Forest Stewards Guild

School of Forest Resources Book Reading by author Guild Member in Maine
2024-09-20 15:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
3:00 p.m. ET: Coe Room of the Memorial Union at the University of Maine Orono
4:30 p.m. ET: informal Meet-the-Author event at the Orono Brewing Company
Parking pass
Come meet Ethan Tapper, forester and Forest Stewards Guild member, at the University of Maine-Orono, as he reads from his new book: How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. How to Love a Forest is a “reimagining of forests and what it means to care for them,” that has been endorsed by environmental authors such as Doug Tallamy, Ben Goldfarb, Bill McKibben, Tom Wessels and others. At this event, Ethan will read from How to Love a Forest, discuss what inspired the book, answer questions, and sign books.
Ethan Tapper is a forester, author, birder, naturalist and digital creator from Vermont, recognized as a thought-leader and a disruptor in the conservation community of the northeastern United States and beyond. Among other awards and distinctions, Ethan has been named the Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Alliance’s Forester of the Year and the American Tree Farm System’s National Tree Farm Inspector of the Year. Ethan is a regular contributor to Northern Woodlands magazine and a variety of other publications, and is a digital creator with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok (all under the handle @HowToLoveAForest). Learn more about Ethan and his work at EthanTapper.com.
A full line-up of Ethan’s Maine book tour is outlined here!

Loving the Land Through Working Forests
2024-09-21 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Registration coming soon
September 21, 2024
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Location announced soon
Full event details page
This field conference hosted every year by Guild partners at the Foundation for Sustainable Forests is all about forests – threats, management practices, and ways that we can enhance their resilience and overall health. The day will be full of field-based presentations and walks on critical and emerging topics related to forest stewardship and conservation. Pre-registration is required and all are welcome! See the full event page for the conference program and speaker line-up, with new information added regularly as speakers are confirmed!

Sustaining Ash Partners Network (SAP-Ne) Kick Off Webinar
2024-10-02 09:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Webinar Recording
October 2, 2024
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. ET
Event flyer for download
Agenda
You’re invited to register for the Forest Stewards Guild’s Sustaining Ash Partners Network (SAP-Ne) kick-off webinar event! Join the launch of our network to promote a collaborative approach to ash preservation in the Northeast, with a morning of learning and dialogue with experts across Tribal Nations, academic, governmental, and private organizations.
The preservation of ash in the face of emerald ash borer (EAB) is a growing concern. Contributing to this forest health challenge, it is often increasingly difficult to work across boundaries and respond at the scales needed to develop lasting solutions. To address this need, SAP-Ne supports a regional response to EAB through education, outreach, and engagement with diverse forest stewards across the Northeast (i.e., Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts) by encouraging landscape level actions to sustain ash, sharing stories of hope, and amplifying the cultural significance of ash among Indigenous peoples.
Our first kick-off webinar will:

Announce our multi-year network goals;
Explore western scientific and Indigenous perspectives on ash stewardship;
Share experiences to inspire and engage forest stewards in ash preservation;
Identify gaps in regional training and resources which SAP-Ne will aim to fill; and
Serve as a call to action to address the ecological, social, and cultural impacts of EAB.

Our speaker lineup includes:

Anthony D’Amato, Professor and Forestry Program Director, University of Vermont
Richard Silliboy, Basketmaker and Vice Chief, Mi’kmaq Nation
Caitlin Cusack, Forester, Vermont Land Trust
Les Benedict, Environment Division Assistant Director, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

Following the plenary talks, attendees will be invited to participate in breakout sessions, led by program partners from their associated state (i.e., ME, NH, VT, NY, MA), where participants will have the opportunity to share their concerns, lessons learned, and resources/training opportunities and/or needs.
Are you interested in learning more about stewarding ash across the landscape? Then sign up for this event today!
This event is approved for 1.00 SAF Category 1 Continuing Ed Credit.
Our network is supported by the USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration program.
If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Swanwick at rswanwick@forestguild.org.

Northwest Innovative Forestry Summit 2024
2024-10-03 14:00 - 2024-10-05 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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.

NIFS 2022 attendees gathered each night by campfire to keep the “spark” alive after sessions.
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

Trout Lake Valley Inn (1 mile from Summit location)
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

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

Surrounding area

Goose Lake Campground (14 miles from Summit location. Availability on a first come, first served basis)
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:

Last day to cancel registration is September 18, 2024
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).
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.

