The Seattle Urban Forestry Commission (UFC) is actively seeking individuals with a passion for urban forestry and community engagement to fill several open positions. According to details released on their website, the commission is searching for new members to contribute to the care and management of the city's tree canopy, which is particularly vital for communities hit hardest by climate change and limited canopy coverage.
Available roles include a wildlife biologist, a natural resource agency or university representative, an arborist, a landscape design or architecture expert who is ISA certified, an environmental justice representative, and a public health representative. These positions aim to bring together a diverse array of perspectives to collectively work to effectively create a holistic understanding of Seattle's urban forest.
The Urban Forestry Commission was established in 2009 with the goal of advising Seattle's Mayor and City Council on policies and regulations concerning the city's greenery. As part of its mandate, the UFC makes recommendations on budgeting, management approaches, and objectives for Seattle's urban forestry efforts. The commission plays a key role in aiding the city to achieve its goal of reaching 30 percent canopy cover by 2037—an endeavor underscored by the findings of the 2021 Tree Canopy Assessment, which revealed a slight decline in canopy cover.
Individuals interested in applying for the Seattle UFC must live or work in the city, are expected to serve without compensation, and should be prepared to roughly dedicate eight to ten hours per month to Commission duties. Meetings are scheduled once a month, on the second Wednesday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The commission's efforts are crucial in the pursuit of expanding Seattle's tree canopy, which currently stands at 28.1 percent, down by 0.5 percent since 2016, as reported by the Forestry Commission.
