Hands-On Experiences

^{Bus Tour | 12:30 p.m.}

Explore one of St. Louis’s most iconic parks. This tour moves through multiple locations in Forest Park with discussions to highlight how urban forest management and tree care decisions are made when resources, timelines, and public expectations intersect. The tour also features the Nature Playscape as a case study in inclusive design, demonstrating how accessibility, equity, and community use are shaping long-term park planning. Expect a mix of on-site learning and group discussion focused on lessons in urban forestry that translate to other urban landscapes.

^{Bus Tour | 12:15 p.m.}

See how urban forestry supports community resilience in neighborhoods facing long-standing inequities. This tour examines how communities with the greatest need can be connected with food access, workforce development, and storm recovery through two distinct sites. At the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, explore how urban agriculture and tree planting intersect with job training and youth engagement. Then, shift to O’Fallon Park to understand how tornado recovery unfolds in a residential context—where decisions about cleanup, replanting, and investment directly impact communities. Throughout the tour, conversations focus on partnerships, long-term stewardship, and how urban forestry can contribute to healthier, more equitable neighborhoods.

^{Bus Tour | 12:40 p.m.}

Follow the full lifecycle of urban trees — from propagation to long-term stewardship — across two sites that represent the beginning and longevity of the urban forest. At Forest ReLeaf Nursery and Arboretum, a Level II arboretum, gain insight into tree growing operations and how to leverage volunteers and partnerships. Learn how a volunteer-supported nursery operation can result in high quality plants and meaningful public engagement, both critical components to future tree planting success. Then, visit Bellefontaine Cemetery, a Level III arboretum, to see how decades of intentional care shape mature landscapes. Together, these stops illustrate the science, planning, and sustained investment behind a resilient urban canopy, offering a rare look at both early-stage production and long-established tree systems.

^{Bus Tour | 1 p.m.}

Discover how trees function as critical infrastructure in park design, flood mitigation, and watershed planning. This tour highlights how municipalities and partners integrate urban forestry into multi-benefit projects that balance recreation, ecology, and resilience. At Brentwood Park, explore how green infrastructure and tree planting are used to manage flooding while supporting active public use. At Tower Grove Park, examine how a historic landscape is being adapted to address climate pressures while maintaining its character and programming. Across both sites, the tour emphasizes collaboration, design trade-offs, and lessons for managing urban forests in complex, high-use environments.

^{Walking Tour | 12:45 p.m.}

Walk through multiple distinct downtown landscapes to see how urban forestry improves livability at different scales. Learn about Citygarden, where trees and planting design create shade, manage stormwater, and support everyday use in a compact, highly programmed park. Visit Gateway Arch National Park, where a large-scale redesign expanded green space, improved connectivity, and reinforced the role of landscape as infrastructure. Along the way, learn how planting strategies, maintenance considerations, and site design contribute to cooling, resilience, and public access in a dense urban environment. You'll also see how a commitment to urban renewal and establishing a green corridor in the heart of the city can elevate visitor experience.

^{Indoor Workshop | Time: 1 p.m.}

Gain practical insight into working with FEMA during disaster recovery. Staff from St. Louis Forestry share firsthand experience following the tornado impacts throughout the city — covering coordination with federal agencies, documentation requirements, funding pathways, and on-the-ground challenges. This conversation highlights what worked, what didn’t, and how to prepare your program before disaster strikes.

^{Indoor Workshop | Time: 1 p.m.}

Explore strategies for reaching and supporting communities of greatest need through urban forestry programs. This session centers on community-led design and unbiased access. Discussion will focus on partnerships, removing barriers to participation, and creating spaces that reflect the needs and experiences of diverse residents. Hear lessons about how Beyond Housing, City of Crestwood, City of St. Peters, and Missouri Department of Conservation  — through partnerships and local programs — plant, maintain, and manage trees to restore canopy and create healthier, more resilient communities across the St. Louis region.

^{Indoor Workshop | Time: 1 p.m.}

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an environmental education resource that helps educators use trees and forests to teach youth how to think about complex environmental issues. It offers adaptable lesson plans and activities for all ages, suitable for classrooms, informal learning, and community programs. This interactive session provides hands-on practice with three PLT activities you can immediately use to lead engaging workshops. Designed for all ages and aligned with existing standards, PLT is a flexible tool for PreK–12 educators, informal learning settings, and community outreach.