Advocate for your profession to shape our larger world.
To shape society according to your generations needs'
and values, you'll need to proactively participate
and contribute to it. Be a role model to the peers of
your generation by supporting advocacy efforts that
reflect your values and the values of your profession.
Write your elected officials, vote, march, volunteer,
and show up on a regular basis. Find a small but
meaningful ongoing advocacy activity and perform
it consistently over a long period of time. Become a
board member of a professional group, volunteer to
manage the registration desk at your local conference,
or find your own unique way to contribute to society
(beyond your regular job) in a meaningful way.
When I was working for NYC Parks, I attended, on
my own time, community engagement meetings in
my neighborhood, Greenpoint (Brooklyn), around
how oil-spill restitution dollars could be used to
the community's benefit. I and my colleagues, like
James Kaechele and Sophie Plitt, advocated for the
money to go towards tree planting, and millions of
dollars eventually did. Our [volunteer] presence there
really mattered and was well worth the time we
invested. As a bonus, I met other like-minded leaders
in my community and received many other invita-
tions and opportunities for local activism efforts.
Joining your state urban forest council, the Society
of Municipal Arborists, and other professional trade
groups are great ways to connect to advocacy efforts.
Also consider attending the Municipal Forestry Institute
(MFI), a weeklong leadership training that includes
curriculum about advocating for our profession. I
attended MFI in 2010 and it inspired and prepared
me to take on more responsibility at work as well as
with the New York State Urban Forestry Council. I
call it the "Jedi School" because it taught me ways to
effectively catalyze change and overcome obstacles
despite the constraints and conditions of everyday life
and work situations (limited resources, interpersonal
challenges, etc). Both Jedis and urban foresters can
overcome incredible obstacles and achieve great things
by aligning their hearts and minds and seeking the
right training and tools to achieve their intentions. >>
Celebrating with Oakland kids after Arbor Day tree planting.
www.urban-forestry.com 15