International Oak Symposium
2024-10-07 08:00 - 2024-10-10 19:00 (America/New_York)
Register
October 7 at 8:00 a.m. – October 10 at 7:00 p.m., 2024 (ET)
The Hilton, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
501 W Church Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA
Full event details webpage
Lodging: Reserve a room with this direct link or call (800) 774-1500 by September 15 for a group rate
The University of Tennessee’s School of Natural Resources is proud to host an International Oak Symposium in 2024 to provide a platform to exchange information and build collaborations around the best available science and technology on oak ecology and management for a global audience. Field trip(s) will be offered that showcase multi-disciplinary research of the USDA Forest Service and other partners.
The overall goal of this symposium is to cultivate and promote synergy among natural resource managers and researchers working towards practical applications to sustain or restore oak ecosystems around the world. The symposium will address the most current issues and complexities related to science-based management of oak species and forests at global, regional, and local scales. The four-day program seeks to engage a diverse audience of managers and scientists in a forum that fosters innovation in silviculture and management for sustainability of oak forests.
Our specific objectives are to provide platforms, products, and opportunities for:

technology transfer and dialogue between researchers and managers
scientific exchanges among researchers
fostering collaborations between managers and researchers
production of peer-reviewed research papers
Contribute towards professional development of students and early-career scientists

Detailed agendas will be shared as they are available:
Monday, October 7, 2024 – Plenary Session
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 – Concurrent Sessions, Round Table Discussions
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – Concurrent Sessions, Panel Discussions
Thursday, October 10, 2024 – Field trip (TBA)

Wisconsin SAF Annual Meeting
2024-10-16 - 2024-10-17
Register
October 16 – 17, 2024
Lake of the Torches Casino
Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
Flyer for download
Topics will include some close to the Guild’s heart and focus, in the context of trends and projects in ecological forest management in Wisconsin. Field tour on the second day.

Beech management and control in the context of beech leaf disease
2024-10-22 09:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Register
October 22, 2024
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
Varney Memorial Building
24 Veterans Highway Brooks, ME 04921
The event is free and lunch will be provided.
New England Forestry Foundation will co-host this event with the E D Bessey and Son company.
This event will include several presentations indoors and then a field visit to the managed forests of the E D Bessey and Son company in Brooks, Maine. 4WD is preferable for accessing the field sites but carpooling will be posssible. Learn about the prospects for beech health and survival under the double pressure of beech bark and beech leaf diseases, and what approaches are being researched to maintain some healthy beech in the landscape. Then we will see a decade of field experiments in working forests to diversify stands dominated by low-vigor beech towards a broader range of commercial species.
Part of the event will take place on E D Bessey and Son company lands, where we will see how they have been trying to diversify beech-dominated stands using silviculture and vegetation control. In the morning we will hear from the leading experts on beech leaf disease from the US and Maine Forest Services about current understanding of beech leaf disease dynamics, mortality and survival, and how they are experimenting with keeping a healthy component of beech in the landscape.
We think this event will be useful for foresters and landowners who want a holistic understanding of beech management: both how we can help this species survive in northeastern forests, but also how to manage for more diversity when unhealthy beech sprouts have come to dominate a stand.

Bird-Friendly Forestry in West Virginia – Natural Resource Workshop
2024-11-15 09:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York)
Register (no charge for Guild members, $10 otherwise)
November 15, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Near Beckley, WV (exact location provided upon registration)
This event is intended for natural resources practitioners and SAF Continuing Education Credits approval is pending.
Accessibility: We will be walking on uneven ground in the woods.
Join the Forest Stewards Guild, Aurora Sustainable Lands, Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlands Network, and West Virginia NRCS to learn about forestry for birds in West Virginia.
We will learn about:

The concepts of bird-friendly forestry
How to apply management practices
Operational realities and stories of implementation in practice
How to look at a forest through the eyes of a bird
Bird identification tips and tricks

And we will be reviewing the newly published Bird Friendly Forest Management Silviculture Guide while enjoying the woods!
This event is intended for natural resources practitioners and landowners.
Agenda:
8:30 am – Check In
9:00 am – Welcome
9:30 am – Walking Tour
12:30 pm – Wrap Up

Contact Sarah: shagan@forestguild.org with questions.

Minnesota Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting
2025-01-08 09:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
Registration is closed
Please follow the MN Prescribed Fire Council on Facebook or our website: https://www.mnprescribedfire.org/
January 8, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Central Time
Location: 2150 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN 55372
Agenda for download
Join us for Minnesota Prescribed Fire Council updates, presentations and discussions about the Minnesota and Wisconsin Certified Prescribed Burn Manager programs, and a field trip to the Hocokata Ti’s public exhibit to learn about Dakota history, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s prairie restorations, and efforts to revitalize cultural burning.
There will be a field component to this meeting. We do not anticipate any arduous hiking but it is January in Minnesota so please come prepared with appropriate clothes and footwear for short forest walks on uneven terrain.
We will not be seeking continuing education credits for this event.
Logistics:

