Apply As a Mentor or Mentee for the MFI Diversity Mentorship Program by November 23, 2020 

Download the MFI Diversity Mentorship Flyer

MFI is an exciting, high-level training opportunity educating professionals in the leadership and managerial aspects of urban forestry. This week-long intensive educational program delivers a challenging opportunity to grow a more successful community tree program. Come learn and master leadership and management tools of program administration, coalition building, strategic thinking, program planning, and public relations by investing a week in your personal growth and development.

Why should you attend?
This is a unique leadership and professional development opportunity you won’t find elsewhere. A team of dedicated urban forestry professionals from across North America will help you gain insights in to how you can move from a good urban forestry program to a great one. You will have the opportunity to learn from and network with urban forestry professionals from large cities and small towns, state and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations. MFI is an investment in your professional future - one that could pay great dividends to you and your city.

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What does MFI Cover?
The Institute curriculum was developed by a team of urban forestry professionals and educators with dozens of years experience in leading urban forestry programs at the local, state, federal, and non-profit levels. There are four major components of the MFI curriculum:

The curriculum is presented in a variety of formats including lectures, multi-media presentations, panel discussions, group exercises, and real-life scenarios.

Registration Details
The all-inclusive registration investment covers the following:

Who should attend?
People who plan, manage, and administer urban forestry programs and who want to become more effective leaders and managers. Past MFI classes have included over 500 City Foresters and City Arborists, Urban Foresters, Municipal Arborists, Planners, Tree Wardens, State Urban Forestry Staffs and Municipal Tree Advocates

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT MFI:

“ MFI is a very worthwhile experience for everyone who attends who puts the effort into the week.  It does take some effort, and some letting go, but there is much to be gained.  I highly recommend it to anyone interested in attending. - Chris Donnelly, CT Urban Forestry Coordinator

“I came out of MFI with a learning journal that is packed with information and notes from my experience. It’s a great reminder of the days in the classroom, how we worked together to solve problems, the bonding with people that you otherwise would have never met.” - Heather Dionne, Hartford, CT

“What a great week! It was very much worth the time and investment. If starting your career, this is a must. If you are further down the professional track, this is a great opportunity to refocus and re-energize.” - Eric Berg, Lincoln, NE

“MFI is the next best step you should take to grow your urban forestry programs...the dividends from MFI are immediate.” - Mike Duran-Mitchell, NYC, NY

Organizers and Sponsors
The MFI is a program of the Society of Municipal Arborists, and is organized in cooperation with other groups such as the Southern University and the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program.

MFI: What to Expect

Required Institute Pre-Work
Part of the MFI experience involves mandatory readings and online discussions that will be held during January and early February. If you’re accepted into MFI, you’ll need a valid email address and internet access from work or home. Plan on spending about 2 hours a week for 5 to 7 weeks on the Institute Pre-Work.

Instructors
The MFI instructional staff comes with decades of experience in all phases of urban forestry, at the municipal, state, federal, private, and non-profit levels. Most MFI teaching teams have over 100 years combined urban forestry expertise.