Arizona Urban

Forestry Roundtable

Five years in the making. A statewide alliance shaping the future of Arizona’s urban canopy.

Mission

To open lines of communication, enhance coordination, and work collaboratively on improving tree care and planting in Maricopa County in ways that will measurably mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve local air quality, and prioritize achieving Tree Equity through municipal and private investment in trees, particularly in frontline communities currently lacking in tree canopy.

The goal of the Roundtable is to work collaboratively to improve tree care and planting in Metro Phoenix in ways that will measurably mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve local air quality, and prioritize environmental and social justice outcomes through municipal and private investment in trees, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods currently lacking tree canopy.

Objectives

  • 1
    Align urban forestry efforts across sectors, agencies, and geographies in Arizona.
  • 2
    Co-develop and share best practices for planting, maintenance, monitoring, and workforce development.
  • 3
    Increase equitable investment in tree canopy through collaboration, data, and storytelling.
Logo_Full_Color

What the Roundtable Is Doing

Since our first meeting in 2019, the Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable has grown from a conversation into a statewide coalition with real impact, active committees, and meaningful outcomes.

The Roundtable began in 2019 with a simple question: What does Arizona’s urban forestry industry need to grow stronger and more connected?
Based on early survey feedback, the Roundtable began identifying key gaps in collaboration, consistency, and access to training. Over time, the group has evolved into a multi-sector coalition of over 180 active members from cities, nonprofits, utilities, state agencies, and community partners.

Impact highlights

  • 1
    180 active members and growing
  • 2
    Free in-person CEU workshops offered annually for Roundtable members
  • 3
    Member-led presentations at the Arizona Nursery Association Annual Conference
  • 4
    HOA Tree Stewards program initiated in partnership with AZDFFM
  • 5
    Each committee is now actively leading or supporting real-world tools, training models, or municipal strategies, see the sections below for more.
Urban Forestry Roundtable
2025 Roundtable Meeting Schedule

Meeting Minutes


View Meeting Minutes

Workgroup Updates
  • Update provided by Workforce Development Subcommittee
  • Update provided by Municipalities Subcommittee
  • Update provided by Tree Species Subcommittee
Tree Stewards Presentation
Tree City USA

Update provided by Forestry Outreach Coordinators: Megan Lasley and Timara Crichlow

DFFM UCF Strategic Plan 2025–2029

Presented by Madeline Burton; Urban Forestry Program Manager

Municipality Updates
  • City of Avondale – Kimberly Anderson
  • City of Phoenix – Lora Martens
  • City of Mesa – Stephen Addison
UFRT 2025 Overview

Provided by Lorena Saldana

Grants Available / RFPs

Information shared during the meeting.

Announcements
  • Job Openings
  • Other Announcements

Meeting Minutes


View Meeting Minutes

Workforce Development
  • Best Practices for Convening a Workforce Development Committee
  • Update provided by American Forests; Tia Washington
  • Workforce Development Committee Group Discussion
  • Align on Workforce Development Committee structure, long-term/short-term goals
UFRT Updates
  • Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable

  • Roundtable Survey
  • UFRT CEU Session: July 17, 2025
  • UFRT Happy Hour
Announcements

Shared during the meeting.

Meeting Minutes


View Meeting Minutes

Workgroup Updates
  • Update provided by Workforce Development Subcommittee
  • Update provided by Municipalities Subcommittee
  • Update provided by Tree Species Subcommittee
Municipalities Committee Update

Discussion and progress shared by committee members.

Breakout Session

Collaborative discussion among attendees.

Breakout Session Discussion

Summary of ideas and feedback generated during breakout groups.

Mesa Public Schools Workforce Development Program

Dawn Giles provided an overview of MPS’s Workforce Development program and discussed opportunities for municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses across the Valley.

AZ Conservation Corps

Update provided by Hayden Prouty.

Announcements

Shared during the meeting.

