Credentials are Important

Urban forestry is a growing field. Not only do we plant and grow trees in our increasingly urbanized nation, we are also charged with keeping vegetation healthy and safe. In fact, the burdens of responsibility placed on every employee and volunteer associated with urban forestry are growing every year as society becomes more safety-conscious and — when things go wrong — litigious. 

Certification and accreditation programs are one way to help prevent problems. The words stem from the Latin certificare and generally mean to attest authoritatively or to confirm that something is true or as represented. Sometimes the two words are used interchangeably, but it is more accurate to use “certification” when referring to individuals, or sometimes to a specific product, and “accreditation” when applying the concept to organizations such as schools, businesses, or departments. 

In this bulletin, some of the major opportunities available to individuals and communities are outlined. These are opportunities to improve, raise the bar of professionalism at all levels, and provide residents with assurance that their trees, waterways, and public lands are in good hands — that they are taken seriously and managed professionally.