The city of Burleson has hired its first urban forester/arborist, Dr. Jessie Farris, marking a significant step in strengthening and expanding the city’s tree canopy. The new position is partially funded by a $100,000 grant, over three years, awarded to Burleson Parks and Recreation by the Texas A&M Forest Service to enhance the city’s long-term urban forest management capacity.
A Burleson native and current resident, Dr. Farris brings a deep personal connection to the community. She previously served on the Burleson Parks & Recreation Board, giving her firsthand insight into the city’s urban forest needs, challenges and opportunities for growth.
Dr. Farris comes to Burleson from the city of Dallas where she most recently served as an Arborist Project Coordinator. In that role she led citywide reforestation efforts supported by a $600,000 budget, coordinated complex development and permitting reviews and provided technical guidance on landscape and tree conservation practices. She supervised teams of arborists and urban forestry professionals, established departmentwide project review guidelines and facilitated collaboration across development partners, city departments and community stakeholders.
Her work in Dallas also included serving on several cross-departmental initiatives such as the Forestry Technical Team, the Emerald Ash Borer Task Force and the Community Wildfire Planning Task Force. She contributed to Dallas’ climate action strategies through the Leading Environmental Action Forward (LEAF) Task Force and frequently engaged in public outreach by presenting research to city officials, nonprofit partners and neighborhood groups.
Before becoming project coordinator, Dr. Farris spent nearly five years as a city of Dallas arborist. She reviewed landscape and tree preservation plans, conducted botanical surveys and ecological assessments, led environmental restoration projects and advised residents and developers on compliance with landscape and conservation regulations. She also administered reforestation funds, oversaw public tree plantings and developed training and educational programs for a wide range of audiences.
Dr. Farris recently completed her Doctor of Science Education from Texas Christian University, building upon her Master of Science in Sustainable Natural Resource Management from Unity College and her Bachelor of Science in Combined Biology and Environmental Science from TCU.
In her new role with the city of Burleson, Dr. Farris will develop long-term strategies for managing and enhancing the city’s urban forest. Her responsibilities include planning and planting trees, assessing tree health and safety, managing pests, conducting inventories and coordinating removals when necessary. She will collaborate with city departments, community groups and residents to expand Burleson’s tree canopy, lead educational outreach and support volunteer-driven conservation initiatives.
The city of Burleson is proud to welcome Dr. Farris and looks forward to the expertise, scientific insight and community perspective she brings to growing a healthier, more resilient urban forest for future generations.