Annual UCFS Conference and Tradeshow

Henderson, Nevada | November 17-18, 2025

Join us for THE conference for urban and community forestry professionals!

Each year, the Urban and Community Forestry Society hosts a conference and tradeshow. This exciting event brings together members and non-members alike to network, learn, and knowledge share. Presentations from experts in the field, city tours, networking receptions, and more make this a can’t miss event! At the conference, you’ll:

  • Learn from real world case studies of urban and community forestry in action
  • Engage in knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning
  • Be with your tree people who understand the challenges and triumphs of being an urban or community forester

When

November 17-18, 2025

Registration

Where

Program

Agenda to come!

We’re putting the final touches on the program now. Read below for highlights.

Plan to join us from November 17-18, 2025 for the annual Urban and Community Forestry Society Tradeshow and Conference! It’s a great opportunity to network with and learn from fellow urban foresters who make daily tree planting and care decisions! 

UCFS’s conference will be followed by the Partners in Community Forestry conference from November 19-20, 2025. Stay for the full week of learning!

ISA CEUs will be available for the attendees. 

Program

The Urban and Community Forestry Society’s (UCFS) 59th Annual International Conference and Trade Show will be held on November 17 and 18, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. The UCFS Annual Conference brings together the frontline, boots-on-the-ground urban and community forestry professionals who are charged with making daily tree stewardship decisions in communities across the world.

This year’s theme is What works (and What Doesn’t) in Urban Forestry. We will share presentations that focus on actionable strategies and innovative approaches to urban and community forestry. Urban foresters operate at the intersection of multiple disciplines, blending science, policy, management, and community engagement to create sustainable and thriving urban forests. With ever-expanding responsibilities and limited time, urban forestry professionals need practical, real-world solutions that can be implemented effectively to address today’s challenges.  

Presentations will provide evidence-based techniques, emerging best practices, and forward-thinking approaches that will empower urban foresters to make an immediate and lasting impact in their communities. 

Presentations will explore topics such as: 

  • Vision to Action: How strategic plans or master planning efforts were successfully implemented.
  • Innovative Community Engagement: Creative approaches that lead to policy changes, neighborhood involvement, or new ways of thinking.
  • Lessons from the Unexpected: Projects that didn’t go as planned and how urban forestry programs adapted.
  • Building Stronger Partnerships: How municipalities and non-profits are collaborating to expand capacity and advance urban forestry goals.
  • Operations & Best Practices: Practical, specific how-to guidance for running urban forestry programs efficiently and effectively.
  • Resilience & Adaptation: Stories of overcoming challenges and learning from mistakes.

 

The full agenda will be posted soon. Check back soon!

A summary of events can be found below. Click on the button to see a full outline of the UCFS conference program!

  • Monday, November 17
    • Tour of City of Henderson forestry – optional pre-conference tour held in the afternoon
    • UCFS Fun Run and Walk
    • Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) Reunion
    • Start of Tradeshow and Exhibit Hall
  • Tuesday, November 18
    • Full day conference starting at 8am
    • Annual UCFS Member Meeting – held after the conference ends
    • Tradeshow and Exhibit Hall open all day

Pre-Conference Activities - Monday, November 17

Pre-Conference Bus Tour: Climate Resilience Through Smarter Landscapes

Join UCFS for a custom tour designed to showcase the best of Henderson city forestry.
In a city that receives only three inches of rain per year, forestry has to be smart with water. Join us for lessons we can all learn to use resources wisely in a changing climate.
Read More Here

UCFS Fun Run, Walk, or Watch

Help raise money for UCFS’s Urban Forest Foundation
Get out and stretch your legs while helping us raise money for a good cause! The annual UCFS Fun Run/Walk will be held on Monday, November 17. Proceeds support scholarships for MFI and other UCFS programming. Registered participants also received a t-shirt!

Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) Reunion

Hey, MFI grads! Catch up with your friends and invite someone who might be interested in attending MFI in the future.
Recapture the "MFI High" when you join fellow graduates from your class and others. Location to be announced.

Full Conference - Tuesday, November 18

After the pre-conference activities on November 17, we’ll jump into a full day of educational and informative presentations from urban and community foresters from across the country. The full agenda is coming very soon. In the meantime, get a feel of our conference with the 2024 conference agenda!

Exhibitors and Tradeshow

Exhibit at the premier urban forestry conferences and reach two audiences in one location! 

UCFS and the Arbor Day Foundation are excited to invite you to showcase your products and services at the annual Urban and Community Forestry Society Conference and Partners in Community Forestry Conference, held back-to-back in Henderson, Nevada.

By exhibiting at these conferences, you will have the unique opportunity to connect with two distinct but related audiences in one place. With an estimated 750 plus attendees over the 3 days, this is a can’t-miss event for any organization in the urban forestry industry.

Why Exhibit?

  •  Double the Exposure: Engage with attendees from both conferences, maximizing your reach and impact.
  • Targeted Audience: Our attendees manage urban trees, with over 60% involved in tree planting, maintenance, community and youth education, job training, or workforce development.
  • Diverse Roles: Connect with professionals across urban forestry and related fields, including 30% in urban forest management.
  • Purchasing Power: The majority of attendees plan to purchase trees and tree care tools within the next 18 months.
  • Key Sectors: 76% of our audience represents state, local, or federal government and non-profit sectors.

 

What’s Included:

  • One Tabletop Exhibit Space
  • One Complimentary Registration to both Conferences
  • Access to the Conference Attendee List

 

Additionally, to maximize your exposure, each attendee will receive a bingo card featuring your organization’s name. Attendees who complete the card will win a prize, ensuring more interaction and engagement with your booth. We look forward to seeing you in Henderson!

Registration is $1,350. Find out more and reserve your space!

2025 UCFS Pre-Conference Tour

Climate Resilience Through Smarter Landscapes

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:

  • Practical tips for managing urban forests with less water
  • Strategies for working across departments and building collaborative teams
  • Lessons from real-world partnerships with nonprofits, utilities, and the public
  • Inspiration to rethink green infrastructure in your community

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.