Reimagine. Restore. Regrow.
Learn from our outstanding lineup of industry leading experts on their research and contributions to the field of urban forestry, conservation, and environmental sciences. Plus, meet with other industry leaders and organizations, tour the exhibition hall to meet local partners, sponsors, and vendors, and network with other urban forestry professionals throughout the day.
Highlights from last year’s Urban Tree Summit – the speakers, sessions, and community moments that brought our shared mission to life. Read the full story to see how it all came together.
Reserve Your Spot
Tickets are now available for purchase for the in-person conference day and field sessions. Identification will be checked at the door. Ticket rate is per person. All raised funds support this event.
Urban Tree Summit Agenda
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard
with Dr. Doug Tallamy
Recent headlines about global insect declines, the impending extinction of one million species worldwide, and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. Such losses are not an option if we wish to continue our current standard of living on Planet Earth. The good news is that none of this is inevitable. Dr. Tallamy will discuss simple steps that each of us can - and must - take to reverse declining biodiversity on our own properties and will explain why we, ourselves, are nature’s best hope.
Dr. Doug Tallamy
Dr. Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 115 research publications and has taught insect-related courses for 45 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities.
Dr. Tallamy's books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature's Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller, The Nature of Oaks, winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award, and his latest book How Can I Help. In 2021, he cofounded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari. His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America, The Herb Society, and The American Horticultural Association.
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Urban Conservation Panel: Planning for a Forested Future
with Kelly Collins Choi, Matt Gerhart, and Mia Rothberg
Join three leading voices in urban land conservation as they share insights from conservation planning and land stewardship across the DMV. Kelly Collins Choi from Casey Trees (Washington, DC), Matt Gerhart from the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (Virginia), and Mia Rothberg from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (Maryland) will engage in a dynamic panel discussion on the challenges and successes of preserving urban canopy and conserving land across their respective jurisdictions. The panelists will explore the interplay between private and public efforts, highlighting the diversity of landholders—from homeowners to large institutions—and the array of mechanisms available to protect open spaces and mature trees. Attendees will learn about innovative strategies for land conservation, including partnerships, policy advocacy, community engagement, and direct stewardship. Through real-world examples and collaborative dialogue, this session will offer actionable ideas for advancing tree preservation and land conservation in diverse urban and suburban settings.
Kelly Collins Choi
Kelly Collins Choi is the Director of Policy and Land Conservation at Casey Trees, a leading nonprofit dedicated to restoring, enhancing, and protecting the tree canopy across the National Capital Region.
Kelly holds over 15 years of experience in land conservation, climate adaptation, and natural resource planning, with previous roles at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Kelly is committed to advancing equitable access to urban green spaces and advocating for policies that support resilient, healthy communities, and is passionate about community-based environmental work and serves as Board Co-Chair for Wangari Gardens in Washington, DC. Kelly holds a Master's Degree in Energy and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maryland.
Matt Gerhart
Matt Gerhart is the team lead for Northern Virginia Conservation Trust's land conservation program, guiding their strategic conservation plan and supporting projects throughout the Trust’s 15-jurisdiction, 2.2-million-acre service area.
Matt joined the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) five years ago after serving as San Francisco Bay Area Program Manager for the California State Coastal Conservancy, where he led a multi-million-dollar program to protect natural resources, improve public access, enhance climate resiliency, and conserve the Bay Area’s working lands. Matt also previously worked with the Mendocino Land Trust and as a conservation planner and researcher working on urban and rural conservation projects throughout northern California. He holds a Master’s Degree in Geography from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor’s Degree from Yale University.
Mia Rothberg
Mia Rothberg is a Forest Conservation Planner with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), where she plays a central role in advancing Montgomery County’s environmental and tree planting initiatives.
