ABOUT AUTHOR
Marguerite Beckford
Marguerite works as a Horticulture Extension Agent in Citrus County, with programs focused on Environmental Landscape Management (ELM) and Urban Forestry Extension education. Marguerite’s ELM Extension program has provided job promotion and retention opportunities for more than 2000 green-industry professionals in Florida, through best management practices training sessions and CEU classes. Marguerite launched Florida’s first trademarked urban forestry Extension program (Treejuvenation Florida) in 2017, conducting urban forestry Extension community engagement events and sourcing partnership resources to plant more than 500 community trees. Serving on an inaugural tree committee, Marguerite provided technical assistance for New College of Florida’s certification process to be recognized as Florida’s 21st Tree Campus USA© location. Marguerite has published work in EDIS and ASHS journals, has presented at national and international conferences, and has earned national and state Extension awards, as well as a UF/IFAS Faculty and Staff Superior Accomplishment award. Contact info: mbeckford@ufl.edu