HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – While many Florida communities celebrate Arbor Day simply by putting saplings in the ground, Hillsborough County is using the holiday to address a much larger issue: a national shortage of the people qualified to take care of them.
On Friday, Jan. 16, the county will mark Florida Arbor Day by launching a dual-pronged initiative aimed at both expanding the local tree canopy and cultivating the skilled workforce needed to maintain it. The effort centers on a free educational workshop and tree giveaway hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County.
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The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Extension Service in Seffner, offers residents more than just a free plant to take home. It serves as an introduction to urban forestry, a field currently struggling to find enough certified pros.
According to county officials, communities across the country are facing a significant gap in certified arborists. This shortage comes at a critical time, as demand spikes for storm recovery work, climate resilience planning, and general canopy expansion. While local governments are eager to plant, the long-term survival of those trees relies heavily on trained professionals who understand proper management.
Hillsborough’s Extension Service is stepping into that gap. Their programs are designed to provide a clear pathway for residents to enter the industry, offering the hands-on experience and foundational knowledge required for professional certification.
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Friday’s session will focus on the “right tree, right place” philosophy—teaching participants how to select and plant trees that will thrive in their specific environments. Attendees who complete the workshop will leave with a tree of their own.
The Hunt for Local Greenery
Beyond the workshop, the county is also launching “Tree Quest,” an interactive scavenger hunt designed to get residents out into local parks.
Running from Jan. 16 through Feb. 4, the initiative encourages visitors to explore 13 specific county parks, ranging from Carrollwood Village Park in Tampa to the Fishhawk Sports Complex in Lithia. Tagged trees in these locations will feature QR codes that, when scanned, provide details about the specific variety and characteristics of the local greenery.
Participating locations include:
- Boyette Springs Park (Riverview)
- Burnett Sports Complex (Seffner)
- Carolyn Meeker Dog Park (Lutz)
- Carrollwood Village Park (Tampa)
- Citrus Park Sports Complex (Tampa)
- Clayton Sports Complex (Brandon)
- Dover Sports Complex (Dover)
- Fishhawk Sports Complex (Lithia)
- Lettuce Lake Park (Tampa)
- Northdale Park & Recreation Center (Tampa)
- Riverview Civic Center (Riverview)
- Stephen Wortham Park (Riverview)
- Thonotosassa Park & Recreation Center (Thonotosassa)
The workshop and giveaway will be held at 5339 County Road 579 in Seffner. The session is expected to last about 90 minutes.
Residents looking for more information on the event or the workforce programs can contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
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