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The City Forest Certification Program (CFC) is hands-on and designed to guide and empower everyday people with practical knowledge and skills. Neighbor by neighbor and property by property, we can grow and connect a network of forests big and small. The CFC Certified Volunteer Bud Training Program prepares certified volunteers to visit Atlanta area properties & empower community members to improve the health of their yards and community greenspaces. CFC Volunteer Buds meet with renters, homeowners, and community greenspace organizers in Atlanta to offer resources, tools, & suggestions, and award points (acorns) to help them become a certified site through the CFC program. Learn more about the City Forest Certified program here.

In order to participate in this training program, applicants must be a Green-Shirt or Certified Volunteer, having completed one of the Volunteer Pathway Programs at Trees Atlanta. In addition, those with relevant career or volunteer experience (i.e. master gardener, master naturalist, arborist, forester, farmer, landscape architect, botanist, etc.) are also welcome to apply.

Much of the training for the CFC Volunteer Bud Program is conducted through self-paced, online training modules. However, we will provide resources and host in-person gatherings/information sessions to support you throughout your training journey. See the 2026-27 training schedule below for more details.

2026-27 CFC Volunteer Bud Training Schedule:

• Saturday, November 7th, 9 am -12 pm (Kendeda TreeHouse) In-Person Kick-Off & Orientation Session
• Saturday, January 30th: 10 - 11:30am (Zoom — Virtual) Mid-term Check-In with Staff and Cohort Leaders
• March 13th - 21st: Schedule Your In-person Site Visit Shadow with an Experienced Volunteer Bud
• Saturday, March 27th, 9am - 12pm (Kendeda TreeHouse) Final Check-In & Graduation Celebration

Additional Information

• Doors open at 8:45 am. Coffee and light refreshments served before class starts. Once registered you will receive any and all zoom links via follow-up emails.
• Meeting and Transportation Information: Most meetings will be at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse, 825 Warner Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. Bike racks are located near the grain silo off of the path to the Atlanta BeltLine. We are approximately 1 mile from the Oakland City and West End MARTA train stations (Red and Gold Lines). A limited number of parking spaces are available at our location in addition to street parking. Some Classes may meet at other locations, and participants will be notified at the class before a location change.
• Registration Required: Current Trees Atlanta Green Shirt Volunteer or Certified Volunteer may have the registration fee waived - please complete the form here.
• Safety Policy: Learn more about our current Safety Protocols for In-Person Education Events here l Safety Protocols | Trees Atlanta
• Questions: If you have any questions or comments regarding this event, please email education@treesatlanta.org.

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