Urban Forestry
Urban Forestry
Program Highlights
This micro-credential series will give you foundational knowledge and practical skills in four different areas of Urban Forestry: the natural environment, sector technology, communications and tree care.
Courses in this series can be taken individually. The full set of micro-credential courses gives you a broad range of skills.
Courses focusing on overall skills in this natural sector include hands-on skills in soil assessment, habitat management to support wildlife, forest ecology, the use of greenspaces in stormwater management and urban forest sustainability, including Indigenous perspectives of land use and social benefits of greenspaces.
Those interested in technology will gain greater skills through courses focusing on ARC GIS, Google Maps, Excel Skills, AutoCAD and digital collections tools and discover how these are used to support the Urban Forestry sector.
Micro-credential courses in Communications for the Urban Forest sector include report-writing skills for arborists, basics of social media marketing, basics of web design, insights into the legislations that govern Urban Forestry and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action as they relate to Urban Forestry.
Skill-focussed micro-credential courses in tree care include an analysis of the biomechanics of trees, decay detection, including CODIT (the compartmentalization of decay in trees), advanced tree pruning and tree installation techniques.
Once you have completed a micro-credential course you will be asked to complete a Training Report form, which will be shared with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). You will also receive a digital printable certificate.
Delivery
This program is delivered online asynchronously with no specific class time, which gives you the flexibility to login on your own time to complete the course requirements. Within the online asynchronous modules, you will be required to participate in hands-on activities, labs, and workshops within your home and surrounding environment. Each course takes about 4 hours to complete.
Is this for you?
A knowledge of the Urban Forestry sector is required to navigate these courses, which are designed to refresh or advance your skills in Urban Forestry. They would also be beneficial for arborists, landscapers, horticulturalists, tree care professionals and other forestry-related positions who are currently underemployed or unemployed and looking to enhance their skills.
Admission Requirements
Participants must be 19 years of age or older or possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or its equivalent.
Courses in Urban Forestry
Details and registration below
Urban Forestry Microcredential Stream 4: Tree Care
- Advanced Tree Pruning (UFNE016)
- Tree Installation Techniques (UFNE017)
- Tree Biology (UFNE018)
- Decay Detection Tools (UFNE019)
- Tree Mechanics (UFNE020)
Urban Forestry Microcredential Stream 3: Communications
- Arborist Report Writing (UFNE011)
- Social Media as a Marketing Tool (UFNE012)
- Basics of Web Design (UFNE013)
- Legislation in Urban Forestry (UFNE014)
- Indigenous Perspectives and Reconciliation (UFNE015)
Urban Forestry Microcredential Stream 2: Technology
- Introduction to Arc GIS (UFNE006)
- Introduction to Google Maps (UFNE007)
- Applied Microsoft Excel Skills (UFNE008)
- Introduction to AutoCAD (UFNE009)
- Digital data collection tools (UFNE010)
Urban Forestry Micro-credential Stream 1: Natural Environment
- Urban Soils Assessment (UFNE001)
- Wildlife Habitat Management (UFNE002)
- Forest Ecology Introduction (UFNE003)
- Stormwater Management (UFNE004)
- Sustainable Urban Forests (UFNE005)
Urban Forestry Microcredential Stream 4: Tree Care
Advanced Tree Pruning
UFNE016
Beyond the basics, pruning limbs 'not in the textbook', pruning different scenarios, nursery techniques, different ages, structural, etc specialty pruning, pollarding, espalier, etc.
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Tree Installation Techniques
UFNE017
Selection of quality stock, different root methods, common errors and consequences of errors, current planting standards
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Tree Biology
UFNE018
CODIT, wood biology and how it relates to tree growth and tree defense
Decay Detection Tools
UFNE019
Use of tomograph, resistograph, hand tools for decay detection, different fungal patterns, fungus types, white rot, brown rot, etc.
