The City Forest Certification program empowers neighbors to implement exceptional tree stewardship

Trees benefit our lives in many ways and are part of the urban ecosystem with intricate connections to the environment, people, plants, and animals. With this in mind, the City Forest Certification is designed for flexibility to allow anyone (renters, apartment residents, single-family homeowners, businesses, entire apartment complexes, schools, places of worship, etc.) to participate. All of us have a role to play; collectively, we grow the forest. The program guides neighbors toward 37 goals that support trees. Each goal earns a neighbor points called "acorns." To meet certification, a total of 16 acorns must be earned, but neighbors may choose which goals to implement.

My roles involved:

• Program research and visioning

• Program planning and development.

• Program road mapping

• Establishing external partnerships (>25 local, state, and international organizations and government)

• Managing deliverables from partners (connecting 8 internal programs)

• Campaign graphics and signage material

• Managing contractors (graphic designers)

• Website construction

• Curriculum writing

• Campaign materials (newsletters and press releases)

• ArcGIS database establishment

• Logistics planning

• Budgeting

• Video creation and editing

• Staff training

• Volunteer management

*All work was completed on behalf of Trees Atlanta while a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Georgia, 2021-2022