 7%, and these are filled by very experienced employees. Virtually no jobs available for new graduates.

• Postings did not accurately describe urban forestry duties

Healthy Profession Senior

Professionals

Mid-level Professiona

ls

Entry-level and Early Professionals

Urban Forestry is an Emerging Profession

Entry-level and Early Professionals—Largely MISSING

Mid-level Professiona

ls

Senior Professiona

ls

Professionals

Standards of Practice, Body of

Knowledge

Education, Research, Discovery

How is this network mediated?professional orgs, government,

institutions, others

How do we create a system of professional identity, support, and growth?

Water SustainabilitySoil

Livable

CitiesPublic Health

Policy

Global Environment

Urban Ecosystems

Photo: Cea+ (CC)

Building a Network Around Trees

Do you identify as an “urban forestry professional”?

Photo: Peter Nijenhuis (CC)

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going