The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) is ded-
icated to building the confidence, competence
and camaraderie of all professionals who manage
trees and forests to create and sustain more
livable communities. The professional members
who make up SMA represent a global network of
premier urban and municipal foresters who make
critical tree planting and care decisions each day.
The decisions they make have a profound impact
on where and how trees are sited, planted, and
maintained for environmental improvement and
green infrastructure, ultimately leading to healthy,
resilient communities for people and the planet.
The science, practice, and profile of urban and
municipal forestry has advanced and matured,
revealing the need for review and assessment of
credentialing in the industry. The SMA along with
our long-term partner, the International Society
of Arboriculture (ISA), are working together to
evaluate and elevate the ISA Certified Arborist
Municipal Specialist credential to better represent
the full spectrum of practitioners and profes-
sionals across all industry sectors. This evaluation
will occur in mid-2023 through early 2024. This
collaboration supports SMA's core vision and
strategic plan of empowering all professionals
who cultivate community trees and forests.
SMA fully supports the professionalization of
urban forestry. Since 1964, SMA has been the
professional organization to host conferences
and discussion forums, hold a code of ethics, and
help professionals network. For the profession
of urban forestry and municipal arboricul-
ture to grow, SMA desires and will support:
• More trained managers of trees in commu-
nities of all sizes with education obtained
through traditional degree programs,
apprenticeships, and other formats
• Cities to create one or more positions
dedicated to managing urban trees
• An inclusive, rigorous, and consummate
credential for urban forest practitioners
• City decision-makers to prioritize hiring indi-
viduals who have or can achieve certification
• Public/private partnerships between
urban foresters in all industry sectors
• More diversity among urban forestry
practitioners including more people of
color, women, and others who have
been historically underrepresented
• Opportunities for professional development,
career advancement, and a career pipeline
that supports the people managing trees and
builds public recognition of the practice
SMA is actively working alongside all organizations
within the urban forestry industry as key deci-
sions are made that will impact SMA's members
and the profession as a whole. Look to SMA to
keep you updated throughout the year. We are
eager to help our members do what they do best
- plant and care for trees and urban forests!
SMA actively engages in discussions around
urban and municipal forestry credentials
urban-forestry.com 5
SMA, along with its partner the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), will work
together on the Job Task Analysis (JTA) for the ISA Municipal Specialist credential where
the tasks, knowledge, and skills necessary for the credential will be evaluated. Anyone
interested in volunteering for this analysis can indicate their interest on this form.