Lunch provided courtesy of Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
We will carpool to the field tour site, about 10 minutes away from our meeting location

Please bring:

Water bottle
Warm clothes
Footwear that can get muddy or snowy

Guild Discussion on the Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project
2025-01-14 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Register (open to Guild members)
Date: January 14th, 2025
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm ET
Location: Zoom (Link will be provided upon registration)
Agenda
Please join the Guild’s Northeast region and Membership and Policy Council to discuss the Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project (IRP) in Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest. The plan promotes an innovative approach to national forest management to enhance old forest conditions and climate-smart forestry principles, which could guide national forests across the country.
We’ll discuss the proposed project, guidelines for identifying and protecting old growth stands, and standards for promoting ecological forestry on the Telephone Gap IRP. Our speakers include:

Jamey Fidel, General Counsel & Forest and Wildlife Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Bill Keeton, Professor, University of Vermont
Tim Duclos, Forest Program Senior Associate, Audubon Vermont

Following the talks, attendees will participate in a question-and-answer discussion with our project experts.
This Guild discussion is intended for Guild members only.

Lingering Hemlock Project (webinar)
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
Register (no charge)
January 15, 2025
Noon ET / 11:00 a.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. MT / 9:00 a.m. PT
90- minutes
Join Olivia Hall from The Hemlock Restoration Initiative to learn about the Lingering Hemlock Project, which aims to support resistance breeding in hemlock trees for long-term control against hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA).
This project is a subset of Tree Species in Peril, a The Nature Conservancy project to further development of pest-resistant native northeastern tree species at risk from invasive pests. It focuses specifically on locating and breeding resistant hemlock trees.
The Lingering Hemlock Project is a coalition of academic institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Each partner in the coalition plays a different role in the development of HWA-resistant hemlock trees, an ambitious but promising goal.
Agenda:

Introduction, Tree Species in Peril overview: ~10 minutes
Eastern Hemlock Decline overview: ~5 minutes
Lingering Hemlock project details: ~10 minutes
How to ID a Lingering Hemlock: ~15 minutes
What to do if you’re in an area that doesn’t have hemlock mortality yet?: ~15 minutes
Questions

More info:
The Lingering Hemlock Project, a subset of The Nature Conservancy’s “Tree Species in Peril,” aims to locate and selectively breed eastern and Carolina hemlocks with genetic resistance to the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). This insect is invasive in eastern North America and has already contributed to widespread hemlock mortality in much of the southeastern United States. As it continues to spread through the northeastern US, research into how to save hemlock trees is ramping up. While strategies such as chemical control are effective in the short-term, longer-term hemlock protection depends on biocontrol and selective breeding to promote hemlock woolly adelgid resistance. In this presentation, Olivia Hall from the North Carolina Hemlock Restoration Initiative will share more about how natural areas can participate in the Lingering Hemlock Project. In the southeastern US, project partners can locate and record data on hemlocks that remain healthy despite HWA infestations. In the northeastern US, project partners can establish hemlock plots and monitor their health and decline annually. By detecting hemlock trees that are more resistant to the damage caused by HWA, this project aims to identify HWA-resistant genotypes to support resistance breeding in eastern and Carolina hemlocks.

Ecological Forestry: Boots on the Ground with Alex Barrett
2025-01-16 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Register (required and free)
Jan 16, 2025
6:30 – 8:00 p.m. ET
North Branch Nature Center
713 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
Google map
Ecological forestry is the practice of using logging to make forests healthier. As we ask more and more of our woods, the field of ecological forestry has emerged to put forest ecosystem health first—without losing sight of other economic and resource goals. Guild member and Consulting Forester Alex Barrett of Long View Forest will provide a practitioner’s perspective on how ecological forestry works, and how it is changing how we think about managing forests—from landowner perceptions, to economics, to our society’s reliance on the products and services that forests provide. About Alex: Alex Barrett is a Forester with Long View Forest based in Hartland and Westminster, VT. There, he leads the Forest Management Division which includes 4 other foresters and 4 field technicians. He is a licensed Forester in VT, MA, and NH, and holds a Master of Forestry degree from the Yale School of the Environment. Alex is a member of the Forest Stewards Guild and the Society of American Foresters. His passion is growing, and sometimes harvesting, great trees. Read more about Alex’s work.

