2026 TN Urban Forestry Conference
2026 Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference
Raising the Canopy
October 28–30, 2026 | Memphis Botanic Garden | Memphis, Tennessee
Join Tennessee’s urban forestry community in Memphis for two days of education, field experiences, and networking at the 2026 Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference.
Whether trees are your profession, your community work, or both, this event is for you.
Financial Assistance
We want the conference to be accessible to individuals who may face financial barriers to attending. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsor, FedEx Cares, and TUFC member donations, a limited number of registration assistance opportunities are available. If cost would prevent you from participating, please contact TUFC to learn more about financial assistance.
Learn
Keynote presentations, technical sessions, municipal discussions, and community forestry learning.
Experience
Field tours, hands-on workshops, outdoor demonstrations, and real-world examples from Memphis.
Connect
Welcome Party, exhibitors, statewide networking, awards, and opportunities to build new partnerships.
Conference Highlights
Thursday Keynote
Tree Quest: Growing Healthy Trees in the Urban Realm
Leslie Berckes
Urban & Community Forestry Society
Explore the people, partnerships, and shared work it takes to grow healthy trees in communities large and small.
Thursday Afternoon
Field Experiences Across Memphis
Overton Park Old Forest
Memphis Urban Orchards
Choose a field-based learning experience focused on urban silviculture or community orchards.
Friday Morning Breakouts
Municipal & Community Forestry
Municipal Urban Forestry
Ashley Kite-Rowland + municipal panelists
Community Forestry in Action
Olliette Murry-Drobot, Bertram Williams Jr. + 6 lightning-round speakers
Choose between a municipal peer-learning exchange or a community forestry track focused on engagement, partnerships, and local projects.
Thursday + Friday Workshops
Arboricultural Practices
Thursday: Trees & Construction
Mark Follis + Wes Hopper
Friday: Plant Health Care
Chris Diffley + Mark Ware
Extended practical workshops give arborists a dedicated learning path on both days of the conference.
Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday
October 28
12:00–4:30 PM
Urban Forestry Credential Preparatory Course
6:00–9:00 PM
Welcome Party
Thursday
October 29
Registration & Coffee Reception
Opening General Session
Keynote Presentation
Awards Luncheon
Field Tours & Workshop
President’s Reception
Friday
October 30
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Closing Session
Conference Adjourns at 12:15 PM
Continuing Education
Continuing Education Units will be available for eligible conference sessions, including arboriculture programming designed for ISA Certified Arborists.
ISA CEUs and additional credentialing credits are being finalized. The Plant Health Care workshop will also offer pesticide recertification points. Complete credit information will be posted as approvals are confirmed.
Awards & Recognition
Celebrate outstanding people, projects, and trees during two special recognition events on Thursday.
Thursday Luncheon
Awards of Excellence
Join us as we recognize individuals, organizations, and projects making outstanding contributions to urban and community forestry in Tennessee.
Nominations for the 2026 Awards of Excellence are open through October 2.
Thursday Evening
President’s Reception & Tennessee Champion Trees
The President’s Reception wraps up Thursday with the close of the Silent Auction and a special ceremony recognizing the 2026 Tennessee Champion Trees.
Silent Auction item donations are being accepted.
Joining us as a guest? A limited number of guest tickets are available for the Awards Luncheon and President’s Reception & Tennessee Champion Tree Ceremony for awardees, nominators, family members, and other guests. Guest tickets are available through the regular conference registration system.
Wednesday Pre-Conference Events
Urban Forestry Credential Preparatory Course
Wednesday, October 28 | 12:00–4:30 PM
Preparing for the ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional or SAF Certified Urban & Community Forester credential? This half-day course with Paul Ries of Insightful Nature LLC combines scenario-based learning, practice questions, and test-taking strategies.
Separate registration required.
Welcome Party
Wednesday, October 28 | 6:00–9:00 PM
Sponsored by FedEx Cares
Arrive early and kick off the conference with a casual evening of networking, tree-community connections, and a nature-themed costume contest.
RSVP through conference registration.
Affiliated & Partner Events
Local organizations are welcome to host affiliated events during the week leading up to the conference. If your organization is planning a tour, workshop, volunteer activity, social event, or other gathering that may be of interest to conference attendees, let us know. TUFC may be able to promote the event or link to registration information as part of conference week.
Conference Location & Lodging
Conference Venue
Memphis Botanic Garden
Set among 96 acres of gardens and mature trees in the heart of Audubon Park, the Memphis Botanic Garden provides a fitting and beautiful setting for Tennessee’s urban forestry community.
Conference programming will primarily take place in the Goldsmith Room within MBG’s Conference Center and Sarah’s Place, with additional opportunities to step outdoors for demonstrations, networking, and hands-on learning.
MBG is recognized by TUFC as a Center of Excellence and Level IV Arboretum and serves as the home base for the West Tennessee Chapter of TUFC.
Conference Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Memphis
Conference Group Rate: $142 per night
🌳 Just 2 miles from Memphis Botanic Garden
✈️ Complimentary airport shuttle
🚗 Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi
5069 Sanderlin Avenue
Memphis, TN 38117
Support the Conference
Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities
Put your organization in front of Tennessee’s urban and community forestry leaders while helping TUFC deliver high-quality education, networking, and professional development.
Thank You
2026 Conference Partners & Sponsors
Conference Partner
Tennessee Division of Forestry
Local Partners
Memphis Botanic Garden
West TN Chapter of TUFC
Sponsors
Title Sponsor & Welcome Party Sponsor
FedEx Cares
White Oak Sponsors
President’s Reception Sponsor
Davey Resource Group & Davey Tree
Awards Luncheon Sponsor
Sponsorship available
Magnolia Sponsors
Sponsors coming soon
Dogwood Sponsors
Sponsors coming soon
Ready to Raise the Canopy?
Join Tennessee’s tree community in Memphis this October.