Forest Stewards Guild

Audubon Training & Endorsement Workshop for Vermont Foresters
2025-08-13 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
To register, or for more information, please contact
Claire Mann at claire.mann@audubon.org. (Space is limited to 30 participants)
Take a step toward becoming an Audubon Endorsed Forester!
Tuesday, September 30
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
Adirondack Interpretive Center/Huntington Forest
5922 NY-28N, Newcomb, NY 12852
This program is approved for 4.5 Cat 1 SAF CFEs
Event Flyer
Through Audubon Vermont’s Forester Training and Endorsement Program, you’ll join a growing network of professional foresters partnering with Audubon to promote healthy, bird-friendly forests.
This training covers bird habitat needs, landscape- and stand-level planning, and tools to support your work in the field.
What to Expect:

Morning Sessions: Learn how to assess forest bird habitats needs and apply silviculture to support birds.
Afternoon Forest Tour: Participate in habitat assessment and management exercises in a mature forest stand.

Audubon’s Forester Training and Endorsement Program is funded in NY by a Landscape Scale Restoration grant through the U.S department of Agriculture, Forest Service, an equal opportunity provider.
Additional program support and partners:
Forest Stewards Guild, Society of American Foresters, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, American Forest Foundation

Audubon Training & Endorsement Workshop for Vermont Foresters
2025-08-20 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Join Audubon Vermont and take a step toward becoming an Audubon Endorsed Forester!
Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
Huntington, Vermont
Register here
Event Flyer
Through Audubon Vermont’s Forester Training and Endorsement Program, you’ll join a growing network of professional foresters partnering with Audubon to promote healthy, bird-friendly forests.
This training covers bird habitat needs, landscape- and stand-level planning, and tools to support your work in the field.
What to Expect:

Morning Sessions: Learn how to assess forest bird habitats needs and apply silviculture to support birds.
Afternoon Forest Tour: Participate in habitat assessment and management exercises in a mature forest stand.

Details:

When: Wednesday, August 20th, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET

Where: Green Mountain Audubon Center 255 Sherman Hollow Rd, Huntington, VT 05462

Credits & Endorsements: This training offers 4.5 Category 1 SAF CFEs and fulfills Steps 1 & 2 of the 3-step endorsement process.

Registration: Click the sign-up link below for additional details and instructions. Bring your own lunch; coffee and snacks will be provided.

Spaces are limited to 20 participants, so don’t miss your chance to secure your spot in this unique workshop!
Sign up today!

Georgia Heirs Property & Estate Planning Workshop
2025-08-22 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Register
Date: August 22, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Location: Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, 12 Madison St.
Talbotton, GA 31827
Cost: Free – $25.00
What you’ll learn:

– Heirs property essentials
– Estate planning process assistance
– How to work with an attorney
– Common types of Trusts
– Tools to keep your land in your family
– Planning for your land and your timber

Event Agenda
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Heirs Property
Estate Planning
Forest Management
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
*Lunch provided*
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Meet & greet with providers, sign up for additional services, and network with local resources

Significant mortality of old trees across a dry forest landscape in Oregon
2025-08-27 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Register
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.

Open Canopy Workshop
2025-09-03 12:00 - 2025-09-05 17:00 (America/New_York)
Open Canopy Workshop: Exploring the Ecology, Management, and Public Understanding of Eastern Woodland Ecosystems
Register
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at Noon – Friday, September 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Founders Union Building, University of Louisville, 450 N Whittington Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40222
Hosted by the American Bird Conservancy, the Open Canopy Workshop will highlight the historical extent, ecological value, and decline of open canopy forest systems in the Midwestern and eastern United States and elevate the urgent need for woodland ecosystem restoration and management to the forefront of the conservation community. Emphasis will be placed on the structural diversity and biodiversity of open canopy systems, and tools will be provided to help practitioners better communicate to diverse public and private audiences the value of these systems and the need to actively manage them. Case studies of successful restoration efforts will be presented to help inspire landscape-level solutions.

