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USDN Urban Forestry Fellowship Application

Program Overview

Timeline
Wednesday, August 7, 2024: Launch Date of the Fellowship Host Office Application
Friday, September 13, 2024: Due Date for Fellowship Host Office Proposals
Early November 2024: Host Office Selections
Mid-Nov 2024: Rolling recruitment for Fellows begins
Jan-Feb 2025: Fellow Selections
Feb-Mar 2025: Fellows Begin Work
*timeline subject to change
 
Program Overview 
As part of the USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry’s Inflation Reduction Act Program (Funding Opportunity #: USDA-FS-2023-UCF-IRA-01), Center for Regenerative Solutions (CRS) and Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) are thrilled to open applications for capacity building and workforce development grants for communities to accelerate urban forestry through the launch and management of an Urban Forestry Fellowship program. 

The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) Urban Forestry Fellowship program helps build the pipeline of diverse urban forestry professionals and leaders. This program stems from USDN’s commitment to using our positional power and influence to attract, train, and retain members from communities underrepresented in the sustainability field, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color practitioners.  

The USDN Urban Forestry Fellowship Program advances equity, diversity, and inclusion by supporting local government and community based organizations as they work toward the following goals: 
  • Develop a pipeline of talented, high-skilled, diverse professionals to serve in local government sustainability programs, and use what is learned through USDN member and fellow experiences to increase recruitment, hiring, and retention of candidates from populations currently underrepresented in the sustainability field.  
  • Dismantle the cultural and systemic barriers to inclusion for people of color in sustainability positions while completing important sustainability projects that are responsive to diverse community needs; 
  • Help communities learn methods for effectively advancing equity through a project.  
  • Recruit, hire, and retain diverse talent to work on strategic urban forestry initiatives.
This application is for climate-vulnerable communities who are interested in hosting a fellow for 1-3 years. Up to 5 host communities will be selected to host a Fellow for 1-3 years. The fellowships will be full time (40 hours/week). USDN generally wants the fellowships to be 6-12 months with fellows placed by mid-November and working between February 1 and January 31 of the following year.  

USDN will provide $234,000 to each host community for a 3-year Fellowship program. This $78,000 per year is expected to cover salary, benefits, travel, and any technology the Fellows will need. If $78,000 will not cover a full year, the duration of the Fellowship can be shortened to no less than 6 months.

Before filling out the application to host a fellow, interested communities should review this overview, the Host Office Roles and Responsibilities Agreement, the USDN Equity in Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention Fact Sheet, and the USDN Equity in Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention Webinar.

Program Requirements 
To be considered to sponsor a USDN fellow, applicants for Host Office must: 
  • Include the USDN core member in development of the project scope for the fellow.  
  • Confirm that the member’s human resource requirements will allow the sustainability office or community-based organization to host a fellow.   
  • Supervisor has completed USDN’s Equity Foundations training (or comparable DEI training) prior to fellowship start.  
  • Prepare to: 
    • Offer your fellow a clear and detailed project scope of work; 
    • Generate a strong pool of candidates, prioritizing diversity; 
    • Create a supportive work environment for fellows, including mentorship. 
  • Offer a project that involves developing a policy, plan, or program. 
    • Apply a racial equity approach that seeks to establish norms differing from the business as usual of their home institution. Applicants should understand and be committed to an approach that acknowledges and seeks to address the harm and injustice of systemic racism on BIPOC.
    • If the fellow will be involved in community engagement, staff from the host office should be closely involved so that the office can maintain new relationships after the completion of the fellowship.   
  • Agree to complete the final evaluation described under Roles.  

Expectation of Host Offices
  • Committed to increasing diversity in the field of urban forestry and advancing their own capacity to be effective and inclusive managers and mentors.  
  • Selected members will be expected to assist in promotion of the program to diverse local applicants and provide support and mentorship for fellows.
Benefits for Host Offices 
  • A dedicated fellow to support an equity-focused urban forestry project. 
  • Direct participation in the selection of the fellow. 
  • A peer learning cohort for the fellows.
  • Professional development training and mentorship support to supervisors to help recruit and retain a diverse workforce. 

Benefits for Fellows 
  • Professional urban forestry work experience. 
  • A living wage fellowship. 
  • Access to mentorship, professional development, and peer learning.
  • Access to the USDN network of professionals and meetings. 
  • Participation in an informal network of past and current fellows.   
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