Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Conference

The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program hosts a one-day conference in honor of the hardworking professionals and stewards that care for our community trees. Workshops are offered to enhance technical skills, discuss relevant topics in urban forestry, and network with professionals.

The conference also celebrates Vermont's Arbor Day with a proclamation and recognition of Vermont Tree Stewards Awards and Tree City, Tree Line, and Tree Campus designations. This event was formally known as the Arbor Day Conference.

Urban & Community Forestry Conference, Pruning Workshop

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Vermont State University- Randolph Campus

Submit a workshop proposal

Deadline for proposals: January 23, 2026.

Call for 2026 Workshop Proposals

The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program welcomes workshop proposals for 2026 Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Conference to be held on Thursday, May 28th, 2026, at the Vermont State University- Randolph Campus.

Conference goals

We gather stewards of Vermont’s urban trees and community forests to enhance their technical skills, discuss hot topics in urban forestry, and network with professionals and volunteers engaged in urban and community tree care.

Audience

The conference welcomes everyone, with a focus on supporting municipal staff, tree wardens, tree board members, volunteers, and passionate tree enthusiasts.

Possible workshop topics

Proposals for a presentation on any aspect of urban and community forestry (local, statewide, or national issues) are welcome. This is an opportunity for presenters to share case studies, successful management techniques, initiatives or models related to:

Urban forestry planning and management
Tree care skills
Technology
Community forestry (town forests, town greens, etc.)
School partnerships and programs
Forest health issues
Emerald ash borer management
Volunteer involvement and opportunities
Wood utilization
Effective partnerships
Other!

Presentation Options

60 minute session
45 minute session
10 minute presentation (will be combine with other 10 minute presentations for a “lightning round” session)

Considerations

All submitted proposals will be reviewed by members of Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program staff.
Proposals for 60 and 45 minute sessions should include at least one component of participant interaction: using a skill, participating in an activity, group discussion, etc. *Lightning round presentations do not need interactive component.
Speakers will receive no monetary compensation.
We will not consider proposals focused on a commercial product endorsement.

Review Criteria

Relevance of the proposal to the conference goals and audience.
Demonstration of participant interaction within presentation (for 45 and 60 minute sessions only)