Building Ecosystem Resilience & Adaptive Capacity: Aspen Ecology and Management in the Southwest
2025-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
Register
January 22, 2025
12:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Dr. Connor Crouch will share insights from his recent paper “Building Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptive Capacity: a Systematic Review of Aspen Ecology and Management in the Southwest“

Guild Happy Hour in Santa Fe
2025-01-28 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
January 28, 2025
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. MT
Second Street Brewing
2920 Rufina Street
Santa Fe, NM
Kick off 2025 and the Guild’s 30th year with us at a Santa Fe Happy Hour! Connect with friends, partners, and Guild staff for drinks, nachos, and conversation. We have so much to celebrate and so much work ahead to do together. Let’s pause to connect and inspire one another.
More details soon…

Pathways to Sustain Ash Series: Why Preserve Ash Seed? (webinar)
2025-02-20 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Pathways to Sustain Ash Webinar & Field Tour Series
Webinar #1, Why Preserve Ash Seed?
Register for this first webinar in the series
February 20, 2025
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. ET
Agenda
Are you interested in learning more about stewarding ash across the landscape and getting involved in seed collection efforts? Then join the Forest Stewards Guild and partners for event one of our three-part series Pathways to Sustain Ash.
This kick-off webinar will lay the foundation for exploring the importance and prioritization of ash seed preservation. Our speakers will:

Provide a regional status update on ash and emerald ash borer (EAB) infestations in the Northeast
Teach ash ID basics (i.e., bark, bud, leaf, seed)
Explore western scientific and Indigenous perspectives on ash preservation
Share diverse values on the importance of collecting ash seeds
Answer your questions in a Q&A session with our speakers

Speakers:

Dr. Nate Siegert, Forest Entomologist, USDA Forest Service
Jessica Raspitha, Environmental Specialist, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
Dr. Jill Hamilton, Associate Professor & Director, Schatz Center for Tree Molecular Genetics, Penn State
Jeff Carstens, Horticulturist, USDA-ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station

This event is approved for 1.00 SAF Category 1 Continuing Education Credit.
About the Series:
Event Series Flyer
Through two webinars and a field tour, this three-part series will explore innovative approaches and perspectives to sustaining ash through tree identification basics, seed collection, seed processing, propagation, and planting. Join us for one or all of the upcoming events (space permitting).
Webinar 1: Why Preserve Ash Seed?, February 20th, 10:00-11:30 a.m. ET
Webinar 2: The How-To of Ash Seed Preservation from Collection to Propagation, March 6th, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Field Tour: New Hampshire State Forest Nursery Field Tour, March 20th, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. ET
This series is organized by the Sustaining Ash Partners Network (SAP-Ne).
The Sustaining Ash Partners Network is supported by the USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration program.
If you have questions, please contact Rachel Swanwick at rswanwick@forestguild.org.

Forest management and soil carbon: ecoregional trends in the eastern U.S.
2025-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register for this webinar
February 27, 2025
Noon Eastern Time
Research Associate Professor Luke Nave (Michigan Technological University, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science) will present findings from several years of collaborative soil carbon management synthesis publications. The presentation will focus on the effects of forest harvesting and land use change in the Northeast, drawing in results and tools from other ecoregions to highlight the unique aspects of the Northeast.

Pathways to Sustain Ash Series: The How-To of Ash Seed Preservation (webinar)
2025-03-06 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Pathways to Sustain Ash Webinar & Field Tour Series
Webinar #2, The How-To of Ash Seed Preservation from Collection to Propagation
Register for this webinar
March 6th, 2025
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Agenda
Are you interested in learning more about stewarding ash across the landscape and getting involved in seed collection efforts? Then join the Forest Stewards Guild and partners for event two of our three-part series Pathways to Sustain Ash.
This webinar will delve into the ways that ash seed is harvested, processed, and stored. Our speakers will share their on-the-ground experiences and offer practical solutions to help build a community of practice around ash seed collection. Following the talks, attendees will be invited to participate in breakout sessions, led by program partners, to discuss planning for their own ash seed collection season. Our webinar will:

Provide attendees with the knowledge and resources to harvest, process, and store ash seed
Illustrate the seed collection cycle from harvesting to storing
Create a forum for community dialogue through break-out groups to discuss ash seed collection needs and goals

Speakers:

Tyler Everett, PhD Candidate, Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabankik, University of Maine
Ella McDonald, MS Student, Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabankik, University of Maine
Les Benedict, Environment Division Assistant Director, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
Emily Baisden, Seed Center Director, Wild Seed Project

This event is approved for 1.00 SAF Category 1 Continuing Education Credit.
About the Series:
Event Series Flyer
Through two webinars and a field tour, this three-part series will explore innovative approaches and perspectives to sustaining ash through tree identification basics, seed collection, seed processing, propagation, and planting. Join us for one or all of the upcoming events (space permitting).
Webinar 1: Why Preserve Ash Seed?, February 20th, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Webinar 2: The How-To of Ash Seed Preservation from Collection to Propagation, March 6th, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Field Tour: New Hampshire State Forest Nursery Field Tour, March 20th, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
This series is organized by the Sustaining Ash Partners Network (SAP-Ne). The Sustaining Ash Partners Network is supported by the USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration program.
If you have questions, please contact Rachel Swanwick at rswanwick@forestguild.org.