Northeastern Old Growth Conference
2025-09-17 - 2025-09-20
Wildlands and Old-Growth Forests: A Vision for the Future
Register
September 17 – 20, 2025
In-person and Virtual
Middlebury College Bread Loaf Campus
Ripton, Vermont
Full event website
Welcome to the Northeastern Old Growth Conference! We are looking forward to joining together with all who love old-growth forests and want to learn about their value, their ecology, and their conservation. We look forward to seeing you in person at Middlebury’s beautiful Bread Loaf Campus in Ripton, Vermont, or online, where talks will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing after the conference.
The Northeastern Old Growth Conference brings together researchers, conservationists, planners, policy makers, health professionals, and lovers of wild nature to share their knowledge and perspectives on old-growth ecosystems.
This year’s conference, Wildlands and Old-Growth Forests: A Vision for the Future, reflects the urgency of protecting wildlands and old-growth ecosystems for their critical contributions to biodiversity, climate resilience, and human well-being.

West Virginia WOW event
2025-09-19 11:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
To register, phone the WV DOF Beckley office at 304-256-6775 and leave a message.
September 19, 2025
11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
Pendleton County, near Ft. Seybert
Event flyer
Join a property tour and discussion about how this WOW host put her property under conservation easement with West Virginia Land Trust, implemented a project to protect the riverbank and water quality, developed golden winged warbler habitat, and tested methods for starting wildflower meadows.

Northeast Silviculture Institute Training Session 1
2025-09-24 - 2025-09-25
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension has openings for the upcoming Northeast Silviculture Institute modules:
Register
Northern Hardwoods (Sept. 24–25 in Bartlett, NH)
Time: All day event
The Northeast Silviculture Institute for Foresters is offering two in-person training sessions this fall. Designed for practicing foresters, the Institute provides the latest silvicultural knowledge to support effective forest management across the Northeast. Each session is limited to 50 participants, ensuring a diverse and engaged cohort of professionals. Registration is $150 and includes boxed lunches for both days. Interested foresters are encouraged to apply early, as selection is based on application responses.
If you are interested in attending one or all of the sessions, please follow this link to apply.
Please e-mail Steven Roberge with any questions: steven.roberge@unh.edu.

Forestry for the Birds: Columbia Stock Ranch Tour
2025-09-26 08:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Registration is full…sign up for the waitlist
Friday, September 26, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT
Columbia Stock Ranch, 68251 Columbia River Hwy, Rainier, OR
This event will bring together landowners, land managers, and bird enthusiasts to explore practical ways to enhance bird habitat in Oregon’s forests and working lands. No prior experience in birding or forestry is needed. Bring your curiosity, a willingness to share, and binoculars if you have them. Coffee and snacks will be provided for early arrivals.
Facilitators:

Austin Tomlinson, Coast Region Manager, Columbia Land Trust

Cindy McCormack, Sandhill Crane Monitoring Scientist, Columbia Land Trust

Jake Barker, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Forester, OSU Extension Services

Chanda Littlefield, PNW Region Coordinator, Forest Stewards Guild

This workshop is designed for a range of participants, including landowners, HOA and community managers, park stewards, foresters, and natural resource professionals.
Key topics will include:

Identifying and assessing bird habitat in various forest types, including ash and wetland.

Understanding focal bird species and habitat needs

Recognizing key trees, plants, and structural diversity that support birds

Applying bird-friendly forestry practices on a variety of landscapes

Agenda:
8:30 – Early birds get coffee & pastries
9:00 – Welcome & Introductions
9:15 – Forestry for the Birds Overview
9:30 – Forest tour applying the Guide
12:30 – End Workshop
NOTE: Policy on event cancellations –

If a registrant cancels their own registration ahead of the event 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).

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.

8th Annual Chainsaw Safety Workshop
2025-09-27 09:00 - 2025-09-28 15:30 (America/New_York)
Register
September 27 at 9:00 a.m. ET to September 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Event Flyer

Location: Williamsburg Forest, Williamsburg, ME
Registration Fee: Required
Limited Space: Only 6 spots available!

