Penn State Extension Community Forestry Institute Webinars, Learn How To Plan, Manage, Advocate For Public Trees To Strengthen Green Infrastructure, Starting Oct. 27; Other Upcoming Extension Programs

The Penn State Extension Community Forestry Institute will host a series of webinars on Mondays and Wednesdays between October 27 and November 12 on planning and managing the green infrastructure of street trees, parks, and open spaces allows municipalities to maximize the many benefits these assets provide while ensuring their long-term sustainability.

With thoughtful stewardship, public trees and landscapes not only appreciate in value but also return benefits to the community over time. 

The Community Forestry Institute equips municipal shade tree commissions and committees, staff such as managers, arborists, and foresters, as well as community tree advocates and volunteers, with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective management of public trees in Pennsylvania.

Optional homework exercises will allow participants to begin developing a basic framework for a community tree plan tailored to their municipality. 

Participants who choose to complete these exercises will have the option to submit their plans for review by the course instructors and receive individualized feedback. 

A follow-up webinar, scheduled for early December, will serve as a workshop in which participants can share and discuss their community tree plans and receive additional insights and ideas from fellow attendees.

Who is this for?

-- Municipal shade tree commission or committee members, and environmental advisory council members

-- Municipal arborists, foresters, managers, and other staff

-- Community tree advocates and volunteers

What will you learn?

-- The role of shade tree commissions

-- Street tree and other environmental ordinances for managing public trees

-- The role of tree inventories and urban tree canopy assessments

-- How to develop a community forestry plan

-- Managing sidewalk and other conflicts with trees

-- Managing tree risk

-- How community trees serve as green infrastructure

-- How to work within your community, develop community partnerships, and raise funds to support public trees

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.

Upcoming Extension Programs

October 8-- Penn State Extension In-Person Workshop On Managing Invasive Plants, State College, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

October 10-- In-Person. Penn State Extension, PA Farm Bureau Host Energy & Agriculture Conference.  Camp Hill, Cumberland County.

October 14-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar On Landscaping Around Onlot Septic Systems, Noon to 1:30 p.m.  ​

October 15-- In-Person. Penn State Extension Hosts Pest Biocontrol School In Lancaster County. Two sessions 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

October 15-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Land Use Webinar On Green Stormwater Management. Noon to 1:30 p.m.

October 29-- Virtual.  Penn State Extension Webinar On PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ And Fish Consumption. Noon to 1:00 p.m.

November 7-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar On US Geological Survey Water Science Center Water Quality Monitoring Efforts, 11:00 to Noon

November 8-- Virtual. Penn State Extension: Webinar On Discovering Owls Of Pennsylvania With Wildlife Photographer Pamela Dimeler, 10:00 a.m. to Noon

November 11-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar On What Home Buyers Should Know About Onlot Septic Systems During Property Transfers, Noon to 1:30 p.m. 

November 14-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Water Quality Insights Webinar On Floodplain Wetlands.  11:00 to Noon.

November 19-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Land Use Webinar On Using A.I. For Community Planning. Noon to 1:30 p.m.

December 5-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Water Quality Insights Webinar: Watershed Nutrient Management, 11:00 a.m. to Noon

December 17-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Hosts Advice From The Woods - Ask Our Experts! Webinar, Noon to 1:00 p.m.

December 17-- Virtual. Penn State Extension: Forest Farming - Maple Syrup Webinar.  6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

February 6-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar On PA Invasive Species - Plants Fueling Pest Invasions, 1:00 to 2:15 p.m.

[Posted: October 3, 2025]  PA Environment Digest