Progress 06/01/24 to 05/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, two main groups of participants were reached by project activities: 1) students enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico at Utuado (UPRU) Horticulture Associate's Degree; andworkers enrolled inUPRU's Professional Certificate in Arboriculture. Both target audiences (i.e.Horticulture ADstudentsandworkers)are central to the long-term success of the project. The project is training a new growing community of practitioners who will contribute to the improved management of Puerto Rico's urban forests, agricultural landscapes, and public green spaces. Students enrolled in the Horticulture Associate's Degree (AD) Program of the University of Puerto Rico at Utuado (UPRU) A total of13 studentsenrolled in the Horticulture AD at UPRU participated in arboriculture-related coursework developed under this project. These students are being trained to become professionals in the field of arboriculture, urban forestry, and natural resource management.There is a critical need to build local capacity in arboriculture to address challenges related to tree management and post-hurricane vegetation recovery in both urban and rural settings. The following courses were taken by these students during the reporting period: AGSU 3215 - Tree Health AGSU 3216 - Tree Health Laboratory AGSU 3217 - Tree Management and Safety AGSU 3218 - Tree Management and Safety Laboratory AGSU 4218 - Tree Pruning, Climbing, and Aerial Lift AGSU 4219 - Tree Pruning, Climbing, and Aerial Lift Laboratory AGSU 3212 - Introduction to Arboriculture AGSU 3214 - Introduction to Arboriculture Laboratory These courses were developed to enhance student competencies in arboriculture. The students were reached through formal instruction, both in classroom and laboratory settings. Workers enrolled in UPRU's Professional Certificate in Arboriculture: A total of15 adult learnersenrolled in theProfessional Certificate in Arboricultureoffered through UPRU's Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (DECEP). This certificate program was designed foragricultural workersand professionalswho are unable to participate in traditional academic programs due to work or personal commitments. This audience is a critical group for workforce development and retraining efforts in Puerto Rico. The certificate courses were offered in ahybrid formatthat included: Remote asynchronous instructionvia the University's Moodle platform during weekdays (after working hours), and In-person practical sessions held on Saturdays, for a total of 20 consecutive weeks. This flexible format was highly effective in reaching working populations and increasing access to professional training in arboriculture. Participants gained hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills, and knowledge aligned with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards. Additionally, during the reporting period,a new cohort of workers was actively recruited. The program received significantly more applications than anticipated, which underscores the demand for accessible, industry-specific training programs. This also demonstrates the program's success in reaching its target audience and addressing a critical gap in professional development for specialized tree management skills. Changes/Problems:Amodificationwas madein the implementation of the project.TheProfessionalCertificateis beingoffered through theUPR Utuado Continuing Education Divisionin an intensive, hybrid format. Rather than following semester-long courses, the topicsare beingdelivered through weekly modules, combining online and in-person learning. Thismodifiedstructurewasdesigned to accommodate the schedules of full-time agricultural workers, promoting greater participation. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training for Associate's Degree Students Courses related to arboriculture were offered to students enrolled in the Horticulture Associate's Degree at UPRU. These courses, developed under the project, include both theoretical and hands-on instruction in areas such as tree health, pruning, climbing, aerial lift operations, and safety. A total of 13 students completed the first year courses in arboriculture. They gained foundational competencies aligned with industry standards and ISA Certified Arborist® knowledge areas. Professional Development for Workers A Professional Certificate in Arboriculturewas developed and launched during this reporting period. This program is specifically designed to provide training and upskilling opportunities for agricultural workers and others who cannot participate in traditional academic programs due to work or personal constraints. The certificate is delivered in ahybrid format, combining asynchronous online modules with practical in-person training on Saturdays. The first cohort, which began in February 2025, included 15 participants. This format has proven to be an effective model for expanding access to professional development in arboriculture across Puerto Rico. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project results were disseminated to communities of interest through the following activities: UPRU Campus Newsletter:Updates about the project's activities, new training opportunities, and accomplishments were disseminated to the broader campus community via the official university newsletter. Workshops and Public Events:The Project Director (PD) and Co-Project Director (Co-PD) presented preliminary results and shared information on arboriculture practices during workshops and community events, including the Arbor Day celebration, held at theTierra AdentroFestival. These activities engaged students, faculty, and the general public. Student and Colleague Engagement:Preliminary results and lessons learned were discussed directly with students enrolled in the Horticulture AD and the Professional Certificate in Arboriculture, as well as with colleagues in related academic and professional fields. These efforts have ensured that progress and preliminary outcomes are communicated effectively to stakeholders and target audiences. The efforts have raised awareness of the project's objectives and the importance of arboriculture training in Puerto Rico. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To continue advancing the goals of the project,the following activities are planned for the next reporting period: Completion of First Professional Certificate Cohort:The first cohort of 15 agricultural workers currently enrolled in the Professional Certificate in Arboriculture is expected to complete the program. Upon completion, participants will be encouraged and supported to take theISA Certified Arborist® exam. Second and Third Professional Certificate Cohorts:Asecond cohortof participants will complete the professional certificate during the next reporting period, and athird cohortis scheduled to beginbefore the end of the next reporting period,expanding access to arboriculture training for additional agricultural workers and professionals. Coursework for Associate Degree Students:Students currently enrolled in the Horticulture AD program will take the remaining arboriculture courses developed under this project. These courses will build on their first-year training and further prepare them for professional roles in tree care and management. These planned efforts will contribute directly to meeting project objectives related to education, retraining, and workforce development in arboriculture. The efforts will prepare more participants for ISA certification and will enhance tree management capacity across Puerto Rico and the region.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period, the project"Training Tree Care Specialists at UPR Utuado"advanced its goal of increasing the number of agricultural workers and students trained in arboriculture. The accomplishments made under each of the six project objectives during the reporting period are discussed below: Objectives 1 and 2: Objective 1: Develop 8 new courses about tree management for DAT-UPRU Associate Degree Programs. Objective 2: Create one new curricular sequence about tree management for DAT-UPRU Associate's Degree in Horticulture Program. These objectives werefully completed in previous project years. All eight courses were successfully developed and approved, and a curricular sequence in Arboriculture was officially created at UPR-Utuado. Please, refer to progress reports from previous years for more details on these accomplishments. Objective 3: Create one Professional Certificate in Tree Management for the retraining of agricultural workers. A key milestone for this reporting period was thedevelopment and implementation of the Professional Certificate in Arboriculture, specifically designed for workers and agricultural professionals seeking retraining. The program was structured to include 340 contact hours over 20 weeks. The Professional Certificate includes: Asynchronous online instructionthrough the UPR Moodle platform (Monday-Friday, evenings), and In-person practical training sessions on Saturdaysheld at UPR Utuado. This format was tailored to increase accessibility and has been well received, with high interest expressed for future cohorts. The first cohort began in February 2025 with 15 enrolled participants. Objective 4: Train 15 Associate's Degree students to achieve the competence for ISA Certified® level of knowledge and skills. During the reporting period,13 studentsenrolled in the Horticulture AD completed theirfirst yearof arboriculture courses (4 courses and 4 laboratory courses). These students received formal instruction and hands-on training in tree management practices. Objective 5: Retrain 15 agricultural workers to achieve the competence for ISA Certified® level of knowledge and skills A total of 15 participant workersenrolled in the in the newly launched professional certificate program. Through both remote learning and field-based instruction, these participants gained the core competencies and practical experience required to meet industry standards and prepare for ISA certification. The success of this cohort supports the replicability and scalability of the program for future workforce development efforts in arboriculture across Puerto Rico and the region.