Meeting Minutes


View Meeting Minutes

Thank You to Our Program Sponsors
  • American Forests
  • AZDFFM
Rooted in Results: Tree Survival by the Numbers

This session presents long-term data collected from over 40 sites across Maricopa County. Topics include survival rates, species-specific challenges, irrigation performance, and monitoring protocols, with a focus on field-based findings and data-driven strategy adjustments.

Between the Lines: Tree Management in Utility Corridors

This session explores how to successfully manage trees near overhead utilities through a cross-sector perspective. It includes guidance from Arizona Public Service (APS) Utility urban forestry team members on clearance requirements, pruning standards, risk mitigation, and safety protocols. The presentation also highlights how planners, municipal staff, and nonprofit professionals can coordinate with utility companies to prevent conflicts. Real-world examples show how thoughtful tree placement, species selection, and communication can protect canopy investments in areas impacted by utility infrastructure.

Municipality Toolkit: Best Practices for Urban Forestry

Overview of a new regional toolkit designed for Arizona municipalities. Session covers ordinance language, inventory standards, planting and maintenance cycles, contractor oversight, and equity-based prioritization strategies for tree planting and care.

Raffle Items

Thank you to our in-kind sponsors who provided donations for our raffle!

  • Valley Leadership
  • Arbor Works
  • Trader Joe’s
  • Kendra Scott
  • CaliWater
  • City of Phoenix Office of Heat and Mitigation Response
Lunch

Lunch provided for attendees.

Coming soon

Coming soon

Coming soon

Meetings held Every 2 months on the third Thursday from 09:00 AM-11:00 AM via Zoom unless otherwise indicated.

Want to Get Involved?

Whether you’re a municipal forester, nonprofit partner, educator, or community member, you’re welcome to join us.
The Roundtable is open to everyone working toward a greener, cooler Arizona.

Contact: 📧 UFRT@azsustain.org

UFRT_Member

Roundtable Members & Partners

The Arizona Urban Forestry Roundtable brings together cross-sector leaders from municipalities, nonprofits, utilities, universities, and community organizations committed to growing Arizona’s tree canopy.

ArborWorks-Logo
The-Nature-Conservancy
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management_2024 Department Logo_Tertiary_Color (1) (1) (1)

Roundtable committees

Roundtable committees develop resources, tools, and strategies that strengthen Arizona’s urban forestry practice. Each committee’s work is informed by local needs and created collaboratively with our network of partners.

Tree Species Committee

The Tree Species Committee enhances the Valley’s greenery by curating a comprehensive list of suitable trees. This work empowers professionals and the public to make informed, resilient, and site-appropriate tree choices across Arizona.

Municipalities Committee

This committee strengthens collaboration between municipalities, nonprofits, and community members to expand tree canopy and improve equity outcomes. Its primary focus is developing a comprehensive, Arizona-based Urban Forestry Toolkit.

Workforce Development Committee

The Workforce Development Committee focuses on building equitable green career pathways, supporting sustainability education, and strengthening Arizona’s urban forestry workforce. Its efforts connect training programs to real-world climate resilience and tree care opportunities.

Presentations and other roundtable information

Explore downloadable materials, slide decks, and recordings created by Roundtable committees or articles about the roundtable

Presentations
Urban Forestry Roundtable slide deck (1)
Urban Forestry Roundtable slide deck

American Forests article (March 14, 2024) — A national-level story highlighting your collective work, including the Roundtable’s foundation in 2019 and its cross-sector strategy

Featured Publications and Mentions
“Phoenix Metro Urban Forestry Roundtable works to cool America’s hottest city”

American Forests article (March 14, 2024) — A national-level story highlighting your collective work, including the Roundtable’s foundation in 2019 and its cross-sector strategy

Green Living Mag – Phoenix Metro Roundtable Coverage

Local media piece (published ~4.9 years ago, likely 2020) celebrating your early efforts around urban heat solutions and collaborative work

“Tree Equity is helping to combat extreme heat in Phoenix” by American Forests

Highlights Roundtable’s role in promoting Tree Equity, federal funding outcomes, and Arizona’s Climate Response/American forests

sustainability begins with you

What we do is only possible with the help of people just like you.