Concentration in Urban and Community Forestry

Forestry in cities?—not as strange as it sounds. Urban and Community Forestry, which is about the stewardship of natural resources in the towns and cities where people live, work and play, is actually an exciting career choice. The urban tree and forest resource contributes significantly to energy savings, water and air quality, the economy, social conditions, wildlife habitat, and visual appeal. But because trees and people strongly interact, the urban forest needs to be managed. Key management issues include tree maintenance and health, insects and diseases, damage from storms and people, and use of urban wood, and they require trained forestry professionals to work with homeowners, local tree boards, government agencies, and community groups to assure that the urban forest is attractive and thriving.

Employment in Urban and Community Forestry is diverse and well paying.  Most cities, towns, or municipalities hire foresters to manage their street trees and natural areas. Many opportunities also exist in state and federal urban and community forestry programs, the educational outreach of the cooperative extension service, public and private utilities, tree care companies, and nongovernmental organizations. There also is the opportunity to have your own business as an urban and community consulting forester.

A successful urban and community forester is a person who understands and can work with people, communities, and government as well as trees and other urban natural resources. The Urban and Community Forestry concentration is designed to provide you with these skills through coursework in basic forestry skills such as woody plant identification, ecology, and forest measurements. In addition, students in this concentration take courses in tree care, public relations, public sector budgeting, community sociology, and policy to round out their skills.

Each year the Department of Forestry awards $40,000 to $60,000 in scholarships to students who have achieved academic excellence in their studies. Several of these scholarships are specifically targeted for students in the Urban and Community Forestry concentration.  Newly enrolled students in the department also may qualify for an up-front recruiting scholarship. A paid work study program is available in the department to offer students hands-on experience during their studies.  In addition, students can gain pre-professional employment experience through paid, career-related summer jobs or internships in public or private urban and community forestry programs.

Did you know that the trees that shade a house or building are a natural form of air conditioning and can contribute significantly to energy conservation?

Requirements for a concentration in
Urban and Community Forestry
(beyond university, college, and department core requirements)