SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS

Certified Urban and Community Forester Credential

Society of American Forester’s partnership with the California Urban Forests Council sprouted the future of this credential for professionals across the map. Together we had a vision for professionals in the urban and community forestry space, and now we are making strides to offer this certification to the workforce.

The “Certified Urban and Community Forester” credential promotes the holistic nature of urban and community forestry that’s focused on resource conservation across the canopy intersected with the complex and dynamic infrastructure and stakeholder ecosystem.

CALIFORNIA RELEAF

Educational Webinar: The Economic Impact of Urban & Community Forestry in California

December 9, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific

Join us on December 9th at 10 a.m. to learn about a recently published study on the Impacts of Urban & Community Forestry on California’s Economy: A 10-Year Update.

Our speakers, Dr. Rajan Parajuli and Dr. Eric Wiseman, who led the research study, will present their findings, highlighting the contributions that the private, public, and nonprofit sectors of Urban and Community Forestry have made to our state and local economies.

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Centering Equity in Urban Forestry

December 11, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. Pacific

ARBOR DAY TREE CITY USA

Applications open to earn Tree City USA recognition

Application Deadline:  December 31, 2024

ARBOR DAY TREE CITY USA

2024 Tree Cities of the World Application

Application Deadline
January 31, 2025 | 11:59 p.m. CST

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tree Cities of the World application portal is open and accepting applications.Tree City status provides recognition through an annual application. The application is available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese! If you've been recognized as a Tree City before, your information will auto-populate in the application.The deadline to apply for 2024 recognition is January 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to treecitiesoftheworld@arborday.org or a National Program's Leader near you. Information about the application and additional resources can be found on TreeCitiesOfTheWorld.org.

ATTENTION YOUNG ARTISTS AND TREE LOVERS!

Entries are now open for the 2025 Arbor Week Poster Contest!

Entry Due Date: February 7, 2025

Each year, California kicks off Arbor Week (March 7 – 14) with a Youth Poster Contest. During Arbor Week, we celebrate how trees make our neighborhoods cooler, healthier, and safer for everyone. Learn more about the contest at CaliforniaReLeaf.org and share it with young tree heroes in your community! 

• 2025 Contest Theme: “Trees Root Our Community.”
• Who Can Enter: California Youth Ages 5 - 12 years old
• Entry Due Date: February 7, 2025 (postmarked)

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Wood Innovations Grant Program

Applications due Dec. 11, 2024

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Community Wood Grant Program

Applications due Dec. 18, 2024

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA) Grant Program

Applications due Dec. 18, 2024

COUNCIL OF WESTERN STATE FORESTERS

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Grant Program

Applications due Dec. 20, 2024

CALIFORNIA RELEAF

Growing Green Communities Grant Program For Nonprofits & CBOs in Northern / Central California

Funds: Tree Planting & Tree Care Projects

Eligible Project Locations: Pacific Gas & Electric Company Service Areas

Eligible Applicants: California Based Nonprofits and Community Groups

Grant Amounts: $2,500 or $5,000 per project

Applications Due: December 20, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Virtual Technical Assistance Office Hours: December 3rd at 11 a.m. or December 10th at 5 p.m.

CALIFORNIA RELEAF

California Arbor Week Grant Program For Nonprofits & CBOs in Southern California

Funds: Tree Planting & Tree Care Projects

Eligible Project Locations: Southern California Edison Service Areas

Eligible Applicants: California Based Nonprofits and Community Groups

Grant Amounts: $2,500 or $5,000 per project

Applications Due: December 20, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Virtual Technical Assistance Office Hours: December 4th at 11 a.m. or December 11th at 5 p.m.

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Grant Program

Applications due Jan. 13, 2025

USDA FOREST SERVICE

Community Wildfire Defense Grants

The USDA Forest Service is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program to assist at-risk communities, including tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, with planning for and mitigating wildfire risks. Now in its third year, this competitive program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Out of the up to $200 million available, individual grants of up to $250,000 can be used to develop and update community wildfire protection plans. Individual grants of up to $10 million can be used for wildfire resilience projects that implement community wildfire protection plans. Projects must be completed within five years of the award. The number of projects selected will be determined by available funding, which is up to $200 million.

Notices of funding opportunities are available on Grants.gov. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on Feb. 28, 2025.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop proposals in consultation with state or Forest Service regional cooperative fire contacts listed in the Notices of Funding Opportunity.

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE

Urban Forest Improvement Grant Program

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) recently announced a new funding opportunity called the Urban Forest Improvement Grant Program.  SFI’s Urban Forest Improvement Grant Program is designed to help organizations benchmark their urban or community forests against the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. These grants support the assessment of current management practices, offering valuable insights into how sustainably these forests are managed, as well as a roadmap of opportunities for improvement.

The application process is open on a rolling basis until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 30, 2027, or until all funds are awarded.

The City of Freemont is hiring: Urban Forestry Service Corps Supervisor (One Year Term)

Friends of the Urban Forest, based in San Francisco, is hiring for a Deputy Director of Finance and Operations, and HR Manager.

Our City Forest, based in San Jose, is hiring for a Community Nursery & Training Center Manager, Business & Finance Manager, Major Gifts Officer, Planting Program Coordinator, and Climate Corps Service Member.

Tree Davis in Davis is hiring for Cool Schools Yolo Education Assistant (Part-time, Woodland), and Cool Schools Yolo Education Assistant (Part-time, West Sacramento)

TreePeople, based in Los Angeles, is hiring for multiple jobs and internships, including  Community Engagement Associate Manager (Inland Empire), Community Forestry Associate (San Gabriel Valley), Community Forestry Associate (South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles), Community Forestry Associate Manager (Southeast Los Angeles), Community Forestry Associate Manager (San Gabriel Valley), Community Forestry Foreperson, Outdoor Equity Educator, Public Relations Specialist, Regional Manager (San Fernando Valley), School Partnership Associate Manager, Wildland Restoration Tech