Every movement starts with a single spark—but real change happens when that spark ignites a collective force. Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point, this session will empower urban foresters to become change-makers and catalysts for transformation.

Urban forestry demands a diverse skill set. One day, you’re in the field caring for trees; the next, you’re collaborating with government officials, meeting with constituents, or tackling a mountain of spreadsheets. These competing responsibilities can make it difficult to fully engage with the community, sometimes causing projects to flounder or programs to stagnate. Yet, it’s often the voices of constituents and grassroots advocacy that can create real progress.

Your vision, voice and leadership can be the tipping point that shifts mindsets, mobilizes action, and strengthens our communities as well as our urban forestry programs. By integrating service leadership into your daily tasks, you can amplify the “power of many” and drive meaningful change. Active listening, creative education, and adaptive management are key tools in turning public support into momentum for change. Simply embracing your natural and learned leadership skills can be the missing ingredient that helps overcome challenges and advances urban forestry initiatives. 

Whether you’re advocating for policy change, leading a volunteer program, or simply inspiring your neighbors, this session will equip you with the tools to turn ideas into action. Through real-world strategies and best practices, you’ll discover how to:

Recognize your unique role in leading and advancing change.

Engage your community through inclusive and participatory planning.

Mobilize the "power of many" to amplify impact and drive action.

If you’re passionate about sustainability and want to make a real lasting difference, this session will equip you with the strategies, confidence, and leadership skills to step up, inspire, and create change. The future of urban forestry depends on leaders like you!

ISA CEUs applied for and pending.