February 2024 News to Share
News From the Coalition
Did you hear?
SUFC’s 19th Annual Meeting is happening this month!
February 27: Congressional Briefing | Capitol Hill | Washington, DC
February 28: Annual Meeting | UVA Darden Center | Arlington, VA
Collaboration will continue during an evening reception at the Botanic Garden.
Thought-provoking, interactive engagements will allow you to walk away with a renewed perspective and expanded network!
Still need to secure your seat at the table?
Register for the Annual Meeting HERE!
Note: Students’ registration fees are waived.
RSVP for the reception HERE!
NEW MEMBER ALERT
SUFC recently welcomed a new member: AmericanHort! We are excited to officially grant membership to and gain invaluable insight from this organization!
The SUFC Steering Committee invites regional, state, and community organizations to join. The membership dues structure is as follows:

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
A Message from Felipe Benitez of Corazón Latino
Dear Familia,
I am thrilled to share two major accomplishments that underscore our dedication and collective effort toward creating a more sustainable planet.
Firstly, our work with the USDA Forest Service Office of Civil Rights and Forest Health Protection has been honored with a prestigious Anthem Award: Education or Literacy Platform. This accolade recognizes our series of short films that bring to life the voices and experiences of Forest Service employees and partners from Latino, African-American, Native American, and AAPI communities.
These powerful films are set to take center stage at the agency’s Summit in New Mexico.
The Anthem Awards represent a high level of excellence and innovation within the nonprofit sector worldwide, spotlighting those who ignite global change and establish new benchmarks in pivotal realms. Our project was selected from a pool of 2,000 submissions from 44 countries. This year’s winners include AARP, the Clinton Foundation, and projects associated with Taylor Swift and Sir Elton John. Another winner is our good friends at the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
In parallel, Corazón Latino proudly stepped onto the global stage, attending our first official meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This meeting marks our first participation as official partners with consultative status, where we will be actively contributing to global dialogues on climate action, conservation, and ocean protection. Our involvement with the UN amplifies our voice and mission, enabling us to advocate for sustainable change and collaboration at an international level.
These milestones are not just a testament to our organization’s commitment but also a reflection of the collective spirit and support of each member of the Corazón Latino family. Your belief, enthusiasm, and dedication fuel our journey, making each step forward possible. Together, we are not just reaching milestones but setting new standards for impactful work and community-driven change.
Let’s continue to unite our efforts, share our stories, and inspire action for a brighter future.
With immense gratitude,
SUFC Member News
- From Casey Trees’ The Leaflet, “Engaging with our Community”
- Read more: Participation at “Naturally Latinos” Conference in Hyattsville, MD
- “Professional tips and advice for proper winter tree care”
- Read more: Frank Thompson from Davey’s Buffalo office offers advice
- “Trust for Public Land Announces Leadership Transition”
- Read more: President and CEO Diane Regas to Step Down in June
- AmericanHort’s Board Of Directors Applications
- Apply by Feb 16
- American Forests’ 2024 Forests in Focus Photo Contest
- Submit photos by Feb 25
- ISA’s Call for Award Nominations
- Nominate your peers by March 1
- 1t.org’s Forest Trends & Insights Survey
- Complete the 5-minute survey ASAP
2024 Conferences and Events
- NACD 78th Annual Meeting | San Diego, CA | Feb 10-14
- TCIA Winter Management Conference | Puerto Vallarta | Feb 11-15
- NACWA Winter Conference | Austin, TX | Feb 13-16
- PGMS Regional Conference | Durham, NC | March 25-26
- California ReLeaf Network Retreat | Los Angeles, CA | May 10
- SFI Annual Conference | Atlanta, GA | June 4-6
- WHC Conservation Conference | New Orleans, LA | June 4-5
- Natural Areas Conservancy’s Night for Nature | New York, NY | June 25
- Trees & Utilities | Fort Worth, TX | Sept 10-12
- ICMA Annual Conference | Pittsburgh, PA | Sept 21-25
- Plug & Cutting Conference | Orlando, FL | Sept 23-25
- ELEVATE (Presented by NALP) | Charlotte, NC | Nov 3-6
- Partners in Community Forestry Conference | Chicago, IL | Nov 20-21
- ASCA Annual Conference | Tucson, AZ | Dec 4-7
Employment Opportunities
- Director of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) | The Morton Arboretum | Lisle, IL
- Supervisory Research Biologist/Forester/Engineer | USFS Southern Research Station | Auburn, Alabama
- Deputy Forest Supervisor | USFS | various locations
- Botanist | USFS | various locations | for recent grads!
Funding Opportunities
- 2024 Education Grant Program | TREE Fund
- 2024 Research Grant Programs | TREE Fund
RFI: SUFC Members’ Farm Bill Position Statements
The Coalition invites each member organization to craft and submit a concise position statement concerning the Farm Bill.
To learn more and submit a statement, click HERE.
Thoughts? Tips? Coffee recs?
Send feedback and exclusives to Madison Szabo, info@sufc.org.