Forest Stewards Guild

Northeast – Midwest Regional Prescribed Fire Science and Management Workshop
2025-07-08 08:00 - 2025-07-10 17:00 (America/New_York)
Register
July 8 – 10, 2025
Virtual presentations and in-person field tours
Full event website
Event schedule
This year, we are taking a fresh approach with our 2025 Workshop by introducing a “Blended Learning Excursion.” The event will span three days, combining virtual learning with in-person field trip opportunities across the Northeast and Midwest.

Day One will feature a half day of virtual presentations, with Keynote from Dr. Stephen J. Pyne, and a Session on The Many Cultures of Fire.
Day Two will be in-person field trips, hosted independently across the Northeast-Midwest by willing participants; and a bonus virtual session featuring Educational Opportunities and Resources Related to Prescribed Burning.
On Day Three, we will have another half day of virtual presentations focused on common denominators of organizational, local, and regional fire cultures for successful wildland fire management, and lightning presentations by representation from each of the 20 States in a Prescribed Fire Update.

The workshop is sponsored by the Northeast Regional Strategy Committee (NE RSC), a regional organization chartered by the national Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) to coordinate and support implementation of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy across the 20 Northeast and Midwest states.

Significant mortality of old trees across a dry forest landscape in Oregon
2025-08-27 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
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Aug 27, 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m. PT / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MT / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT / 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET
Continuing education credits are pending approval.
Webinar Presenter: Dr. James Johnston, University of Oregon
Description: Dr. Johnston will discuss recent forest mortality dynamics based on a network of 1617 trees in unlogged roadless areas in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon with precise age and growth data. There was extensive mortality of the oldest trees in stands—a quarter of trees greater than 300 years of age died over a ten-year period. There was little evidence for a difference in mortality between species in sites that experienced wildfire. Dr. Johnston will also describe a novel simulation model which demonstrated that succession of young trees is unlikely to replace recent losses of old trees. The confluence of a rare insect defoliator outbreak, drought, and past management decisions that increased competitive stress and fuel connectivity is the most likely explanation for the elevated mortality we observed. The protected areas where the team collected data are not achieving old tree conservation objectives. Active management to reduce forest competition is the most realistic pathway for old tree conservation in dry forests.

NCFPW 2025: Application of Digital Technology for Forest Health
2025-09-29 08:00 - 2025-10-02 17:00 (America/New_York)
Register
Save the date!
September 29 – October 2, 2025
Wright Forestry Center on the Martell Forest
West Lafayette, Indiana
Full event details
Please see the meeting website for more information, including hotel reservations, and to stay updated on upcoming details regarding registration and a draft agenda.
Meeting Coordinators: Phil Marshall (Indiana Department of Natural Resources), Matt Ginzel (Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center, Purdue University) and Songlin Fei (Purdue Institute for Digital Forestry).
If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact Phil Marshall – pmarshall@dnr.in.gov

Northern Forest Birds Network Conference 2025
2025-10-07 08:00 - 2025-10-08 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Register today
October 7, 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Cloquet Forestry Center (CFC), 175 University Rd, Cloquet, MN 55720
October 8, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. carpooling from CFC for the day at Sax-Zim Bog (limited to 40 people).
Draft agenda
Forests across the Midwest are facing unprecedented threats from a rapidly changing climate and increasing pest pressures. Simultaneously, experts are seeing steep decline in regional bird populations that could be linked to widespread habitat loss and degradation.
Join us on Tuesday, October 7th as local experts present innovative ways to create resilient and sustainable lowland conifer systems. We will also be taking a deep dive in Forestry for Minnesota Birds case examples followed by an interactive workshop. On Wednesday, October 8th we will take a tour of the world famous Sax-Zim Bog (limited to 40 attendees, secure your spot today)!
Registration details:
Registration is flexible for you to build what works for you! Lunch is available on both days if you select it in registration. It includes a small fee on top of the affordable registration rate. On-site lodging is also available for a fee at CFC on the nights of October 6th and/or 7th if you select it in registration.
Note: there will also be a virtual option for Tuesday’s portion of this event. Stay tuned…

National Guild Gathering - Celebrating 30 years!
2026-09-15 08:00 - 2026-09-17 17:00 (America/New_York)
Save the dates
September 15 – 17, 2026
Freeport, Maine
Event flyer
More details coming soon…
Join us in celebrating 30 years of the Forest Stewards Guild — a milestone gathering of Guild members, partners, and like-minded stewards from across the country. Together, we’ll reflect on three decades of transformational change in forest stewardship and chart a bold vision for the next 30 years.
This multi-day event in Freeport, Maine will feature inspiring discussions, working sessions, and field trips that connect policy, practice, and people. Discover the beauty of New England’s forests while connecting with the Guild community in a setting that embodies the values of stewardship and collaboration.
Experience Maine’s rich coastal culture — from vibrant working waterfronts and small-town charm to world-class local cuisine — while engaging in meaningful conversations on forest stewardship, ecological integrity, and the future of conservation.
Connect with Guild members, staff, and partners to inspire, learn, and act — advancing shared goals in forest stewardship, ecological resilience, and community.