Modeling forest management and wood use across seven US states (webinar)
2025-03-07 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register
March 7, 2025
9:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. MT / 11:00 CT / 12:00 p.m. ET
State and local governments are increasingly interested in the role forests and harvested wood products play in regional carbon sinks and storage as well as the interactions between GHG reduction goals and potential economic opportunities. We used empirically driven process-based forest carbon dynamics and harvested wood product models in a systems-based approach to project the carbon impacts of various forest management and wood utilization activities across seven US states. To quantify state-wide forest carbon dynamics, we integrated forest inventory data, harvest and management activity data, and remotely-sensed metrics of land-use change and natural forest disturbances within a participatory modeling approach. We accounted for net GHG emissions across (1) forest ecosystems (2) harvested wood products, (3) substitution benefits from wood product utilization, and (4) leakage associated with reduced in-state harvesting activities. Preliminary findings show that both strategic forest management and wood utilization can provide substantial GHG mitigation potential relative to a business-as-usual scenario and potential future climate conditions. Key forest management activities include maintaining and increasing forest extent, reducing wildfire risk and severity, fostering forest resiliency and natural regeneration, encouraging sustainable harvest practices, balancing timber supply and wood utilization with tree growth, and preparing for future climate impacts.

Preserving Ash for the Future (webinar)
2025-03-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register
March 14 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
It’s not too late!
As the Emerald Ash Borer makes its way into Vermont’s forests we have an opportunity to mitigate the loss of ash trees and help preserve ash trees for the future. Join us to learn about strategies that landowners, foresters, conservation organizations, and community leaders can employ to promote well-adapted forests that include ash in the future.
Presenters:

Dr Tony D’Amato, Professor in Silviculture & Forest Ecology, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont. Guild member, on the Guild’s Board of Directors.
Paul Catanzaro, Professor, State Extension Forester, University of Massachusetts

This event is perfect for landowners, foresters, and community forest managers. For background and as a resource afterwards, please see Managing Northeastern Forests Threatened by Emerald Ash Borer. For those interested, forester continuing education credits (1.0 CFE credit) will be available through the Society of American Foresters.

Pathways to Sustain Ash Series: New Hampshire State Forest Nursery Field Tour
2025-03-20 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Pathways to Sustain Ash Webinar & Field Tour Series
Registration is full and closed.
New Hampshire State Forest Nursery Field Tour
March 20, 2025
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location:
NH State Nursery
405 Daniel Webster Highway
Boscawen, New Hampshire 03303
Agenda
This in-person event is limited to 25 attendees, so act fast to reserve your spot! Registration is free and lunch is provided.
Are you interested in learning more about stewarding ash across the landscape and getting involved in seed collection efforts? Then join the Forest Stewards Guild and partners for event three of our three-part series Pathways to Sustain Ash.
We’re wrapping up our Pathways to Sustain Ash series with a field tour to see preservation in action at the New Hampshire (NH) State Forest Nursery.
Our field tour will:

Discuss NH’s ongoing multi-year efforts to conduct integrated pest management (i.e., insecticide, silviculture, biocontrol) to preserve mature ash and promote ash regeneration
Learn about upcoming ash enrichment plantings in NH and tour ash seedlings
Explore the innovative seed processing, propagation, and planting efforts at the NH State Forest Nursery
Network with your community over a provided lunch and casual conversation in the seed counting room

Speakers:

Billy Kunelius, NH State Forest Nursery Manager, NH State Forest Nursery
Bill Davidson, Forest Health Specialist, NH Forest Health Program, NH Division of Forests and Lands

This event is approved for 2.50 SAF Category 1 Continuing Education Credit.
About the Series:
Event Series Flyer
Through two webinars and a field tour, this three-part series will explore innovative approaches and perspectives to sustaining ash through tree identification basics, seed collection, post-collection processing, and propagation. Join us for one or all of the upcoming events (space permitting).
Webinar 1: Why Preserve Ash Seed? February 20, 2025, 10:00-11:30 a.m. ET
Webinar 2: The How-To of Ash Seed Preservation from Collection to Propagation. March 6, 2025, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Field Tour: New Hampshire State Forest Nursery Field Tour. March 20, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. ET
This series is organized by the Sustaining Ash Partners Network (SAP-Ne). The Sustaining Ash Partners Network is supported by the USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration program.
If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Swanwick at rswanwick@forestguild.org.

