OTTAWA, ON — The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is partnering with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) to develop the Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Career Guide— a global career resource highlighting professionals in arboriculture and urban forestry.
“ISA is proud to partner with SFI and PLT Canada to bring the Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Career Guide to life,” said Caitlyn Pollihan, CEO and Executive Director of ISA. “By highlighting real professionals, the guide will inspire future arborists and urban foresters while demonstrating the value of ISA credentials in building a skilled, engaged, and diverse workforce.”
The photo features, in order from left to right: Jamie Vidich, Director of Educational Products and Services of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA); Caitlyn Pollihan, CEO & Executive Director of ISA; Kathy Abusow, President & CEO of SFI; Meg Hanna, Director or Urban and Community Forestry for SFI; and Tara Costanzo, Outreach and Education Lead of ISA.
This project was announced by Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI and PLT Canada, and Meg Hanna, Director of Urban and Community Forestry, at the ISA’s 2025 Annual International Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand. During the conference, Meg and Kathy led an interactive session that highlighted SFI and PLT Canada’s career guides, demonstrating how the guides expand access to green careers and foster inclusion and professional development. Attendees provided feedback on specific careers and skills to feature, such as ISA Certified Tree Climber Certification and soft skills like communication and critical thinking, to support young people’s knowledge of in-demand jobs and abilities. They also identified limited awareness and understanding of the field to be the biggest challenge for new professionals.
“We are thrilled to partner with ISA to share the many pathways that exist in arboriculture and urban forestry! This guide will build on the success of previous SFI career resources that have been developed to inspire different audiences and promote exciting careers in diverse areas of the forest and conservation sector,” said Abusow. These past resources include Thinking Outside the Box: Exploring Careers in Corrugated Packaging, Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers, and A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada: Voices of Indigenous Professionals.
The ISA/SFI/PLT Canada Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Career Guide will feature profiles of ISA members, credential holders and other professionals in the sector. The guide will share their career journeys, educational backgrounds, and advice for newcomers. It will also include fact sheets detailing key skills and pathways to ISA credentials, including ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional, ISA Certified Tree Cimber, ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist.
By highlighting real career journeys and clear pathways to professional credentials, the ISA/SFI/PLT Canada Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Career Guide will help both organizations expand global awareness of green careers, strengthen the arboriculture and urban forestry community, and cultivate the next generation of leaders committed to sustainable forest management. It aligns closely with ISA’s 2040 Strategic Vision to be a more diverse, dynamic, and inclusive global organization of professionals connecting trees, the environment, and society. ISA is committed to embracing the diversity of the arboriculture profession; being dynamic by evolving to meet the changing needs of its members and the profession; and being inclusive by ensuring that all members and stakeholders feel seen, supported, and empowered.
This new career resource reflects a longstanding partnership between ISA and SFI to elevate sustainable urban forests and the professionals who care for them. ISA was one of the five partners who supported the development of the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard, the world’s first forest standard for communities. And through SFI’s 2025–2030 Strategic Direction, PLT and PLT Canada have a focus on education and supporting a forest and conservation workforce that is more representative of society through increased awareness of careers in the sector and highlighting diverse professionals and pathways.
ABOUT SFI
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. We are an independent, nonprofit organization that leverages four interconnected pillars of work: standards, conservation, community, and education. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. Collaborating with our network, we leverage SFI-certified forests and products as powerful tools to help solve sustainability challenges such as climate action, conservation of biodiversity, education of future generations, and sustainable economic development.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Leduc
VP, Communications and Government Relations
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
613-706-1114
media@forests.org
About ISA
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., U.S., is an international nonprofit professional organization dedicated to promoting the importance of arboriculture and educating the public about the significance of trees and the value of their proper care. As part of ISA’s advancing the arboriculture profession, it offers the only internationally‐recognized certification program in the industry, including ISA Certified Arborist®. For more information about ISA and Certified Arborists, visit www.isa-arbor.com.
