Urban and community forestry now plays an important role in how the State of Maryland approaches climate resilience, public health, environmental justice, and community development. Programs like 5 Million Trees, the Community Forestry Catalyst Fund, expanded technical assistance, and new partnerships reflect a broader shift in how urban forestry is valued and supported across the state.

This presentation focuses on that present-day work: the opportunities, challenges, partnerships, and institutional changes driving Maryland's evolving urban forestry landscape. It also places those efforts within the longer history of the Maryland Forest Service and the state's broader tradition of forestry leadership and innovation. Rather than treating today's momentum as a departure from the past, the presentation explores how Maryland's growing emphasis on urban and community forestry continues a longer legacy of pioneering forestry work, adapted to a new era of public priorities and community needs.

Tree inventories are essential for managing diverse urban forests. Yet, their creation and upkeep remain time-intensive and resource-limited. Vehicle-mounted LiDAR and 360° imagery combined with AI is transforming fieldwork efficiency, while highlighting that technology doesn’t replace arborists; it amplifies their expertise. This session explores how AI-assisted mobile imaging captures key attributes, such as tree location, diameter, height and crown spread. We will discuss which characteristics AI struggles to assess consistently and how arborists can interpret this data responsibly.

This presentation will discuss how automation enables experts to redirect efforts toward nuanced tasks, such as diagnosing tree health, assessing risk, and advising on urban forest management.

This session explores how urban forestry leaders can partner effectively with school districts and collaborate across agencies to expand equitable tree canopy and green schoolyards. Drawing on the work of Children & Nature Network and its community partners, the session highlights how nature-rich school grounds—often a significant share of urban open space—can serve as hubs for climate resilience, student well-being, and neighborhood greening.

In addition, this session will highlight evidence and examples centered on benefits to children and communities, showcase strong partnerships and compelling case studies, and share strategies for aligning with school district priorities.

The growing recognition of nature as a critical component of physical and mental health is reshaping approaches to public health and community well-being. Research continues to demonstrate that access to trees, parks, and green space can reduce stress, improve overall health outcomes, and help address chronic disease. At the forefront of this movement is Dr. Robert Zarr, physician, researcher, and founder and CEO of Park Rx America (PRA), a nonprofit working to integrate nature into healthcare systems.

In this session, Dr. Zarr will share insights from more than 15 years of advancing the Park Rx model, which encourages healthcare providers to prescribe time in nature as part of patient care. He will reflect on PRA’s growth from its origins in the National Capital Region to a nationwide initiative, highlighting key accomplishments, ongoing challenges, and emerging research.

Dr. Zarr will also discuss current collaborations with healthcare providers, arborists, community organizations, and nature therapy practitioners to expand equitable access to green space. These efforts underscore the interconnected benefits of urban forestry and public health for both people and the environment.

Tom Hill of the UK’s Ancient Tree Forum brings the unique experience of studying and advocating for the protection of ancient and veteran trees—those recognized for their exceptional age, size, ecological value, and cultural significance. In the UK, “ancient” and “veteran” are formal designations used by arborists to guide conservation and management practices for these irreplaceable living structures.

In this session, Tom will introduce the biology and life strategies that allow these trees to persist for centuries, from adaptive growth patterns to natural retrenchment processes. Drawing on examples, such as churchyard yews thought to pre-date Christianity to the 1,000-year-old Major Oak at Sherwood Forest, he will explain how observing long-lived trees can reshape modern approaches to urban forestry.

Participants will gain practical insights into low-intervention management, risk perception, and how to support tree longevity in changing environments, grounded in the Ancient Tree Forum’s guiding principle: avoiding unnecessary harm while working with, rather than against, natural processes.

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As storms intensify and climate conditions shift, conversations around trees are increasingly shaped by concerns about risk, safety, and liability. This session explores how “tree disservices”—including storm damage and perceived hazards—affect community attitudes, insurance practices, and urban canopy goals.

Featuring insights from the Auburn University Storm Damage study and real-world case studies, presenters will examine how individuals assess risk when planting and maintaining trees, and how those perceptions intersect with equity, policy, and insurance pressures. Participants will gain strategies for communicating more effectively with residents, partners, and industry stakeholders, aligning risk management with sound arboricultural practices, and supporting communities in making informed, balanced decisions about urban greening.