What will the Florida Urban Forestry Council (FUFC) be talking about in 2026? We will be talking about seasonal transition; new membership strategy; strategic planning; UFI Conference; S.O.A.P.; Arbor Day Foundation programs; educational workshops; FUFC Awards; Marketing; and other urban forestry topics.
Seasonal Transition: First and foremost, the FUFC will be talking about the rotation of positions and responsibilities inside its governing body. Routine changes follow the calendar year with staggered terms for elected and appointed positions within the Slate of Officers and Executive Committee members. There will be some anticipated alignments and perhaps temporary vacancies. This is a great time to seek open positions and jump on board. Opportunity is never an orphan. Vacancies don’t stay vacant for long. Learn more “About Us” at https://fufc.org/who-we-are/.
Strategic Planning: The FUFC is talking about the 2026 Annual Work Plan as it relates to the 5-year Strategic Plan. The Education, Communication, Membership, Marketing, Awards, S.O.A.P., Executive, and sub-committees will be realigning their talent and experience to a cohesive effort to move urban forestry forward. The FUFC Strategic Plan can be found at https://fufc.org/strategic-plan/.
The Urban Forestry Institute (UFI): The UFI committee will be talking about “Urban Forestry – Resilience, Resistance, and Recovery – Urban Forests for Everyone Everywhere.” The UFI conference is a long-standing tradition for the FUFC, providing affordable education for a wide range of topics about urban forestry, people, places, and professions. To learn more about the UFI in 2026, visit https://fufc.org/urban-forestry-institute/.
The Urban Forestry Summit: The 2026 Urban Forestry Summit follows on the success of its first inaugural Summit in 2025. The on-site venue provides a perfect opportunity to learn, network, and celebrate with leaders and peers in urban forestry. Whether you are an arborist, city planner, landscape professional, or simply passionate about trees, this in-person event is for you!
Foundation Friday Education Webinars: The education committee will be providing monthly webinars with a variety of educational content that will help you in your work. Webinars and the CEUs they carry are free to members. Foundation Friday webinars are scheduled for the last Friday of each month.
Engagement Rewards Program: FUFC coupon rewards provide an incentive to members to actively participate with FUFC committees, meetings, events, content submissions, recruitment, and other valuable contributions that support the organization.
Sponsorship Opportunity Levels: are now being talked about as current sponsor opportunities are being reviewed and discussed. If you provide urban forestry products & services, FUFC may be able to help you be seen and heard.
S.O.A.P.: In 2026, the FUFC will be talking about S.O.A.P. initiatives and funding opportunities for urban forest projects & programs. Staffing, Ordinances, Advocacy, and Planning will bring about the strongest urban forestry rewards for Florida communities. Learn more about S.O.A.P. by reviewing FUFC newsletters at https://fufc.org/downloads/councilquarterly21v2.pdf, and “Stump The Forester” inside at, https://fufc.org/downloads/councilquarterly24v1.pdf
Arbor Day Foundation Programs: The FUFC joins the Arbor Day Foundation when nurturing an ecosystem of people, organizations, campuses, utilities, and municipalities who plan, plant, care, promote, and celebrate trees. FUFC will continue to promote the Arbor Day Foundation’s suite of tree-recognition programs; to include Tree City USA, Tree Cities of the World, Tree Campus Higher Education, Tree Campus K-12, Tree Campus Healthcare, and Tree Line USA programs. Learn about Arbor Day Foundation’s recognition programs, visit https://www.arborday.org/communities/.
FUFC Awards: The FUFC enables outstanding professionals; tree advocates; urban forestry projects & programs; utility arboriculture, sponsors, and lifetime achievements will be seen and celebrated through a long-standing Awards program. Are your outstanding people, places, and programs being recognized, announced, celebrated, and awarded? Find out more about the Friends of Our Urban Forest Awards program at https://fufc.org/awards-information/.
FUFC Value To Members: Of course, we will be talking about growing an upward trending membership by expanding our audience, impact for FUFC projects and programs; and increasing the value of membership. Join the “who’s who” in Florida’s urban forestry community by becoming a member and joining the FUFC. Stand up, stand out, and be recognized. Select the tier that’s right for you at https://fufc.org/membership/.
FUFC Marketing: The FUFC will continue to progress the enhancement of existing partnerships with member organizations and cultivate partnership opportunities with allied and like-minded organizations.
Other topics: Other topics of discussion can be found within the agenda for the UFI conference; the Urban Forestry Summit; regional workshops; The Council Quarterly newsletters; In A Nutshell monthly e-bulletins; social media posts; and during the FUFC Executive Board meetings. Lean in, speak up, roll up your sleeves, and join the tree-talk. We got work to do.