At the Montgomery County Planning Department, Mia is the primary contact for several programs, including Reforest Montgomery and the Forest Conservation Fund, which support reforestation and tree planting on both public and private properties throughout the county. Mia's work involves coordinating site and species selection, guiding community participation, and managing partnerships to expand urban and rural tree canopies. Mia is a graduate of Macalester College with a Bachelor's Degree in environmental studies, statistics, and Latin American studies.
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Empowering Communities & Advancing Environmental Justice through Tree Planting & Public Science
with Dr. Lemir Teron
Dr. Lemir Teron will lead a session exploring how communities can collaborate to address the persistent legacies of environmental inequality in urban landscapes. Drawing from his 2024 Urban Forestry and Environmental Justice Playbook, Dr. Teron will discuss how historical patterns of urban design have led to uneven tree canopies, inequitable access to the benefits of urban forests and broader environmental inequality. The session will emphasize community-centered approaches, demonstrating how public science initiatives can empower residents to take an active role in shaping communities. Attendees will learn practical strategies for buildingcoalitions, engaging diverse stakeholders, and promoting environmental equity through tree planting and ecological protection. By highlighting successful case studies and actionable tools, Dr. Teron will inspire participants to challenge existing power structures and work toward more resilient, inclusive urban ecosystems that prioritize both ecological and human health while advancing environmental justice.
Dr. Lemir Teron
Dr. Lemir Teron is an associate professor at Howard University in the Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity. He holds a PhD in Energy & Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware and completed a NOAA-funded postdoc at Florida A&M University, where he also taught at the College of Law. Dr. Teron has received numerous accolades, including being awarded the 2019 Distinguished Faculty Member for Teaching Excellence Award by the SUNY ESF Undergraduate Student Association, being named a 2020 Unsung Hero at Syracuse University's 35th Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, and being awarded a 2022 Champion of Diversity award by the YWCA of Syracuse and Onondaga County (NY). He was named a 2022-2023 Nathan Policy Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
Dr. Teron's work is dedicated to advancing public science and environmental justice, with research interests that include environmental health, energy policy, and urban and community forestry.
12:00 PM - 1:20 PM
Lunch
The conference will break for an hour and a half, allowing attendees to enjoy lunch at the numerous options available nearby in downtown Silver Spring.
Limited tickets will also be available for a lunch session with Dr. Doug Tallamy that includes a tour of nearby gardens and green spaces. He will discuss observed species, comment on design, and answer questions from participants.
1:30 - 2:20 PM
From Waste to Worth: Baltimore’s Urban Wood Reuse Revolution at Camp Small
with Shaun Preston
Join Shaun Preston, Recycling Coordinator for Baltimore City’s Forestry Division, for an inspiring session on urban wood reuse and recycling. Shaun will share how Baltimore City transformed a former “stump dump” into a national model for repurposing felled trees and wood waste. Through the Camp Small initiative, thousands of tons of wood—including storm-damaged and diseased trees—are diverted from landfills and incinerators, instead being crafted into lumber, mulch, furniture, and even playgrounds. Preston will discuss the innovative partnerships, creative problem-solving, and community engagement that have made the program a success, as well as the environmental and economic benefits of urban wood utilization. Attendees will learn practical strategies for launching similar programs and discover how cities can turn a costly waste stream into a valuable community asset.
Shaun Preston
Shaun Preston is the Recycling Coordinator for Baltimore City’s Forestry Division and Yardmaster of Baltimore’s Camp Small. In this position, he began the City’s urban wood recycling program, which aims to capture the highest value from the materials collected at Camp Small. He has helped to transform Camp Small from a “Stump Dump” to a program that repurposes over 1000 tons of material each year.
Shaun is a Maryland native, who as a child developed a love for being in the woods. He has a degree from Stetson University in fine art. Prior to his role at Camp Small, Shaun spent a decade working in Baltimore as an artist, carpenter, metal fabricator, museum curator, and bartender. He enjoys fishing, playing games, making things, taking hikes, cooking food, playing music, rooting for the O’s, and going camping—all of which are made better with friends and family.
