QUESTION: What is the FUFC Municipal Roundtable?
ANSWER: The FUFC Municipal Roundtable is a growing network of municipal arborists, urban foresters, and public-sector staff from across Florida who come together to share ideas, challenges, and practical solutions for managing community trees and urban forests.
The Roundtable was created to support municipal professionals who often work in small teams—and sometimes as a team of one. It offers a welcoming space to connect with peers who understand the realities of municipal work, from tree protection & policy to storm response & recovery, urban forest management, planning, and public outreach.
What began as a simple idea — to coordinate the connections between municipal urban forest personnel, to help municipal staff learn from one another, and feel less isolated—has continued to grow through regional groups. Today, active groups are taking shape in Tampa Bay, Naples, and Jacksonville, with room for more to grow across the state.
Why does it matter? Because stronger peer connections lead to stronger local programs. The FUFC Municipal Roundtable helps communities by giving municipal staff a place to exchange lessons learned, talk through common issues, and carry back ideas that can make a real difference at home.
For anyone looking to get involved, the first step is easy: connect with FUFC and join the conversation. If your area does not yet have a regional group, your interest may be the seed that starts one. To learn more, visit https://fufc.org/municipal-roundtable/.
Answer provided by Shannon Brewer – Field Operations Mgr, Tree Check Up, LLC; ISA-Arborist; CFM; FUFC Board member
