The Council Quarterly 2026 v.2

President’s Letter

If you look at the work inside the Florida Urban Forestry Council (FUFC) right now, there’s a clear shift underway. For years, the FUFC has done a great job sharing knowledge. Conferences, webinars, and publications like this one have helped move urban forestry forward by connecting people to ideas. What we’re starting to see now is the next step. We’re moving from conversation to coordination.

Across this issue of The Council Quarterly, you’ll see examples of that shift taking shape.

The beginning of a Municipal Roundtable is creating a structured way for communities to connect, align, and share real-world challenges and solutions. As part of that effort, the development of Regional Forestry Work Groups is a move toward localized coordination. Groups are forming that will bring professionals together at a regional level to align efforts and share real-time insights.

At the same time, the Urban Forestry Exploration Camp reflects something just as important: building the next generation of professionals who will carry this work forward. The Urban Forestry Institute (UFI) continues to serve as a cornerstone of knowledge exchange, bringing together diverse perspectives and professionals to push the profession forward. This year, we had participants at UFI joining from places like the United Kingdom and New Jersey.

These aren’t isolated efforts. They’re part of a broader movement toward a more connected, more coordinated urban forestry community in Florida and beyond. That matters.

People are noticing the work happening here and leaning in to learn more. Urban forestry challenges aren’t isolated to Florida; they transcend boundaries and politics.

The challenges we face today, whether it’s development pressure, storm impacts, changing regulations, or long-term canopy management, don’t exist in isolation. They require alignment between professionals, organizations, communities, and opportunities.

What we’re building, step by step, is a system where that alignment becomes easier. Where information flows more freely; where professionals are better connected; and where decisions are made with greater clarity and confidence. At the end of the day, urban forestry is about outcomes, healthier trees, stronger communities, and landscapes that continue to provide value over time.

Those outcomes don’t happen by chance. They are the result of informed decisions, consistent practices, and professionals who are committed—and supported—to doing the work the right way. That’s what makes this community strong. It’s what makes the direction we’re heading so important. Strong urban forests don’t happen by accident. They happen when people decide the work matters—and work together to manage the resources well.

Cheers,

John Snow
President, Florida Urban Forestry Council