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is thrilled to offer our 8th Annual special Chainsaw Safety Workshop offering! This two-day workshop will take place on September 27th and 28th at Williamsburg Forest in Williamsburg, ME.
Participants will engage in hands-on instruction and demonstrations from expert presenters Sam Heffner, a Maine Forest Ranger, and Jack Houtz, a Forest Technician from the University of Maine. Topics include:

Chainsaw safety equipment & features
Maintenance & sharpening techniques
Practical applications
Tree felling techniques & more!

Spaces are limited to just 6 participants, so don’t miss your chance to secure your spot in this unique workshop! A registration fee is required. To register, please click the sign-up link, call the PCSWCD team at 207-564-2321 ext. 3, or email info@piscataquisswcd.org.

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

Wildland Urban Fire Summit (WUFs)
2025-09-30 - 2025-10-02
Register
September 30, 2025 – October 2, 2025
Student Community Center, Los Lunas, New Mexico

Wildfire Futures: Building Community, Connections & Empowerment: Join us this year in Valencia County for the Wildland Urban Fire Summit! WUFS is New Mexico’s leading event for wildfire preparedness and planning. Join your peers, community leaders, fire service professionals, and federal, state, tribal, and local governments for this in-person event. Community members will share regional history and discuss living in and adapting to the Wildland Urban Interface. Learn the latest techniques, strategies, and resources for wildfire preparedness, mitigation, and recovery. Expand your network of peers and experts to assist you in your fire/disaster resiliency goals. This event is open to the public, and we encourage everyone to attend.

See full agenda

Forest Management Tools for Songbird Conservation - Webinar
2025-09-30 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
Register for this webinar
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET
Join the Forest Stewards Guild and partners for an in-depth look at practical tools and strategies for managing forests to support healthy songbird populations. This 90-minute session will introduce concepts like connectivity and occupancy mapping, demonstrate how these approaches can guide on-the-ground decisions, and highlight conservation programs that align with bird-friendly forestry goals. Presenters will cover operational logistics, from identifying sites and developing harvest plans to large-scale management planning and share real-world examples of successful projects. Participants will also explore hands-on management tools, including connectivity and occupancy mapping resources, a NRCS approved forest management plan template, and bird friendly silviculture guide.
This event has been approved for 1 Category 1 continuing education credit by SAF.
Agenda
12:00 – 12:10: Welcome, introductions, & housekeeping
12:10 – 12:20: Wildlands Network – What is connectivity? What is occupancy mapping?
12:20 – 12:35: AMJV – Using occupancy mapping and connectivity as a management tool + working with local foresters
12:35 – 12:50: NRCS – Available conservation programs, bird ecology, model program project example
12:50 – 1:15: Aurora – Operational logistics (site ID, harvest plan, selling timber), largescale management planning
1:15 – 1:25: Breakouts – Tools for Management:

Connectivity mapping and bird occupancy
Management Plan Template
Silviculture Guide

1:25 – 1:30: Closing remarks

Forester Workshop: Forest Management Techniques to Improve Forest Diversity, Bird Habitat, and Climate Resilience
2025-10-03 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register
Friday, October 03, 2025
10:00 am – 1:00 pm ET
Long Pond Natural Area, Tamarack Ranch Road, Greensboro, VT
Wildlife and climate resiliency are top priorities for forest stewardship in Vermont. Join The Nature Conservancy, University of Vermont, and Audubon Vermont for a guided walk through the Long Pond Natural Area, a 321-acre demonstration site showcasing ecological forestry in action. Participants will explore active silvicultural projects, including climate-adapted tree plantings, stream restoration, and experimental timber harvests designed to enhance bird habitat and forest resilience. This workshop offers practical insights for foresters and natural resource professionals and is approved for 3 Category 1 SAF credits.
Register and see full event details on Audubon Vermont

Walk the Woods: How Good Forest Management Helps Forests, Birds, and the Climate
2025-10-04 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Register
Saturday, October 4, 2025
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Long Pond Natural Area, Tamarack Ranch Road, Greensboro, VT
Discover how thoughtful, science-based forest management can improve habitat for birds, strengthen forest resilience, and protect our watersheds. Join The Nature Conservancy, University of Vermont, and Audubon Vermont for a guided walk through a 321-acre demonstration project showcasing ecological forestry in action—including climate-adapted tree plantings, stream restoration, and carefully planned timber harvests. Whether you’re a landowner, conservation enthusiast, or curious Vermonter, this walk offers practical insights and inspiration.
Register and see full event details on Audubon Vermont

