David Henderson is a long-time Detroit resident, raised in the city, and an environmental professional with a background in sustainability and urban planning. He earned his degree in Environment with a Sustainability Minor from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. David’s career includes leading stewardship programs for underserved communities in Detroit as the Green Corps Program Coordinator for The Greening of Detroit, where he designed and implemented educational programs in environmental conservation and urban forestry. He also served as a Resident Advisor for the Global Scholars Program at the University of Michigan, helping to build community and support students from around the world. David’s previous work includes an internship at the Detroit Planning and Development Department, where he contributed to neighborhood growth strategies. He currently works as a Research Project Assistant for the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University, conducting research and coordinating community engagement activities for a Detroit-based urban forestry study, in the Dowtin Urban Forestry Research Group. David’s passion for the natural world is complemented by his leadership in various academic and community service initiatives. His interests include music, health and fitness, sculpture, reading, sports, and playing with his dog, Brutus.

TSN Conference 2026

• January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 10:15 am – 11:15 am // Room 104 // Participatory Methods: Pathways for Restoring Canopy Cover and Quality of Life in a Detroit Neighborhood // In urban forestry, community-led participatory strategies can be used to help restore diverse, resilient tree cover and quality of life in areas where blight and related decline have occurred. This presentation will explore the impacts that different participatory techniques have had in restoring tree cover and quality of life in a once-declining Detroit neighborhood, with this work led by a local non-profit and advanced through collaboration with academic and federal partners. Participatory methods from 2024-25 resulted in the establishment of a nursery for sustained local sourcing of plant material, workforce development for 100 area youth, and planting of approximately 75 trees on vacant lots. Preliminary impacts include decreased crime, positive learning outcomes for community youth, and increased local engagement with spatially expansive green spaces. We will share lessons learned about fostering community stewardship of urban forests through collaborative participatory efforts.

• January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 11:35 am – 12:35 pm // Red Cedar Room // Student Pathways Session // The landscape of careers in stewardship and sustainability is diverse and rapidly changing. How can you identify and form your career path? What professional development do you need to grow or transition among the options, from academia to business to government and non-governmental organizations? This session provides a supportive environment to share questions and learn best practices from each other and from professionals with different experiences.