A member of the UCFS Young
and Emerging Professionals (YEP)
Committee, Savannah Winstanley
is the Ecosystem & Asset Analyst at
the City of Winter Haven, Florida.
I was drawn to forestry even before I knew what that
meant, having always wanted to be outside and seek
out quiet wooded areas. I earned my bachelor's degree
in Environmental Studies from New College of Florida.
Originally intending to be an English Literature major
and seek a career in journalism, I fell in love with the
environmental classes and quickly switched majors.
Though short, I credit the three-month stint I did with
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Colorado for cementing
my desire to work in the environmental field, as well as
establishing the groundwork for effective teamwork.
I began working with the City of Winter Haven, Florida
shortly after graduating, and have since found a twin
passion in natural resources and urban planning. While
large, old-growth forests are incredible and awe-inspiring
and a conservation priority, I saw a real and growing
need to learn how to design urban areas with natural
systems in mind so we don't lose all the benefits and
joy nature provides in the areas in which we live and
work. It has been very rewarding to work in local gov-
ernment as you see the fruits of your labor affecting the
quality of life for people in a fairly short time frame.
I credit a lot of my success to supportive leadership
and mentors within the organization. One of my former
supervisors came from a forestry background and was
very helpful in providing opportunities for professional
development and pursuing my interest in urban forestry
as someone without an educational background in it. For
the future, I plan to pursue a master's degree in Natural
Resources Administration & Planning with the University
I am fortunate to have been
a part of the 2023 Municipal
Forestry Institute and still
use the LinkedIn page
from our class frequently.
People ask questions there
and get responses and
support, it's dynamic.
38 CityTREES
