Urban Forestry Credential Preparation Course
Pre-Conference Workshop
Urban Forestry Credential Preparation Course
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | Memphis, Tennessee
A half-day preparation course led by Dr. Paul Ries for professionals pursuing the ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional or SAF Certified Urban & Community Forester credential.
Prepare for Urban Forestry Certification Success
In partnership with Insightful Nature LLC, TUFC is offering a focused preparation course for urban & community forestry professionals considering the ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional or SAF Certified Urban & Community Forester exams.
The course brings concepts from both credential frameworks into one practical learning experience. Rather than attempting to teach every topic that may appear on an exam, the workshop is designed to help participants understand exam expectations, identify strengths and knowledge gaps, practice applying key concepts, and build a more effective study strategy.
Review
Reinforce important concepts and terminology from both urban forestry credential frameworks.
Practice
Work through practice questions and scenario-based examples similar to certification exam thinking.
Strategize
Develop study strategies and test-taking approaches that can improve exam readiness.
Course Format
- 4 hours of structured instruction
- Participant workbook included
- Practice exam questions
- Exam strategy modules
- Scenario-based applied learning
What Participants Will Gain
- A clearer understanding of exam structure and expectations
- Review of key concepts and terminology covered by the credential frameworks
- Experience applying urban forestry concepts through scenarios and practice questions
- Tools for identifying personal knowledge gaps and prioritizing study time
- Practical study and test-taking strategies
- A more focused plan for preparing for certification
This is not a memorization course or a substitute for comprehensive exam study. Instead, it is designed to help participants determine what they already know, identify where additional preparation is needed, and approach the certification process more strategically.
Continuing Education
This course has been approved for ISA Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and SAF Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for urban & community forestry professionals preparing for certification or considering a credential in the near future, including municipal and state forestry staff, arborists and consultants, nonprofit community forestry professionals, and students or emerging professionals entering the field.
Course Agenda
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | Registration |
| 12:30 PM | Module 1: Preparing to Pass an Urban Forestry Certification Exam |
| 1:00 PM | Module 2: Urban Forest Planning and Management |
| 1:30 PM | Module 3: Technical Foundations: Arboriculture and Ecosystem Management |
| 2:00 PM | Module 4: Policy, Governance, and Program Administration |
| 2:30 PM | Break |
| 2:45 PM | Module 5: Study Strategies That Will Help You Earn an Urban Forestry Credential |
| 3:00 PM | Module 6: Communications, Education, and Community Engagement |
| 3:30 PM | Module 7: Urban Forestry Operations, Risk, Conflicts, and Emergency Management |
| 4:00 PM | Module 8: Increasing Your Chances of Passing a Certification Exam & Wrap-Up |
| 4:30 PM | Adjourn |
Facilitator
Dr. Paul Ries
Dr. Paul Ries has worked as a practitioner and educator in natural resources, urban forestry, arboriculture, and wildland fire at the state, local, international, nonprofit, and academic levels for more than 35 years.
He teaches urban forestry courses at Oregon State University and provides consulting services and training through Insightful Nature LLC. Paul has helped create innovative urban forestry programs including the Municipal Forestry Institute, Green Communities Leadership Institute, and Tree Board University.
He holds BS and MS degrees in Natural Resources and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership – Curriculum & Instruction. Paul is a Past President of the International Society of Arboriculture, has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 1988, and has been an ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional since 2025.
Stay for the Conference
Make It a Conference Week
This workshop is being held in Memphis the day before the 2026 Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference at Memphis Botanic Garden.
Stay for the Wednesday evening Welcome Party and two days of education, field experiences, technical workshops, municipal and community forestry sessions, and networking with Tennessee’s urban forestry community.
Conference registration is separate from registration for this pre-conference workshop.
Workshop Sponsor
Thank you Rainbow Ecoscience for supporting this pre-conference workshop.
Register for the Workshop
Join us in Memphis for this half-day urban forestry credential preparation course.