A new speaker series
One of the goals of the Urban Forestry Extension Council (UFEC) is to build and support a learning community around urban forestry in Florida. We’ve organized a new Fall Speaker Series for 2025. This series will provide a space for learning about new and ongoing urban forestry research and community projects while inviting listeners to engage with presenters and one another. Formatted as a Lunch & Learn, the series invites you to join on Zoom from 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET. We welcome you to bring your lunch, your questions, and your curiosity.
Join us to learn more about interdisciplinary urban forestry topics
We recognize that while trees are a huge aspect of our work in urban forests, they are not the only thing we focus on. Our speakers will share insights on diverse, intersecting topics in urban forestry. We almost called this series “Urban Forests And…” because so much of our field connects with other aspects, such as engaging youth, human health, invasive species management, community partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration. While many of the speakers will present with a Florida focus, some will share case studies from other states and contexts.
So, we invite you to participate and learn with us — under a shared canopy, on shared ground.
Important details
What: UF/IFAS UFEC 2025 Fall Speaker Series — Shared Canopy, Shared Ground (virtual Lunch & Learn)
Who: Open to anyone working in, studying, or interested in urban forestry
When: Select Wednesdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Where: Zoom (links sent upon registration)
Cost: Free. Registration is per presentation.
Save the date and register for individual events using the links below
September 17 — Updates from the Field: What’s going on in Southwest Florida?
Hear from Alyssa Vinson, UF IFAS Hillsborough County Extension Agent, about her work in southwest Florida, including results from surveys and research plots.
Register: https://forms.gle/L4mST75rWcZnVzRn7
October 1 — Incentive-based policies for tree protection: a national review.
UF School of Natural Resources and Environment Ph.D. student Aline Kuzma presents a national review of incentive-based policies for tree protection—spotlighting urban forest incentives for private property owners across the U.S.
Register: https://forms.gle/vj4wcttBGH5njJbT7
October 8 Urban Trees on Stress Levels: An Environmental and Socioeconomic Analysis in Florida, US.
Join UF Environmental Horticulture Ph.D. student Suzie Suhendy as she shares her research on how urban trees and neighborhood conditions in Florida communities impact stress and well-being.
Postdoctoral research fellow and urban geographer Dr. Elizabeth Riedman of UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs shares research on overcoming barriers to participation in urban tree planting and care.
Register: https://forms.gle/ZLC2mUhudzYcCwHt6
October 29 — Branching Out: the Under-Examined Role of Urban Tree Giveaway Programs and Urban Greening in Florida.
Dr. Lillian Dinkins, a recent graduate of the University of Florida School of Forests, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences, discusses tree giveaway programs and how organizations expand urban tree canopy to build more resilient cities.
Learn from Christian Wanamaker, Volunteer Coordinator for UF’s Invasive Species Survey Group, how to identify and document invasive species with EDDMapS and how the group’s field surveys on public and private lands help land managers.
Register: https://forms.gle/KQEnc5sRr8ekz6X9A
November 12 — Community Canopy Conservation: A Case Study in a Community’s Effort in Protecting an Urban Canopy on Southern Amelia Island.
Join Dr. Taylor Clem, County Director and Horticulture Extension Agent with UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County, as he shares a southern Amelia Island case study on partnering with communities to protect and manage urban canopies
Register: https://forms.gle/Xtc7KnKtHDi2HM7UA
December 3 — Using Urban Forests to Reconnect Humans to Nature.
UF Agricultural Education & Communication Ph.D. candidate Stephanie Stoutamire explores how urban forests help people experience nature and deepen their connection to the natural world.
Register: https://forms.gle/WzwGDJPsJjQXarS68
December 10 — Teen Urban Foresters: Youth Voice & Power in Community Forestry.
Join Allison Bell, Education Director at Canopy (California), as she shares practical ways to center youth voice and leadership in community forestry.
Sessions will be recorded. For questions, please contact Dr. Stephanie Cadaval (UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Extension Coordinator — scadaval@ufl.edu ).
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