The Diploma in Tree Management and Urban
Green Areas was conceived due to the impor-
tance of proper management of green spaces
and promoting more sustainable cities. Before
this new program, Chile did not have a compa-
rable professional degree program in this area.
This is how the Faculty of Agricultural and Forest
Sciences, recently renamed the Faculty of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences of the Universidad de La
Frontera (UFRO) (Temuco, IX Region, Chile) became
aware of this need. In accordance with its respon-
sibility as a university to train professionals who
assume a leadership role in how to face current chal-
lenges, both regional and national, UFRO decided
to prepare a high-level, academically rigorous
postgraduate program, with input from different
regions of the country and with the support of the
Chilean College of Engineers and other organiza-
tions such as the Chilean Society of Arboriculture.
This program has been highly valued by the commu-
nity. From the beginning it generated great interest,
receiving a considerable number of applications.
Already in its two successful versions it has trained
35 students who come from the public and private
sectors, including officials from the National Forestry
Corporation, municipalities, and consultants, who
have been grateful and satisfied with the knowledge
delivered by the remarkable body of professors.
Our Diploma is aimed at professionals and techni-
cians who work in areas related to urban planning,
landscaping, construction, and green infrastructure,
among others. It appeals to those who wish to deepen
their knowledge and learn new tools related to tree
management, risk assessment, regulations, adminis-
tration, selection of species, and sustainable urban
planning—all towards the proper management of
urban trees and green areas, with an emphasis on
the promotion and maintenance of ecosystem ser-
vices provided by trees and green areas in cities.
This program had its first version in 2020, in a com-
pletely virtual way due to the uniquely difficult situation
posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the Diploma
in Tree Management and Urban Green Areas was the
first 100% virtual diploma developed by the Faculty,
which posed a great challenge. However, this became
a very good opportunity since in this way it was pos-
sible to have students located in different regions of
Chile, from the Arica & Parinacota Region, to the Aysén
Region. Without a doubt, this enriched the training,
since having professionals from such widespread
regions gave the group different and varied perspec-
tives with respect to trees and urban green areas.
Our long-term goals are to continue contributing to pro-
fessional development in urban trees, generate new
versions of this program, and continue to involve key
players such as municipalities and government institu-
tions. Currently, a new, hybrid version of the course is
being planned that will combine online coursework with
fieldwork. In addition, we would like to eventually open
the course to professionals residing abroad so that we
have ever more international perspectives in the group.
For more information, please see Universidad
de La Frontera and its social media. >>
The central campus of Universidad de La Frontera in
Temuco, Chile. Photo from the UFRO website.
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