Publications

Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:This proyect impacts hispanic underepresnted comuintyes at Puert Rico. During the reporting period, ten courses related to arboriculture were developed and subsequently approved as part of the curricular sequence at the University of Puerto Rico at Utuado. These courses are designed to enhance the academic rigor of the program and provide students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in arboriculture. Additionally, a summer internship program was designed for project participants, focusing specifically on practical experiences in arboriculture. This internship aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience in real-world settings. Furthermore, during the "Tierra Adentro Festival," an annual event hosted by UPR Utuado, the project celebrated Arbor Day with a variety of extension and outreach activities. These activities were designed to engage the community and raise awareness about the importance of tree management. The celebration included a workshop on pruning techniques, which provided participants with practical skills in tree care. Additionally, project members were available to answer questions from attendees about tree management on their properties, whether residential or agricultural. These initiatives not only promoted the significance of arboriculture but also strengthened the relationship between the university and the local community. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project organized an Arbor Day celebration, which featured practical workshops and interactive conversations with the general public. These workshops provided hands-on experience in tree management techniques, while the discussions allowed participants to engage directly with experts on various aspects of tree care and management. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we will focus on promoting and recruiting participants for the Professional Certificate in Tree Management. Our efforts will include targeted outreach and marketing strategies to attract individuals interested in advancing their skills in arboriculture. Additionally, we will commence offering the Professional Certificate in Tree Management, providing a structured program designed to enhance the competencies of participants in this field. Concurrently, we will continue offering the newly developed courses to students enrolled in the Associate Degree program, ensuring they receive comprehensive training in tree management as part of their academic journey.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Develop 8 New Courses on Tree Management for the DAT-UPRU Associate Degree Programs. Ten courses in arboriculture were successfully developed and approved at the University of Puerto Rico, Utuado. These courses are designed to enhance the academic offerings related to tree management and provide students with specialized knowledge in this field. The titles of the courses are as follows: Tree Health Tree Health Laboratory Tree Management Safety Tree Management Safety Laboratory Tree Pruning, Climbing, and Aerial Lift Tree Pruning, Climbing, and Aerial Lift Laboratory Tree Products Introduction to Arboriculture Introduction to Arboriculture Laboratory Opportunities in the Tree Care Industry Objective 2: Create a New Curricular Sequence on Tree Management for the DAT-UPRU Associate Degree in Horticulture Program. With the development of the aforementioned courses, the next step will be to integrate them into the curriculum for the Associate Degree in Horticulture at UPR Utuado. This curricular sequence will provide a structured pathway for students to gain expertise in tree management within the context of horticulture. Objective 3: Create a Professional Certificate in Tree Management for the Retraining of Agricultural Workers. An initial survey was conducted to assess the level of interest among potential participants in a Professional Certificate in Tree Management. Based on the positive response, planning for the certificate program began during the reporting period. This certificate will be instrumental in retraining agricultural workers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in tree management. Objective 4: Train 15 Associate Degree Students to Achieve the Competence Required for ISA Certified® Level Knowledge and Skills. Recruitment activities were conducted to identify and enroll 15 students in the Associate Degree program, who will begin taking the relevant courses in August 2024. These students will be trained to achieve the competence required for the ISA Certified® level, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and skills in arboriculture. Objective 5: Retrain 15 Agricultural Workers to Achieve the Competence Required for ISA Certified® Level Knowledge and Skills. The initial design of the Professional Certificate in Tree Management was developed, laying the groundwork for the retraining of 15 agricultural workers. This program is intended to elevate their expertise to meet the standards required for ISA certification, thereby enhancing their professional qualifications in the field of arboriculture.

Publications