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…

Northwest Innovative Forestry Summit – 2025
2025-10-09 13:00 - 2025-10-11 13:30 (America/New_York)
Register (by September 23, 2025)
Early bird pricing has ended
After July 25: $350
Student registration: $250
Meals and on-site lodging are provided at no additional charge. Please declare preferences in registration.
*Individuals in need of financial assistance can contact chanda@forestguild.org to explore available options for support.
Northwest Innovative Forestry Summit – 2025
Meeting the Moment: Forest Stewardship in Times of Change
Dates: October 9 at 1:00 p.m. – October 11, at 1:30 p.m.
Location: Winema Camp, 5195 Winema Rd, Cloverdale, OR 98650
Approved for 9, Category 1 CEUs from SAF.
Draft Agenda
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.
Join us for a three-day gathering of forest practitioners, researchers, landowners, and community members dedicated to exploring forest stewardship in a time of ecological and social change. Hosted at the Winema Camp near Cascade Head, this year’s event will combine reflective conversations, diverse local perspectives, and hands-on field learning to explore ongoing developments in forest management. Through participatory sessions and a full-day field visit, participants will explore ways that forest practices reflect relationships with land, community, and future generations, and investigate collaborative approaches to resilient and adaptive silviculture. Whether you are managing forests, shaping policy, teaching the rising generation, or engaging in community-based stewardship, NIFS 2025 offers a space to learn, connect, and meet this moment together.
Over three days, participants will be invited to explore the ecological, cultural, and values-based dimensions of forest stewardship through a series of presentations, panel discussions, and field-based learning.

Day 1 will set the stage with diverse local voices sharing how they engage with the Cascade Head landscape—through ecology, art, community, culture, and forest management.
Day 2 will feature a full-day field visit that invites attendees to reflect on how different values shape silvicultural decisions and to collaboratively develop and share their own forest prescriptions.
Day 3 will close with reflection and group discussion, connecting lessons learned from the coastal landscape to participants’ own home places and practices.

Full agenda and information about speakers are coming soon. For full details visit the Northwest Innovation Forestry Summit webpage.

Lodging Opportunities
On-site
We’re excited to offer on-site lodging at Winema Camp, which includes dorm-style housing with shared rooms and multiple bunks. The setup is reminiscent of a classic summer camp—lively, informal, and communal. If that sounds like your style, be sure to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and ear plugs.
If dorm-style housing is not for you, you’re welcome to bring a tent and camp outdoors on the property. RVs are also welcome, and there is plenty of space with full hookups available. All on-site lodging options are available at no additional cost.

Off-site
Prefer more privacy? Participants are welcome to arrange their 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 is provided below.

Off-site Hotels
Cloverdale

Raines Resort Cabins (7.2 miles from Summit location)

Pacific City

Surf and Sand Inn (6.3 miles from Summit location)

Inn at Cape Kiwanda (7.6 miles from Summit location)

Lincoln City

There is a wide variety of hotels in and around Lincoln City. Note that a hotel in this location will be 17+ miles from the Summit location.

Off-site Camping
Cloverdale

Webb County Campground (7.8 miles from Summit location)

Whalen Island County Campground (12 miles from Summit location)

Sandbeach Campground (17 miles from Summit location)

There are a variety of additional campgrounds in the surrounding area. Take note that some campgrounds may only offer availability on a first come, first served basis or may need to be booked in advance.

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

Notes
Conditions: Field tours may include longer walks on uneven or steep terrain. 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.
Stuff to Bring:
If you are staying in Winema Camp’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 Winema Camp

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

If you are staying off-site or in an RV on-site

Water bottle

Sturdy closed toe shoes

Weather appropriate clothing

Sunscreen

Travel coffee/tea mug

*If you are planning to use on-site showers, please bring your own toiletries and bath towel.