2:30 - 3:20 PM
Selecting Tree Species and Building Tree Communities for Climate Resilience and Ecosystem Services in Cities
with Dr. Karin T. Burghardt
To meet ambitious canopy goals in cities, trees not only need to be installed successfully, but also must survive (and hopefully thrive!) long enough to contribute to ecosystem services. An additional challenge for urban foresters is that heat and pavement are not evenly distributed within cities. This leads to areas of differential stress and future climate exposure for tree species, both when they are planted and after establishment, when they are larger and will contribute to services such as shade, biodiversity support, and stormwater management. Here, I will present results from our lab’s work on urban trees in Baltimore, MD, exploring how tactics of diversification and targeted species selection may build climate and pest resilience into urban tree plantings across urban settings.
Dr. Karin T. Burghardt
Dr. Karin Burghardt is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Entomology Department at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Trained as a community ecologist, she specializes in understanding plant-insect interactions in human-modified landscapes ranging from city streets and suburban yards to abandoned agricultural fields and managed forests. By examining how human management practices impact the support of biodiversity in these spaces, the lab’s research program helps determine best practices for how humans can coexist with a variety of flora and fauna.
Karin received her M.S. and Ph.D in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University, where she studied herbivore-induced defenses in goldenrod plants. Before that, she received a B.S. from the University of Delaware, where she studied the role of native plants in ecosystems.
Field Sessions
September 19, 2025 | 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: TBD - Washington, DC
Digital Media and Storytelling for the Everyday Arborist
with Ana Leilani Ka'ahanui & Brandi Porter
Discover how to elevate your urban forestry work through the power of digital storytelling in this engaging session led by Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui (Co-founder and Visual and Social Media Manager at Capital Nature) and Brandi Porter (Communications and Marketing Manager at Casey Trees). Participants will learn practical techniques for capturing beautiful and impactful photos and videos using just their smartphones, making professional-quality content accessible to everyone. The session will walk through the essentials of visual storytelling, from framing and lighting to editing and sharing, tailored specifically for arborists and tree advocates. Attendees will explore best practices for using these resources in social media posts, newsletters, and other digital platforms to amplify their message and engage their communities. Along with insider tips and recommended apps, the presenters will highlight common pitfalls to avoid and creative strategies to make your content stand out. This session is for those who are new to digital media or those looking to expand their skill set. Afterwards, you’ll be equipped with the tools to tell compelling stories about trees, green spaces, and conservation.
September 26, 2025 | 9:00 am– 3:00 pm
Location: TBD - Montgomery County
Montgomery County Tree Tour
with Joli McCathran & Joe Howard
Join Joli McCathran and Joe Howard on this tour of Montgomery County’s Champion trees. Joli is a member of the Montgomery County Forestry Board and the Champion Tree Coordinator for Montgomery County. Joe is the founder of the Montgomery County Big Tree Registry and is affectionately known as the “Big Tree Man” for his lifelong dedication to championing and educating the public about the region’s largest and oldest trees. Participants will travel by van from location to location to view these champion trees. Lunch will be provided.
Sponsors
For those looking to connect with our audience of arborists, designers, advocates, urban planners, industry professionals, and engaged citizens — consider sponsorship. All sponsorship funds support this event. To see the full list of benefits, and secure your spot today, click the button below. Sponsorships will be accepted until August 30, 2025.
2024 Sponsors
Extending our gratitude to our gracious community partners:
Extension | Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (MAC-ISA)
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be awarded by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), MD Licensed Tree Expert (MD LTE), and Society of American Foresters (SAF). CEUs will be available for each of the field sessions and the in-person conference. The specific number of CEUs for each session will be announced closer to the conference date.
Silver Spring Civic Center
We will be returning to the Silver Spring Civic Center for our full-day conference. The Civic Center is located at 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Parking is available at nearby garages. Public Transportation is readily available as the Silver Spring Metro Station is located about a 10-minute walk from the Civic Center, and there are ample bus routes near the Civic Center.