Dr. Charles Nilon, Univ. of Missouri, will be invited as a key speaker in the Urban Forest Initiative Seminar Series (UFI SS). Dr. Nilon’s research provides perspective into critical links between urban forests, urban wildlife, and human behaviors, and will help the broader community appreciate urban forests and their connection to the human condition. The UFI SS highlights the importance of urban forests and urban forest research. In 2015-16 year UFI hosted four speakers and a film with over 150 attendees each. These free events were funded in part by the Depts of Entomology and Forestry, TFISE, the UK SCC, and a 2015 Barnhart Award. A number of NGOs and NPs contributed further support. The series’ success reflects the positive momentum garnered by UFI, with significant contributions from UK CAFE. This year's project will extend the series and our success into 2016-17, with free evening presentations featuring 3-4 speakers with wide-ranging appeal that will help the broader community appreciate and connect to urban forests and to realize their importance in contributing to sustainable communities.