Tag: urban forestry

Young woman ties a sign to a tree.

Intern Spotlight: Discovering a Passion for Trees and Community with Natalie Vargas

by Stephanie Cadaval
September 23, 2026

This summer of 2026, we were lucky enough to bring aboard two interns to learn about urban forestry and Extension in Florida. Their contributions to our programs helped us reach young people, residents, and professionals, expanding our Urban ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth
Tags: Florida Urban Forestry Council, Forest, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension, Urban Forestry Summit
Children and an adult plant a young tree togethr in a shaded park, placing the root ball into the soil beneath mature trees.

A Tree Is an Investment in Your Home and Health

by Margaret Stewart
September 18, 2026

A healthy tree is much more than a pretty part of the yard. Trees provide shade, lower energy costs, manage rainwater, support wildlife and improve air quality. They may also increase property value and support our physical and mental health. These ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Air Quality, Carbon Dioxide Reduction, Carbon Storage, Climate Resilience, Energy Savings, Environmental Benefits, Florida Gardening, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening In The Panhandle, Home Landscaping, Mental Health, Native Trees, Northwest Florida, Okaloosa County, Physical Health, Pollinators, Property Value, Shade Trees, Stormwater Management, Sustainable Landscaping, Tree Benefits, Trees, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Forestry, Water Quality, Wildlife Habitat
Several adults in a classroom raising their hands

UF Launches Pilot Urban Forest Tree Stewards Training Program

by Suzette Cook
September 3, 2026

Municipal, county and agency representatives throughout Florida joined the UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Extension for two days of hands-on training for team leaders in the Tree Stewards Volunteer program. The workshop, held on August 25 and ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Forests, Natural Resources
Tags: School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, SFFGS, UF/IFAS Extension, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension
Urban Forestry Summit attendees on a tour of the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory.

NATL, not to be overlooked

by Wes Wolfe
August 6, 2026

It can be missed sometimes, considering the attention the Austin Cary Forest receives, but the Natural Area Teaching Laboratory (NATL) is one of UF’s hidden treasures. Organizers of the recent Urban Forestry Summit in Gainesville made ... READ MORE

Category: Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS
Tags: Austin Cary Forest, Florida Urban Forestry Council, Forest, Forestry, Invasive Species, NATL, Natural Area Teaching Laboratory, Prescribed Fires, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, SFFGS, Trees, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension, Urban Forestry Summit
This image shows the tops canopy of a live oak tree.

Summer and Fall Sumter County Urban Forestry and Landscape Professional Classes

by Jamie Daugherty, Ph.D.
June 15, 2026

Join us for a variety of classes this summer and fall! Connecting Florida-Friendly Landscaping(TM) Principles to Urban Forestry Date: 7/21/26 Time: 8:30am-5pm Location: UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension. 7620 State Rte 471 #2, Bushnell, ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Trees, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension, Urban Trees, Water Quality

Using Mulch Around Trees and Palms

by Jamie Daugherty, Ph.D.
April 30, 2026

While some think of mulch as simply an aesthetic component of a landscape, it is so much more. Mulch has a large impact on the health of your landscape plants, including your palms and trees. Selecting the correct mulch and the appropriate application ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Mulch, Palms, Trees, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension, Urban Trees
Upward view of a tagged Quest Tree trunk and canopy on the University of Florida campus, showing a Gainesville TreeQuest sign highlighting estimated lifetime benefits of the tree.

Tree Quest: Exploring Gainesville’s Urban Trees and Finding Opportunities for Fun, Learning, and Connection

by Stephanie Cadaval
April 8, 2026

Gainesville’s inaugural TreeQuest brought out over 90 individuals and groups to participate in a local tree scavenger hunt. The event took place in three public parks and the University of Florida’s main campus, with participants ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Events, Forests, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Community Engagement, Community Trees, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension
This image shows the tops canopy of a live oak tree.

The Job of Trees: How They Benefit Our Communities

by Jamie Daugherty, Ph.D.
March 26, 2026

Did you know that the trees and palms in your landscapes work for you? They provide several ecosystem services. What are ecosystem services? They are services that are freely done by the environment that would require us to create expensive ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Urban Forestry, Urban Forestry Extension

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