Borrowed Credentials and Surrogate Professional Societies: A Critical Analysis of the Urban Forestry Profession

Background: Urban forestry is an emerging profession, yet its professional identity not clearly defined, nor does it have the full complement of support mechanisms commonly expected or needed by professionals. As a result, urban forest professionals rely on closely allied professions (e.g., arboriculture, forestry) resulting in frustration amongst and confusion lack awareness general public. Methods: We developed series practical but ideal benchmarks for successful “modern profession” based features extracted from review literature precedents 11 other professions. then examined broad array evidence to identify gaps between current reality profession. Strength was assessed, each benchmark classified as being supported established, emerging, little no evidence. Results: Gap analysis indicates that while profession provides essential service society, there need improvement credentialing, public awareness, recruitment into career advancement. Many result coordinated efforts organized community dedicated scope identified misalignment existing organizations are Conclusion: To meet profession,” needs explicitly forestry. The cannot future society only borrowed credentials surrogate organizations.