NOTE: Policy on event cancellations:

The last day to cancel registration is September 23rd.
If a registrant cancels their own registration ahead of the event 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).
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.

This year’s partnering event organizers are featured below. Thank you!

Northeast Silviculture Institute Training Session 2
2025-10-14 - 2025-10-15
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension has openings for the upcoming Northeast Silviculture Institute modules:
Register
Spruce-Fir (Oct. 14–15 in Stewartstown, NH)
Time: All day event
The Northeast Silviculture Institute for Foresters is offering two in-person training sessions this fall. Designed for practicing foresters, the Institute provides the latest silvicultural knowledge to support effective forest management across the Northeast. Each session is limited to 50 participants, ensuring a diverse and engaged cohort of professionals. Registration is $150 and includes boxed lunches for both days. Interested foresters are encouraged to apply early, as selection is based on application responses.
If you are interested in attending one or all of the sessions, please follow this link to apply.
Please e-mail Steven Roberge with any questions: steven.roberge@unh.edu.

Northeastern Guild Gathering – Happy Hour in Burlington
2025-10-17 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Register (free of charge)
October 17, 2025 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET
Burlington Beer Co. 180 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT 05401
You’re invited! Join the Forest Stewards Guild for a lively Guild Gathering in beautiful Burlington, Vermont. Mix and mingle with fellow forestry professionals, Guild members, and staff—including our Executive Director, Zander Evans. This casual evening is the perfect chance to connect, share experiences, and enjoy great conversation in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
We’re celebrating our 30th Anniversary with special events like this one, honoring decades of ecological forestry and community stewardship. We’ll provide light appetizers, and you can grab more food and drinks for purchase.
Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to network, celebrate, and be part of the Guild’s vibrant community! Open to all.

Big trees burning: Divergent wildfire effects on large trees in open- vs. closed-canopy forests
2025-10-28 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Register
October 28, 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

Dr. Garrett Meigs, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, will share new research on contemporary versus historical fire effects, specific impacts on large trees within closed versus open canopies, and the role of fuel reduction treatments. Focusing on the 2021 Schneider Springs Fire, which encompassed 113,689 acres in the eastern Cascade Range of Washington and burned during a period of severe drought, this study addresses three interrelated questions:

1) Are burn severity distributions consistent with historical fire regimes in dry, moist, and cold forest types?
2) How does burn severity vary among forest structure classes, particularly large trees with open versus closed canopies? 3) How do fuel reduction treatments influence forest structure and burn severity inside and outside of treated areas?

The results highlight the susceptibility of dense, late-successional forests to contemporary fires, even in events with widespread potentially beneficial effects consistent with historical fire regimes. The findings also illustrate the effectiveness of treatments that shift large-closed to large-open structures and suggest that treatments may help mitigate fire effects in adjacent large-closed forests. The full scientific paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70360

Longleaf Pine as a Source of Food, Medicine, and Craft for Tribal Nations of the Southeast
2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Register
November 5, 2025
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. – Noon MT / Noon – 1:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
CFE credits are pending
Join us for this ForestHer NC event! Nancy Strickland Chavis is a prominent figure in the field of Native American history and culture. She has dedicated her career to museum education and administration, with significant contributions to the Museum of Contemporary Native Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and The American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City. Her current role is Director and Curator of The Museum of the Southeast American Indian at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Nancy is a member of the Lumbee Tribe and has been involved in various educational and cultural initiatives, including the Ancestral Corn Reclamation Project and the Green Corn Ceremony. Her work continues to inspire and educate audiences about the rich heritage and history of Native American tribes.

Mesophytic Coves: Hope for Hemlocks
2025-11-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register
November 14, 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Webinar on zoom – a join link will be sent to you after registration
North Carolina’s hemlock trees need your help. We have two species of hemlock in North Carolina – the eastern and the Carolina. The invasive hemlock woolly adelgid threatens both.
Though hemlocks are declining, there is hope to bring them back to their previous glory. The mission of the Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) is to work with a variety of partners and existing programs to restore hemlocks to long-term health throughout North Carolina and ensure that eastern and Carolina hemlocks can resist hemlock woolly adelgid and survive to maturity on North Carolina’s public and private lands.
Join Olivia from the HRI to learn about hemlock ecology, woolly adelgid biology, what is being done to help, and management strategies.

