The mission of the Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Council is to provide leadership to create a self-sustaining urban and community forestry program that preserves, plants, and manages forests and trees for public benefits and quality of life. The program does this by teaching citizens and decision-makers about the economic, environmental, psychological, and aesthetic benefits of trees. The program also helps local governments, citizen groups, and volunteers plant and sustain healthy trees and vegetation throughout Washington.
The council was established under RCW 76.15 to advise the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in carrying out the Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Program.
 | Urban and Community Forestry Awards
The Washington Community Forestry Council would like to recognize exceptional leadership, creativity, cooperation and stewardship toward the goals of urban and community forestry in Washington. We encourage nominations for individuals, as well as organizations, community groups, and businesses. Efforts that are voluntary or above and beyond typical job duties and expectations, show leadership, or are highly innovative will receive priority in our review of nominations. For more information and to find the nomination form, follow this link (*Please note - for best results please save this form prior to filling it out.) |
MeetingsThe annual meeting is each February.
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view agendas and minutes)
Membership
The council’s bylaws call for 15 to 21 members to be appointed by the Commissioner of Public Lands. Council membership is open to any organization, society, association, business, public agency, group, professional, or citizen with an interest in community and urban forestry.
(view board members - 25KB PDF)
The council’s bylaws also call for representation by individuals from various professional backgrounds, training, interests, and expertise:
- Urban forest managers or municipal arborists
- Private sector or commercial arborists
- Public or private utility arborists
- Nonprofit volunteer or environmental youth conservation organizations
- Elected officials who do not represent the Association of Washington Cities or Washington State Association of Counties
- Registered landscape architects
- Representatives of a state, county, city, or local agency concerned with conservation or education
- Professionals in public or private land development, urban planning, economic development, or similar professions
- Representatives from academic institutions with expertise in urban and community forestry issues
Eleven of the council’s members are appointed to represent various agencies and organizations:
- Association of Washington Cities
- DNR
- Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture
- USDA Forest Service
- University of Washington College of Forest Resources
- Washington Association of Landscape Professionals
- Washington State Association of Counties
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association
- Washington State Recreation and Park Association
- Washington State University Extension
Member Terms
Representatives of DNR and the USDA Forest Service are among those with unlimited terms. Other members serve a maximum of two three-year terms.
(view member terms -25KB PDF)