Meet Mike Dorsey

The new Executive Director of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC)

By Sharon Jean-Philippe, PhD and Mike Dorsey, TUFC Executive Director

The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) is pleased to welcome and introduce its new Executive Director, Mike Dorsey. Mike is a communications strategist, a published author and speaker, and former sales professional. He brings energy and excitement to the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council that will focus on telling the stories of how “Trees” positively impact the life and well-being of Tennessee residents. He’s a proud husband and father who enjoys traveling the world and building meaningful relationships. Mr. Dorsey’s short-term goal as Executive Director is to usher in a narrative that effectively communicates the relationship that the residents of TN have with “Trees” at various beneficial levels. The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council is positioned to serve as the longterm vehicle for information, resources, programs, and education in its role as the intersection of trees and people in Tennessee. This will ultimately lead to a better understanding how well-maintained trees and tree canopies in urban landscapes can improve several health outcomes and quality of life for the residents of the great state of Tennessee.

Mike Dorsey: the new Executive Director of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC)

So what are a few of the TUFC Programs that might be of interest to you? Consider some of these opportunities:

• TUFC oversees the Certified Arboretum Program for the state. The goal of the Certified Arboretum Program is to encourage public areas that meet the specific qualifications to serve as a haven of Tree education to those enjoying the property. This program was recently restructured and streamlined for efficiency. The revised program also includes a membership to TUFC.

• The Tree Sanctuary Program is a new pilot program partnership with a Middle Tennessee non-profit that allows TUFC to partner with a popular Tree Sale program and offer the opportunity for Purchasers to also have access to establishing a Tree Sanctuary on their property as well as gaining a membership to TUFC.

• TUFC has been contracted by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry to manage all aspects of the Champion Tree Program for Tennessee. This program highlights and recognizes the State Champion as well as the National Champion of various tree species located in the State of Tennessee.

• TUFC maintains the Landmark, Historic and Heritage Tree Registry and supports the “If these Trees could talk?” program, which highlights trees within the state that are memorable in some form or have been witness to a historic event.

• TUFC has also been contracted by the TN Dept. of Agriculture Division of Forestry to manage all aspects of the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement (TAEP) Tree Planting Grant Program. TUFC was charged in 2019 with creating an online process and managing every aspect of the program from the Announcement to follow-up after the Planting has taken place.

For more information about the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC), please visit the TUFC webpage, or contact Executive Director Mike Dorsey:

info@TUFC.com

(615) 638-8027

www.TUFC.com