Tree Mechanics
UFNE020
Biomechanics of trees, identification of good structure, poor structure, susceptibility to failure, mitigation
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Urban Forestry Microcredential Stream 3: Communications
Arborist Report Writing
UFNE011
Methods of report writing, context, audience, length, parts of a report, page setup, professionalism
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Social Media as a Marketing Tool
UFNE012
Different platforms, branding, ettiquette, using social media well, building your brand.
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Basics of Web Design
UFNE013
Professional websites, DIY and professional, getting your website found, best practices for web design
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Legislation in Urban Forestry
UFNE014
By laws, acts relevant to Forestry and Urban Forestry, and Arboriculture
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Indigenous Perspectives and Reconciliation
UFNE015
Where TRC calls to action fit within our profession, everyday lives, how to give a land acknowledgement and why, whose traditional land you are on, consultation, Indigenous land ethic and ways of knowing and how it can relate to UF
Choose a course date
Urban Forestry Microcredential Stream 2: Technology
Introduction to Arc GIS
UFNE006
In this introductory GIS (Geographic Information Systems) course, students will explore GIS concepts and applications through video demonstrations, and ArcGIS online exercises using ESRI ArcGIS software. Students will come to understand the value of GIS mapping software in the urban forestry environment and the role these types of software play in managing risk assessment, planning and much more.
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Introduction to Google Maps
UFNE007
This course will introduce students to some of the functionality of Google Maps. As a free online navigation tool, Google Maps is used by millions of users daily around the world. Students use navigation tools, measuring tools and route planning. Students will explore the relations ships between Map views, satellite views, Google Earth and Google My Maps options when internet access isn't available.
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Applied Microsoft Excel Skills
UFNE008
This micro-credential focuses on getting you started with the basics of Microsoft Excel, from the ground up. Students will learn about the fundamentals of Excel, including the terminology, and will build on these skills to be able to carry out some useful functions within Excel. In the course you will learn how to input data and information into a worksheet, how to analyze, organize, and manipulate the date, as well as how to present everything in an accessible and appealing manner. At the end of the course, you should come out with some fundamental Excel skills, including using formulas and creating charts and diagrams to make you a more efficient professional.
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Introduction to AutoCAD
UFNE009
In this course students through a series of videos, and demonstrations will develop a better understanding of how AutoCAD and CAD systems in general are used in Urban Forestry and Planning environments. Students will examine Engineer produced AutoCAD Site Plans to evaluate existing infrastructure and better understanding complications which can develop during the planning process.
Digital data collection tools
UFNE010
This course will focus on file data collection tools and devices and how the collected data can be stored electronically, displayed on a mapping platform or shared with other stakeholders. Students will examine popular apps which can be used for navigation and the collection of qualitative and quantitative data. Students will download the Field Maps app to their personal device and see how it interacts with ArcGIS.
Urban Forestry Micro-credential Stream 1: Natural Environment
Urban Soils Assessment
UFNE001
This micro-credential introduces key features and principles of soil assessments that can be completed in the field. Students learn skills to assess and interpret urban soil properties such as profile, texture, colour interpretation, compaction and drainage.
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Wildlife Habitat Management
UFNE002
This course examines the importance of urban greenspaces as vital habitat for wildlife. Life history, behaviour and habits of will be examined. Students will learn some key habitat identification features and methods of enhancing and promoting habitat to better support wildlife and the ways that humans and wildlife in the urban environment co-exist.
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Forest Ecology Introduction
UFNE003
This course focuses on trees as a community and how they interact with one another, other associates, and the environment. Students will learn about natural factors that influence the establishment and growth of trees individually and in communities. These factors will be further investigated, looking at how they influence the future development of plant communities and forests according to the principles of succession.
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Stormwater Management
UFNE004
This micro-credential introduces stormwater best management practices including, water inception and runoff mediation using greenspaces. Students will also learn skills in the basic concepts of water quality analysis and suitable plant species for remediation.
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Sustainable Urban Forests
UFNE005
This micro-credential introduces the pillars of sustainability, including Indigenous perspectives of land use, personal and social benefits derived from green urban infrastructure. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on analyzing ways in which to achieve greener tree care practices.
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