The Council Quarterly 2025 v.4

President’s Letter

Hello FUFC Members,

This year, I am reminded that the strength of the Florida Urban Forestry Council (FUFC) stems from the people who are engaged in urban forestry. Your commitment to enhancing the value and stewardship of urban forests keeps Florida’s urban forest management moving in the right direction. As we close out 2025, we are entering a pivotal moment for FUFC, and I want to share it with you directly and transparently.

This upcoming year, FUFC will launch a new membership structure and sponsorship model. This is one of the most significant updates we have made in many years, and it is built around a single principle: the value of membership should always strengthen, never weaken. This change ensures that FUFC can continue providing the training, CEUs, resources, and partnerships our members rely on, especially during a time when external financial & regulatory pressures are tightening nationwide.

It has become clear that relying largely on federal or governmental funding puts the long-term stability of FUFC at risk. Budgets dependent on federal-level spending have been particularly vulnerable and unpredictable. To continue without adjusting our model would put us in jeopardy. The programs that matter most to our members— webinars, continuing education potential, conferences, youth outreach, and publications—would eventually suffer. That is something none of us can accept. To grow a sustainable urban forest, we must also grow a sustainable organization.

The innovative membership model reflects this mindset. It is streamlined, easier to understand, and designed to provide real value to every level of membership. Most importantly, all professional, corporate, utility, and agency members now receive Foundational Friday webinar CEUs at no additional cost; all you need to do is attend. This protects member access, supports professional development, and allows FUFC to deliver the education that is core to our mission and central to your career advancement.

You will also see something brand new in 2026. We are introducing an Engagement Rewards Program that rewards members who participate, contribute, and connect. Members can earn rewards simply for submitting articles, helping recruit new members, getting involved on a committee, or contributing to the Council’s work. These are more than perks. They reinforce that FUFC is strongest when our members are active and engaged.

In this issue of The Council Quarterly. Our colleagues at the UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Extension Council are engaged and have actively taken over this edition. They have provided a full slate of articles, features, and educational content. This is a clear sign of where FUFC is headed. We are expanding our partnerships, working closely with allied organizations, and building a broader network across Florida. Collaboration will be a cornerstone of our future.

I want to be clear about one more thing. These changes are about protecting FUFC’s mission – not about raising revenue. They are meant to keep CEUs accessible, strengthen member value, support our Strategic Plan, and ensure FUFC does not retreat from the progress we have made together. Your membership fuels education, outreach, youth programs, grants, and every initiative that helps communities manage, grow, and expand their urban forests.

This Council belongs to its members. We are building this next chapter with you in mind, and I am excited about what the coming year will bring. Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for supporting this mission. And thank you for helping shape a healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable urban forest for all Floridians.

Cheers,
John Snow
2025 FUFC President