University of Alabama Guild Student Chapter Canoe Trip
2025-03-22 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Registration extended to March 19th!
Space is limited. Students are encouraged to register early so we can prioritize your participation.
March 22, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT.
Back up date is April 12, 2025
Park at: 201 Seventh Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Group vans will transport us to the canoe put-in.
Join UA’s chapter of the Forest Stewards Guild for a forestry-focused canoe trip along the Cahaba River! We will be discovering how managing forests affects river and stream ecosystems.
At a glance:

Beginner friendly canoe trip lead by the Cahaba River Society
Boats, paddles, and gear will be provided with registration fee
Transportation for the event to and from campus are provided

Please bring:

Water bottle,
Packed lunch,
Sunscreen,
Closed-toe footwear and clothes that can get muddy. Feet WILL get wet. No crocs, typically old sneakers work best,
Change of clothes in case you get too wet.

Guild Gathering at the New England SAF Annual Meeting 2025
2025-03-27 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Register (free of charge)
March 27, 2025
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Bandoleros Mexican Grill
4 Ryan’s Way, Devens, MA 01434
The Forest Stewards Guild is hosting a Guild Gathering at this year’s New England Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting. This event is part of the Guild’s 30th Anniversary event series, celebrating decades of advancing sustainable forestry and community stewardship.
Join Guild members, and conference attendees interested in becoming a Guild members, for a social evening of networking and conversation with fellow forestry professionals. This event will be held in walking distance from the conference venue. Light appetizers will be provided with additional food and drinks available for purchase.

Understanding Passive Forest Management to Further Ecological Forestry
2025-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
April 2, 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m. ET
Join us for an insightful webinar featuring Paul Catanzaro, Forest Ecology and Conservation Professor at the University of Massachusetts & Massachusetts State Extension Forester! In this session, Paul will share findings from the recently published study he co-authored: Understanding Passive Forest Management on Family Forest-Owned Land in New England to Further Ecological Forestry (Denaroso, Catanzaro, and Markowski-Lindsay, 2025). This presentation will:
Bridge Passive and Active Forest Management with Ecological Forestry Principles

Discover how passive forest management (PFM) and active forest management (AFM) are complementary components of ecological forestry, essential to sustaining the full suite of forest benefits.

Reveal How Family Forest Owners View Passive Forest Management

What proportion of Family Forest Owners (FFOs) are interested in the intentional PFM approach for some or all of their land? Unpack the key factors that guide FFOs as they navigate the choices surrounding passive forest management (PFM).

Discuss the Critical Role that Foresters Play in Passive Forest Management

Many landowners interested in PFM express their intent to work with foresters. Foresters have a crucial role in implementing PFM to complement AFM and sustain forest benefits.

Professor Catanzaro will be joined by the study’s co-author, Marla Markowski-Lindsay, Senior Research Fellow at the Family Forest Research Center, who will be available to help answer your questions during the Q&A segment at the end of the webinar.

Guild student and professional career call spring 2025
2025-04-08 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Register
April 8, 2025
5:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 MT / 7:00 CT / 8:00 ET
If you are a Student or Professional member of the Guild, please register for this gathering to:
1) meet other members,
2) hear from professionals about their jobs, what was important to them in college, and what they wish they knew or did when graduating, (your advice and tips help students choose degree programs and research projects, and have more clarity joining the workforce),
3) hear from students about their concerns as they search and prepare for careers in today’s employment landscape,
4) enjoy an informal Q&A time before the end of this term.

The future of forest stewardship (virtual conversation among Guild members)
2025-04-10 19:00 - 2025-04-11 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register (choose one or both sessions below)
Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. EDT
Friday, April 11, 2025 at Noon EDT
Guild members are invited to join a conversation about the rapid change in federal priorities and what that means for the future of forest stewardship in the U.S. We are in a tumultuous time and we need a space where Guild members can talk about that change. Zander Evans will facilitate an open forum where Guild members can share information about new policies and think through implications for stewardship. For example, if states are asked to shoulder more of the forest stewardship burden as the federal workforce is reduced, what are the implications? How might different states react? What is the Guild’s role? The conversation is likely to be wide-ranging and a bit chaotic but will hopefully signal how we can serve members in the future.

A Guild Student Chapter Highlight: University of Alabama
2025-04-14 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Register
Zoom join info will be emailed to you after registration
April 14, 2025
5:00 p.m. Pacific / 6:00 MT / 7:00 CT / 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Join Lilly Roehrig, President of the University of Alabama Guild Student Chapter, as she shares tips and tricks for a successful foundation for your student chapter. Lilly will also highlight some of the activities of this very busy chapter!
If you are ready to be inspired by learning more than you realized there was to learn about a Guild student chapter, join us and support these students with your attention, questions, and ideas.
There will be time for other student members to ask Lilly questions about the UA Chapter, and for everyone to discuss ideas and connections across student chapters, prospective Guild chapter advisors, and professional members.

