As the population of the United States continues to concentrate in urban and suburban areas, sustainable management of natural resources in urban environments is increasingly important. Professional arborists and urban foresters play a critical role in the resiliency and management of urban ecosystems, with high demand for their services throughout the country.
Students in the UMass arboriculture and community forest management program enjoy being outdoors, working with their hands while using their minds, and making the world a better place. Our academic training prepares students for an arborist certification exam. We offer the following degree paths:
- Online Certificate (one-year)
- On-campus Associate of Science degree (two-year)
- Interested in advancing to a bachelor's degree program? Check out the urban forestry and arboriculture concentration in our natural resources conservation program.
What You'll Learn
Arboriculture requires a solid foundation of biology, as well as common sense and critical thinking skills. Students gain the essential knowledge and training in the following areas:
- Botany
- Tree and shrub identification
- Soil science
- Entomology
- Plant pathology
- Arboricultural field techniques and safety
- Sustainable management
Arboriculture Program Contact
Kristina Bezanson
Lecturer
Arboriculture and Urban Forestry
Email: @email
A native of Massachusetts, Kristina is an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist / Municipal Specialist and a Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Kristina holds credentials in Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Design, and Sustainable Installation. Kristina is also the sole proprietor of Garden & Forest Consulting, and she has served as president of the Virginia Urban Forest Council and is a frequent rider on the Tour des Trees. Kristina’s experience and credentials will allow her to teach a variety of courses in the Stockbridge and UMass arboriculture programs for two- and four-year students. Currently, she teaches the introductory and intermediate courses in arboriculture as well as the seminar course, and she handles all student internships.
Careers
Arborists are everywhere! With more job opportunities than there are skilled workers to fill them, most of our students can choose from a variety of positions. Our graduates go on to secure well-paid, exciting careers in a wide range of fields, such as:
- Commercial arborist
- Municipal arborist / urban forester
- Arboricultural consultant
- Educator (high school to university level)
- Utility arborist
- Safety and training (public and private sectors)
Resources
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture
- International Society of Arboriculture – New England chapter
- Facebook group: UMass Amherst Arboriculture and Community Forest