Ponderosa Pine Utilization Summit
2025-11-18 - 2025-11-20
Register
Tuesday, November 18 – Thursday, November 20,
High Country Conference Center, Flagstaff, AZ
Summit Purpose:
To engage a diverse group of forest managers, industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers in strategic discussions that examine the state of ponderosa pine forests and industry in the western United States. Through case studies, intentional dialogue, and working sessions, attendees will identify key barriers, develop practical solutions, explore innovations, and determine the resources needed to stabilize and grow the utilization of ponderosa pine.
Goals:

Develop a shared understanding of ecological and industry conditions for ponderosa pine
Identify barriers to scaling restoration and product utilization
Highlight emerging innovations, research, technologies, and successes
Collaboratively identify strategic actions in policy, research, markets, and infrastructure

See full agenda

Influence of resources, Invasive Chinese Tallow, and environmental stress on bottomland forest species
2025-11-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Register for this webinar
November 19, 2025
11:00 a.m. – Noon ET
Presenter: Zhongqian Cheng
The survival and growth of bottomland tree species in floodplain ecosystems are largely driven by species-specific resource and environmental conditions, and invasive Chinese tallow presences. Unpredictable timing and duration of hydroperiods have introduced greater uncertainty in seedling survival and growth. Dr. Cheng will present findings from one field study and two controlled greenhouse studies on several bottomland forest seedlings. These studies examined the underground and aboveground conditions needed for seedling survival and the response of seedling height growth to the presence of Chinese tallow, shade, and flooding conditions. We will discuss the management implications for monitoring bottomland forest restoration and controlling invasive species.
Presenter Bio:
I am currently a postdoc research associate in Forest Ecology and Management at Stephen F. Austin State University. I hold a PhD in Ecology from Peking University, a master’s degree in Silviculture, and a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Beijing Forestry University. In addition, I have worked or studied in Sweden, Finland, and Germany. My research interests focus on understanding forest dynamics and functions, and the role of silviculture practices in supporting sustainable forest management under changing climate and disturbance regimes.
This webinar is approved for 1 Category 1 continuing education credit through SAF.

This webinar is sponsored by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Webinar: Permanent retention of exceptional trees can improve ecosystem integrity in managed forests
2025-12-03 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Register
December 3, 2025
12:00 – 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
Please join us for a webinar with Drs. Stephen Sillett and Marie Antoine (Cal Poly Humboldt) as they share research on the contributions of exceptional trees—the most robust, fastest-growing individuals—to stand-level productivity and biomass in managed forests.
The discussion will highlight recent work conducted across 20 locations where exceptional trees were paired with nearby co-dominant trees. Trees were climbed and cored at multiple heights for growth history reconstruction. The same areas were scanned with airborne lidar, and new algorithms were developed for crown-level canopy segmentation. Lidar data were linked with direct measurements to allow precise estimates of landscape-level aboveground biomass.
Findings show that exceptional trees grow faster than typical trees and contribute disproportionately to forest biomass, yet are largely restricted to creek drainages protected by forest practice rules. If long-term carbon storage and forest resilience are management priorities, then silvicultural approaches to restore more large trees across the landscape should be considered. Permanent protection for a subset of robust, undamaged trees is a twist on retention forestry well-suited to all forests where tree longevity exceeds rotation ages used in timber extraction. Setting exceptional trees aside now offers a hopeful action for the future

Guild Members FSC General Assembly Update & Discussion
2025-12-05 14:15 - 15:15 (America/New_York)
Register (Limited to current Guild members)
December 5, 2025
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. ET
Join us for a Guild member–exclusive online event as we dive into insights from the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) recent General Assembly (GA) held in Panama City from October 26–31.
Guest Speaker: Richard Donovan
Richard will share his firsthand experience and highlight the major takeaways from this important triennial gathering—one that plays a critical role in shaping the future of global forest certification processes.
Following the presentation, we’ll open the floor for a member discussion, offering space for conversation, questions, and shared reflections.