Tree People: Trees, Forests and the Human Imagination (virtual retreat)
2025-04-15 16:00 - 2025-04-29 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Register (free, with suggested donation)
Note: the date of the third session of this retreat has been moved. It is now scheduled for May 6. See you then!
April 15, 22 and May 6, 2025
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. PT / 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. MT / 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. CT / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
A Forest Stewards Guild 30th Anniversary Guild Gathering event over zoom!
Retreat facilitator: Jason Minton Brown, Guild member and Lecturer in the Department of Global Humanities at Simon Fraser University and founder of holyscapes.org.
Synopsis: In this 3-part online-based participatory retreat/workshop we will explore the deep connection human cultures have forged with trees and forests and how these ‘arboreal’ cultures are expressed today. We will investigate the evolutionary past of tree-beings and explore their importance to the world’s religious and mythological systems. We will track the history of the modernist camps of agricultural, conservation, wilderness and Indigenous approaches to forestry practice. And end the workshop with an imaginative exploration of the future of forests. Along the way we will ask participants to examine their own relationship to trees and ask how they understand the role of trees in a changing global civilization and climate.
Learning/Exploration Outcomes

Explore the relationship between trees, forests and human societies.
Learn about how trees and forests show up in the world’s religious and spiritual traditions.
Understand the cultural history of forestry, natural resources and ecological sciences related to trees and forests.
Deepen one’s personal relationship to trees and forest spaces.

Workshop Outline:
One-and-a-half-hour, weekly format with short slide presentation, group discussion and weekly field journal invitations:

Week 1: The Primeval Forest: The role of trees and forests in religion and mythology.
Week 2: The New Forest: The rise of conservation, wilderness and the new science of tree communication and ecology.
Week 3: The Known Forest: The ways in which we relate to and understand trees and forests on a personal level.

Retreat facilitator bio:
Jason Brown was born and raised in Southern California and studied anthropology and international development as an undergraduate at Brigham Young University. He has lived in Vancouver, BC since 2013 and is a dual citizen of the US and Canada and is a proud Cascadian. He earned joint master’s degrees in forestry and theology from Yale. He completed his PhD in 2017 from the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) at the University of British Columbia where his dissertation explored the sense of place of contemporary Catholic monks in the American West. His book on the experience, Dwelling in the Wilderness: Modern Monks in the American West was published in 2024. As a Lecturer at Simon Fraser University Jason teaches courses in religious studies and ecological humanities for the department of Global Humanities. He teaches a course entitled Trees, Forests and the Human Imagination. He is also an un-ordained, non-aligned earth chaplaincy for Simon Fraser University. The program seeks to promote contemplative practice as a response to climate anxiety and grief. He writes at www.holyscapes.org.
You can hear more from Jason in his Contemplative Forestry podcast session and the recording of the Guild’s Communicating Forestry Webinar Series called “Give Me That Old Growth Religion.“

Biochar and carbon removal credits for landowners
2025-04-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
9:00 a.m. PDT / 12:00 p.m. EDT
The Guild welcomes Kaarsten Turner of North Fork Advisors LLC, and Tim McAbee of Desired Future Conditions LLC, to share their knowledge and insights into biochar production. The potential to secure carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits for the production of biochar has opened new opportunities for landowners. However, the logistics and other hurdles present barriers for landowners’ access to these new markets. This webinar will provide a brief overview of mid-scale biochar production, CDR credits, and regional context in the intermountain west and Southeast U.S.

Longleaf, Fire, and PBAs – it takes a village!
2025-04-24 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Register
April 24, 2025
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ET
Approved for one category 1 SAF CFE credit
Join us on April 24th for an insightful discussion hosted by the Guild, featuring Karen Brown from the Longleaf Alliance and Ryan Mitchell from Tall Timbers. Together, they will explore the crucial role of fire in sustaining healthy longleaf pine ecosystems and how Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) can be a powerful resource for getting fire back on the land. As PBAs continue to grow in popularity, they offer landowners incredible opportunities to learn, collaborate, and implement safe, effective fire management practices. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable knowledge on how to enhance your property while supporting the restoration of vital ecosystems.
Agenda:
10:00 – Welcome and introductions
10:05-10:25 – “Longleaf: The Pine that Fire Built” – Karen Brown, The Longleaf Alliance

Adaptations to fire throughout the longleaf pine life cycle and growth habit
Fire return intervals for longleaf habitats
Management needs addressed by fire in longleaf systems

10:25-10:30 – Questions
10:30-10:50 – How Prescribed Burn Associations can help you start or improve your prescribed burning on your property – Ryan Mitchell, Tall Timbers

This talk will identify barriers to prescribed burning indicated by landowners and how Prescribed Burn Associations can help overcome those barriers through training, coordination, and capacity building.

