Evaluating impacts of the municipal forestry institute leadership training on participants' personal and professional lives

The Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) is a continuing education course created by the Society of Municipal Arborists designed to train leaders in the urban forestry field. Offered annually, this leadership course has been attended by almost 500 participants during its first ten years of existence, however the program had never been subject to an extensive evaluation to measure its outcomes and impacts on attendees. A mixed methods approach with a focus group, interviews and an online survey was used to measure results and behavioral change using two levels of Kirkpatrick's evaluation framework. Data revealed substantial impact in three areas: change of perspective, personal growth, and professional growth realized as a result of attending MFI. An increase in leadership knowledge, increased confidence, and an expanded professional network were the three most common outcomes of the MFI. This research unearthed observable and measurable evidence about what happened to participants as a result of attending MFI, and collected opinions and captured stories about how MFI impacted them and their careers.