Register

• Early Bird: $325 (April 2–May 8)
• Regular Rate: $400 (May 9–May 22) 
• Student Rate: $250

We are committed to making this summit accessible and do not want cost to be a barrier to participation. A limited number of scholarships are available—please reach out to luke.dauner1@gmail.com if you would like to be considered.

Dates: June 10th at 2:00 p.m. to Noon on June 12, 2026 PDT
Location: Ellsworth Creek Preserve

Theme: Restoring Watersheds, Reimagining Forests

Event flyer for download

Event Summary:

Join us at The Nature Conservancy’s Ellsworth Creek Preserve—one of the Pacific Northwest’s most ambitious watershed-scale restoration sites—for a deep dive into ecological forestry, watershed restoration, and collaborative land management. Explore a living laboratory where old-growth giants, recovering salmon streams, and regenerating forest mosaics reveal what’s possible when science, community, and economic viability work in harmony.

As in past years, the summit will center on shared learning, with a mix of field-based and discussion-oriented sessions. A full-day field tour through the Ellsworth Creek watershed will highlight restoration efforts across the Ellsworth watershed, exploring how these approaches can inform forest management in increasingly complex ecological, social, and operational contexts. We will visit ancient western redcedar forests, road decommissioning sites, and stands that demonstrate active adaptive management and innovative silviculture. A diverse group of partners and Tribal leaders will share their experiences and projects, offering practical lessons and collaborative approaches to forest stewardship across the Pacific Northwest.

Day 1 will begin with a welcome and grounding in place with The Nature Conservancy and members of the Chinook Indian Nation, including perspectives on the Willapa landscape, Indigenous stewardship, and the ecological and cultural context of the region. Participants will also hear from partner organizations and “parallel projects” across the Pacific Northwest—including Oregon State University, Columbia Land Trust, North Coast Land Conservancy, and EFM Investments and Advisory. 

Day 2 features a full day in the field at Ellsworth Creek Preserve, moving through a series of sites that illustrate how adaptive management and silvicultural strategies are applied towards landscape-scale watershed restoration. Discussions will include reference conditions, road infrastructure and hydrology, stream restoration and wood placement, and approaches to thinning and stand development, alongside broader considerations of restoration goals, operational constraints, economics, and partnerships. The day will conclude with a group debrief and reflection. 

Day 3 offers an optional field session at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). This session will be designed as a deeper, practice-oriented dive into silviculture, with a focus on stand-level decision-making, treatment design, and implementation. Discussion will include fuels mitigation strategies in west-side forests, including approaches such as mastication and pre-commercial thinning in young stands, with opportunities to connect lessons from Ellsworth to participants’ own work and landscapes.

Draft Agenda (exact times are subject to change): We encourage participants to attend the full summit to maximize opportunities for connection and discussion. If you can only join for part of the event, please reach out and we’re happy to discuss options.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026: 

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Arrive at Ocean Park Camp and Retreat

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Welcome, Blessing, and Introduction to Ellsworth Creek

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Presentation from Partner Organizations and Featured Projects

• Partner Organizations and project geographies 
  • Columbia Land Trust: Willapa Bay, Grays River, Mt. St. Helens and beyond
  • Oregon State University: Tualatin Mountain Forest
  • North Coast Land Conservancy: Rainforest Reserve
  • EFMI: Forest holdings across the Pacific Northwest

7:00 p.m.: Dinner 

 

Thursday, June 11, 2026

7:30 a.m.: Breakfast

9:30 a.m.: Depart for Ellsworth Creek

• Stop 1: Old Growth Cedar stand 

• Stop 2: Road Decommissioning Site 

• Lunch

• Stop 3: Commercial thinning and stream restoration site 

• Stop 4: Young stand thinning site 

5:30 p.m.: Return to Ocean Park Camp and Retreat 

6:00 p.m.: Dinner

7:00 p.m.: Reflection and Wrap-Up

 

Friday, June 12, 2026

8:00 a.m.: Grab and Go Breakfast

9:00 a.m.: Depart Ocean Park Camp and Retreat

9:30 a.m. – Noon: Optional Field Sessions – a Deeper Dive into Silviculture and Management at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

 

Lodging Information:

Free on-site Lodging at Ocean Park Camp & Retreat. Choose the option that best fits your comfort level when you register:

Located on a beautiful coastal property along the Long Beach Peninsula Ocean Park Camp & Retreat is primarily shared accommodations, including Sea Breeze Lodge and Ocean View, both of which offer comfortable, camp-style lodging with access to shared bathrooms and showers.

The overall atmosphere is relaxed and reminiscent of a classic summer camp setting—social, informal, and community-oriented. If that sounds like your style, please bring a sleeping bag (or linens if preferred), a pillow, and earplugs for added comfort.

If you prefer a more independent setup, you’re also welcome to bring a tent and camp on the property. RVs are welcome as well, with designated sites available.

Off-site Lodging 

Prefer more privacy? You are welcome to arrange your own off-site accommodation and commute to the event each day. Please note that registration costs remain the same regardless of lodging choice. A list of nearby off-site lodging options will be provided soon.

 

Meals: 

All meals are provided during the summit. This includes snacks upon check-in on Wednesday afternoon, dinner Wednesday evening, breakfast Thursday morning, a sack lunch for the field session on Thursday, dinner Thursday evening, and a light, grab-and-go breakfast on Friday morning.

Please indicate any dietary restrictions during registration—we will do our best to accommodate all needs. Additionally, let us know if you do not plan to attend all scheduled meals.

Other Notes:

• Conditions: Field-based sessions will include longer walks on uneven or steep terrain (up to 1.5 miles). Sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. 
• Carpooling: We encourage participants to carpool to and from the event if possible. Let us know if you are willing to host a carpool or are interested in taking part in a carpool; we will help with organizing.
• Recommended Packing List – coming soon!