Tree Planting Best Practices in the Northeast - Webinar
2025-12-18 10:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York)
Register
December 18, 2025
10:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m. ET
Join this webinar where Guild member Dr. Tony D’Amato and Dr. Peter Clark from the University of Vermont will describe a new tree planting guide developed for foresters and natural resources professionals working in the Northeast: “Reforestation Guide: Tree Planting to Enrich, Restore, and Adapt Northern Forests.”
This webinar is jointly hosted by the Massachusetts Ecosystem Climate Adaptation Network Forests Work Group, the University of Vermont, The Nature Conservancy, and the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science. This event has been pre-approved for SAF CFE credit.

Changing climate may drive large shifts in vegetation zones of Oregon
2026-01-13 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Register
January 13, 2026
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Please join a webinar presented by Dr. Yegorova on large changes possible for Oregon’s future forests. Dr. Yegorova and the research team used climate analog-based impact models and a co-production process with land managers to project future vegetation changes for Oregon (2041–2070, RCP 8.5) at a management-relevant spatial resolution (270-m). They found that analog-based models performed well at reproducing landscape-level vegetation composition, and moderately well at reproducing vegetation at the pixel level. Their results suggest that 64% of the study area will experience future climate conditions that support different potential natural vegetation types and 59% will experience climates corresponding with different potential plant physiognomic types, compared to reference-period conditions. The research team projects a 60% reduction of mesic conifer-dominated forests with transitions to mixed evergreen forest types. They also project losses to dry forests, cold forests and parklands, with commensurate expansions of shrublands, grasslands, and geographic redistribution of dry forest types.
The webinar will also provide guidance for using future vegetation projections and uncertainty outputs in management decisions using the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) adaptation framework. Read the paper at: https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1637821

BF 235: Silvopasture course
2026-01-14 18:30 - 2026-02-18 20:00 (America/New_York)
Register
Wednesdays, from from January 14 – February 18
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Full event details
Join Guild member Eli Roberts to learn to Integrate Trees, Livestock, and Forage for Multiple Wins on Your Farm.
There are many ways of combining trees, forage, and animals in useful, efficient, practical, and profitable arrangements. But none of these outcomes is guaranteed, and there are a lot of decisions required! When you take this course, you’ll be able to describe, plan for, and evaluate particular silvopasture practices and understand their place in the broader categories of Silvopasture and Agroforestry. You’ll also understand the potential pitfalls that differentiate good silvopasture from poor land management. You’ll leave with the tools to create silvopasture plans for your farm, and to engage with the topic of silvopasture as a practitioner and experimenter.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Plan a silvopasture project of your own, and understand how your plan relates to other silvopastures, and how it fits into the larger category of practices that involve trees on farms.
Articulate goals, clarify functions, plan layout and species, and choose implementation methods.
Understand the guardrails of silvopasture practice, and have the tools to avoid unmanaged forest grazing.
Have the tools to evaluate and make the decisions that will get you to a functional silvopasture.

This course is hosted by the Cornell Small Farms Program.

Guardians and gardeners: Managing wilderness for the twenty-first century
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Register
January 22, 2026
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Please join us for a presentation and discussion on wilderness in the 21st century. The 1964 Wilderness Act provides robust protections to landscapes designated as federal wilderness. The National Wilderness Preservation System, which includes 806 wilderness areas and 111 million acres, represents the world’s largest highly protected conservation network. However, a long-standing ethos of nonmanagement—exemplified by the philosophy that managers should be guardians but not gardeners—obscures long legacies of Indigenous stewardship and may not sustain essential wilderness values in a time of unprecedented ecological stressors. Many wildernesses are increasingly subject to complex and compounding unintentional (as well as intentional) human influences.
In this webinar, Dr. Boerigter will present how a guardians and gardeners approach would acknowledge Indigenous influence, recognize contemporary and future environmental challenges, and provide managers the necessary rationale to respond to these complex realities. In the twenty-first century, it may be necessary to carefully, thoughtfully, and compassionately reimagine the dominant wilderness philosophy. Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf141