10:50-11 – Questions, open discussion, and closing remarks

Pacific Northwest Guild Gathering - a 30th anniversary celebration series event
2025-04-25 - 2025-04-26
Registration is full
You may register for one or both days on the same registration
Day 1: Friday, April 25
12:00 – 4:00 p.m. PT
Redwood Lodge, Arcata Community Forest
490 Redwood Park Rd, Arcata, CA 95521
Optional social 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. PT
Redwood Curtain Brewing Company
Day 2: Saturday, April 26
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Meet at: California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt – 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521
Carpool to: Van Eck Forest (tour map coming soon)
Promotional flyer and Event map
This PNW Guild Gathering is a collaborative event hosted by the Forest Stewards Guild, Pacific Forest Trust, and the City of Arcata, through the dedication of Guild members. This event is part of the Guild’s 30th Anniversary event series, celebrating decades of advancing sustainable forestry and community stewardship.
This two-day event will focus on working forests, climate-smart forestry practices, and conservation techniques, providing participants with an opportunity to explore innovative approaches to sustainable forest management and conservation in the core of the redwood region. Participants can register for one or both days, based on interest and availability.
Additionally, an optional social hour will be hosted at Redwood Curtain Brewing Company on Friday, April 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Whether or not you’re attending the field tours, you’re welcome to join us for an evening of networking and conversation with fellow forestry professionals. We look forward to seeing you there!

Who Should Attend: Forestry professionals, Guild members, students, and community members interested in sustainable forest management.
Continuing Education: Continuing Education Credits are pending for each day: Society of American Foresters and The Wildlife Society
Registration Information: Participants can register for one or both days, based on their interest and availability. This event is an excellent opportunity to engage with experts, gain insight into sustainable forestry practices, and connect with others passionate about sustainable forestry.
Attire: Comfortable hiking clothes, rain gear, and sturdy footwear are recommended.
Weather: Event will proceed rain or shine. Please bring appropriate gear.

Day 1: Arcata Community Forest – Ecological Community Forestry in Practice
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Event address: Redwood Lodge, Arcata Community Forest – 490 Redwood Park Rd, Arcata, CA 95521
Draft agenda
Registration fee:

Base Rate: $15
Member Rate: $12
Student Rate: $10

Description: Held on April 25, 2025, at the Arcata Community Forest, this half-day gathering features expert-led discussions, field tours, and interactive sessions on sustainable forest management, ecological restoration, and balancing publicly accessed community forests with active forestry. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into the Model Forest Program, examine timber harvest sites, and explore reserve areas, fostering meaningful conversations on forest stewardship, biodiversity, and community engagement. The event concludes with reflections and discussions, providing a platform for networking and knowledge exchange among industry leaders and environmental professionals.
Day 1 Meals & Refreshments: We will provide coffee and snacks at the beginning of the event. Please bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated as we explore the Arcata Community Forest.
Accessibility: We will be walking approximately 1 mile on gravel and dirt paths. Some stops may involve uneven terrain or steep terrain.
Day 2: Van Eck Forest Field Tour – Working Forest Conservation in Practice: Restoration Forestry and Climate Smart Practices
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Event meeting place: California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt – 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA 95521
Draft agenda
Cost of Attendance:

Base Rate: $45
Member Rate: $40
Student Rate: $35

Description: Held on April 26, 2025, this full-day field tour focuses on working forest conservation, restoration forestry, and climate-smart practices. Attendees will explore the Van Eck Forest through guided stops covering silvicultural practices for conservation and carbon goals, habitat restoration, and watercourse restoration projects. Highlights include discussions on Northern Spotted Owl conservation, redwood restoration, prescribed fire use, and salmonid habitat projects, led by expert foresters, ecologists, and researchers. The event provides a hands-on look at forest management strategies, encouraging dialogue on sustainability, ecological restoration, and community-driven forestry initiatives, concluding with a group reflection.
Meals & Refreshments: We will provide coffee and snacks in the morning. In the afternoon we will be providing lunch in the field. Beverages, including still and sparkling water, will be provided during lunch.
Accessibility: Some stops may involve uneven or steep terrain.
Travel: We will be carpooling from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt to the Van Eck Forest and back. Please be prepared to either host a carpool or ride with another participant. Carpools will be organized in advance, ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience.

NOTE: Policy on event cancellations:

If a registrant cancels their own registration prior to two weeks 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.
