Registration is closed.

Theme – Forest Horizons: Honoring the Past, Understanding the Present, Securing the Future

Location: Camp Jonah, 31 Little Mountain Rd, Trout Lake, WA

Map of Day 2 tour stops

Draft agenda for download

Full event website

The Northwest Innovative Forestry Summit (NIFS) is a space for regional learning, knowledge exchange, and ongoing cooperation to foster ecologically-based forest management strategies with programs focusing on sustainable, forest-related innovation – past, present, and future.  

Forests have been essential resources, sustaining communities and economies amidst change. Understanding our past is vital for shaping the future of forest management. The 2024 Northwest Innovative Forestry Summit (NIFS) in Trout Lake, WA, delves into this journey, by looking at the past, present, and future of forest management in this unique area. Nestled within the White Salmon and Klickitat watersheds, this region, framed by Mount Adams (“Pahto”) to the north and the Columbia River Gorge to the south, has a rich legacy of stewardship by Native People. This summit explores sustainable stewardship practices that marry innovation with tradition, from pre-settlement stewardship to modern collaboration among interested parties, including federal, state, tribal, and local entities. 

We will explore the past, present, and future of forest management in this unique area throughout the summit. During Day 1, we will look to the past with presentations on Native History and Use, Early Settlement and Use, and Current Ownership and Management. For Day 2 of the summit, we will be going on an extensive field tour to explore current forest management taking place in the area. This will include stops at the Mt. Adams Community Forest and the South Gifford Pinchot Collaborative Group. Additionally, we will also be making stops to explore examples of cross-boundary management between USFS & Mt. Adams Resource Stewards and management between USFS and WA-DNR through the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). Day 3 will be focused on reflection and visioning for the future, led by Dr. Cristina Eisenberg and Dr. Klaus Puettmann.  

 

Lodging Opportunities 

On-site: We have the unique opportunity to make use of Camp Jonah’s summer camp dorm lodging. This includes multiple bunks in shared rooms. Similar to summer camp, it will be noisy, messy, and a little chaotic. If you would like to relive summer camps of youth’s past, this is a great option for you! Be sure to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and ear plugs! Additionally, if you want to get the feel of attending summer camp, without staying in shared rooms, there is space available to bring a tent or RV and sleep on the property. There is no additional cost to make use of either of these lodging opportunities. RV space is limited, please contact rhiley@forestguild.org or chanda@forestguild.org to inquire about RV space.

Off-site Hotels: 

Trout Lake 

1. Trout Lake Valley Inn (1 mile from Summit location) 
2. Trout Lake Cozy Cabins (1.1 miles from Summit location) 

White Salmon

• Inn of the White Salmon (22.4 miles from Summit location) 

Hood River – There is a wide variety of hotels in and around Hood River. Note that a hotel in this location will be 24+ miles from the Summit location and a toll will need to be paid to use the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge.  

Off-site Camping: 

Trout Lake 

1. Hollenbeck Park (1.1 miles from Summit location. Availability on a first come, first served basis) 
2. Elk Meadows RV Park (3 miles from Summit location) 
3. Trout Lake Creek Campground (8.3 miles from Summit location. Availability on a first come, first served basis) 

Surrounding area 

1. Goose Lake Campground (14 miles from Summit location. Availability on a first come, first served basis) 
2. There are a variety of additional campgrounds in the surrounding area. Take note that many campgrounds only offer availability on a first come, first served basis.  

Meals  

All meals will be provided during the summit. This includes snacks upon check-in Thursday afternoon, dinner Thursday night, breakfast Friday morning, a sack lunch during the field tour Friday afternoon, dinner Friday evening, breakfast Saturday morning, and lunch before departing Saturday afternoon.  

Please note that everyone will be responsible for making their own sack lunch during breakfast Friday morning. If you do not attend breakfast on Friday morning, you will not have lunch for Friday afternoon.  

Please let us know what dietary restrictions you have. We will do our best to accommodate with options. Additionally, please let us know if you will not be able to attend all planned meals.  

Conditions: Field tours may include longer walks on uneven or steep terrain. Sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing are recommended. 

Stuff to Bring:  

If you are staying off-site: 

• Water bottle 

• Sturdy closed toe shoes 

• Weather appropriate clothing 

• Sunscreen 

• Travel coffee/tea mug 

 

If you are staying in Camp Jonah’s dorm lodging: 

• Water bottle 

• Sturdy closed toe shoes 

• Weather appropriate clothing 

• Sunscreen 

• Travel coffee/tea mug 

• Sleeping bag 

• Pillow 

• Ear plugs 

• Toiletries 

• Bath Towel 

• Shower shoes 

 

If you are staying in a tent at Camp Jonah: 

• Water bottle 

• Sturdy closed shoes 

• Weather appropriate clothing 

• Sunscreen 

• Travel coffee/tea mug 

• Camping supplies 

• Sleeping bag 

• Pillow 

• Ear plugs 

• Toiletries 

• Bath Towel 

• Shower shoes 

Policy on cancellations:  

1. Last day to cancel registration is September 18, 2024
2. If a registrant cancels their own registration by Sept 18, 2024 and wants a refund for registration fees, we will issue a refund for the event’s registration/lodging amount only (less any credit card fees the registrant covered in their initial payment). 
3. If the Guild cancels an event, we will refund registrants the full amount they paid, including any credit card fees they covered with their original registration. 

Additional Notes:

• *Students who need financial assistance may email rhiley@forestguild.org or chanda@forestguild.org to discuss options for support.
• Upon registration you will receive a detailed email with event information. Included will be a link to an Acknowledgement of Risk form from Camp Jonah. Please link to that PDF and sign and return it to rhiley@forestguild.org, or bring it with you to the event.

Partnering Organizations:

Thanks to the NIFS team of partners for all of the collective work! They include: Forest Stewards Guild, Northwest Natural Resource Group, Intertribal Timber Council, and Oregon State University.