Hillsborough County, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2026) - Hillsborough County will celebrate Florida Arbor Day by investing in both trees and the skilled workforce needed to maintain them through a free educational workshop and tree giveaway hosted by UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County.
The Florida Arbor Day Tree Workshop and Giveaway will take place Friday, Jan. 16, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Hillsborough County Extension Service located at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584, as part of the Extension Service's Urban Forestry Programs. The event will feature an interactive presentation focused on selecting, planting, and maintaining the right tree for the right place. All workshop participants will receive a tree to take home and plant.
The event comes as communities nationwide face a growing shortage of certified arborists, driven by increased tree planting, climate resilience efforts, storm recovery needs, and an aging workforce. While tree canopy expansion is a priority for many local governments, long-term success depends on trained professionals who can properly plant, manage, and maintain trees over time.
Hillsborough County's Extension Service plays a key role in addressing that workforce gap by offering urban forestry and arboriculture education programs that introduce residents to the field and help prepare them for professional certification. These classes support a clear pathway into arboriculture careers, providing the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience needed to pursue certification and employment in tree care and urban forestry.
In addition to hands-on workshops, Florida's Arbor Day marks the kick-off of Tree Quest, an educational initiative by the county encouraging residents to become acquainted with Hillsborough's Urban Forests. Visit one of the 13 parks listed below and scan the QR codes on tagged trees to learn about the many varieties and unique characteristics of local greenery. Tree Quest begins on Florida Arbor Day Jan. 16 and runs through Feb 4.
- Boyette Springs Park- 10419 Deepbrook Dr., Riverview, FL 33569
- Burnett Sports Complex - 11655 Clay Pit Rd., Seffner, FL 33584
- Carolyn Meeker Dog Park - 102 1st Ave. SW, Lutz, FL 33548
- Carrollwood Village Park - 4680 W. Village Dr., Tampa, FL 33624
- Citrus Park Sports Complex - 7502 Gunn Hwy., Tampa, FL 33625
- Clayton Sports Complex - 800 S. Parsons Ave., Brandon, FL 33511
- Dover Sports Complex - 2801 Dover Park Dr., Dover, FL 33527
- Fishhawk Sports Complex - 16000 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia, FL 33547
- Lettuce Lake Park - 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, FL 33637
- Northdale Park & Recreation Center - 15510 Hooting Owls Pl., Tampa, FL 33624
- Riverview Civic Center - 11020 Park Dr., Riverview, FL 33569
- Stephen Wortham Park - 12108 Rhodine Rd., Riverview, FL 33579
- Thonotosassa Park & Recreation Center - 10132 Skewlee Rd., Thonotosassa, FL 33592
By hosting events such as the Florida Arbor Day workshop and Tree Quest, the County aims to increase public understanding of proper tree care while also cultivating interest in arboriculture as a profession. Education-led initiatives help ensure trees planted today remain healthy, safe, and beneficial to the community for decades to come.
The workshop will last approximately 1.5 hours, followed by the tree giveaway.
For additional information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.