Municipal Forestry Institute
The Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) is an exciting, high-level training opportunity educating professionals in the leadership and managerial aspects of urban forestry. This week-long intensive educational program delivers a challenging opportunity to learn how to grow more successful community tree programs. Attendees will master leadership and management tools of program administration, coalition building, strategic thinking, program planning, and public relations by investing a week in their personal growth and development. Why should you attend?
What to Expect The MFI instructional staff comes with decades of experience in all phases of urban forestry, at the municipal, state, federal, private, and non-profit levels. ![]()
The curriculum is presented in a variety of formats including lectures, multimedia presentations, panel discussions, group exercises, and real-life scenarios. The pre-institute is an online forum of readings, videos and discussions that takes place the month before MFI. Through a collaborative effort of SMA and Rutgers Urban Forestry Program the MFI pre-institute is a 4-week short course to introduce you to leadership concepts you will be expanding upon during your week in MFI. The pre-institute will be hosted by Rutgers Urban Forestry on Canvas; a well-known educational management platform with models for each week with videos and discussion boards to interact with fellow classmates and cadre members. Participants who complete the pre-institute before attending MFI will already be acquainted with other MFI participants and cadre members and have an understanding of the foundational course principles.
Registration Details
Registration does not include travel. Scholarships covering registration and travel are available. MFI is committed to increasing diversity in urban forestry and leadership opportunities for people of color and is partnering with Southern University and the US Forest Service to provide diversity scholarships for MFI applicants. Scholarships are also available for participants in many states. Organizers and Sponsors What Past Participants Say about MFI: "It was fantastic to reconnect with my MFI friends and to see the familiar faces of the cadre leadership [at the virtual 2021 MFI Day reunion]. Hearing about the leadership journeys of fellow MFI grads was inspiring. I learned so much through the presentations and personal stories. It felt great knowing that there is a family of professionals out there working hard for the people and places they serve. It reminded me why I love this profession." —Miche Palmer, MFI 2020, Street Tree Planting Forester, NYC Parks Forestry, Horticulture & Natural Resources "MFI felt like a gulp of fresh air when you’ve been underwater just a little too long. I hadn’t known how starved I was for professional camaraderie, companionship, and acceptance. In addition to the peer support—including the encouragement to look for a new job, which I’ve since found and started—one of my favorite things about MFI was learning about the new technologies and practices people were using in their city forestry programs." —Sarah Hagan, MFI 2021 "MFI gives you the opportunity to experience a group of passionate advocates for our environment who have a wealth of knowledge to share. You will either learn new skills or sharpen the tools you already have in your tool box. It will revitalize you and spark new ideas for your work and life goals."—Kateri Savory, MFI 2019, Senior Project Manager for Metropolitan New York City, Davey Resource Group For MFI registration or sponsorship inquiries, please contact [email protected]. The 2023 Municipal Forestry Insitute has yet to be announced. Check back for more information. |