The role of urban forests continues to expand as society recognizes the potential contribution of green infrastructure to global sustainability, human health, and quality of life. At the same time, new knowledge and technology are expanding urban forest management options. How will career and employment opportunities develop in this new and challenging environment? Cindy Blain will provide an update on recent work to integrate tree care jobs with urban forest community engagement and the complementary social, economic, and tree literacy benefits especially in disadvantaged communities, which need tree canopy the most. Susan Day will present project findings from Urban Forestry 2020, a recently concluded research initiative investigating the state of the urban forestry profession. She will also share strategic recommendations relating to professional identity, networking, higher education, and student recruitment. Urban Forestry 2020 was made possible in part by funding from the U.S. Forest Service National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant program. The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) sets the categories for this grant program based on the Ten-Year Urban Forestry Action Plan and recommends to the Forest Service innovative urban and community forestry research and projects that should be considered for funding. Council Member Lisa Ortega will open the webinar with a brief overview of NUCFAC and its national research agenda.