Learning Opportunities in Urban Forestry

The keys to increasing capacity are adequate initial training and continuing education to grow and keep up with change. Both are increasingly important as the tools and knowledge base in urban forestry become ever more sophisticated. 

Opportunities to learn can range from interpersonal communication with an expert to attendance at professional conferences where hundreds of participants gather to hear from leading authorities.

Fortunately, there are abundant resources available for everyone involved in the planting and care of trees. This issue is devoted to making readers aware of some of these. At first we considered categorizing the opportunities by potential audience, e.g., volunteer tree planters/stewards, tree board members, professional staff, and commercial tree workers. However, we quickly realized that people in all of these categories have different levels of knowledge and different learning needs. So, we surveyed available resources and have displayed them by delivery method. In this way, you can consider the opportunities based not only on what is needed, but what best suits your preferred learning style or means of obtaining further education. 

One thing is true of every individual who loves trees and is working to enrich the world with more of them and to improve their care. Learning more about trees, tree care, and management skills is personally satisfying, opens the doors of opportunity, increases the ability to serve, and — ultimately — benefits communities of all sizes.