Forest Stewards Guild

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.

Shaping Georgia’s Forests Future: Tax Policy, Landowner Decisions, and Conservation Impact
2025-04-28 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Register
April 28, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Approved for one category 1 SAF CFE credit
Join us for an engaging webinar that delves into the intersection of forest policy, taxation, and private land stewardship. The first presentation will provide a clear overview of forest-related taxes and incentives, highlighting how tax policy can support sustainable forest management and conservation among private landowners. The second presentation will share findings from a survey of family forest owners in Georgia’s Upper Flint River watershed, offering insights into landowners’ awareness of conservation programs and how these influence land use decisions. Together, these talks will explore the complex dynamics between policy tools, landowner behavior, and long-term forest conservation goals.
Agenda
2:00 – Welcome and introductions
2:05-2:25 – Dr. Yanshu Li, University of Georgia
Title: “An Overview of Timber Taxes”
Description: This presentation offers a concise yet informative exploration of the major types of forest-related taxes and the range of tax incentives and preferential tax provisions designed to support private forest landowners. It sheds light on how tax policy intersects with sustainable forest management, conservation goals, and long-term land stewardship. By outlining the financial frameworks that influence landowner decisions, the discussion emphasizes the critical role of taxation in shaping the economic landscape of private forestry in the United States.
2:25-2:30 – Questions
2:30-2:50 – Dr. Jesse Abrams, University of Georgia
Title: “How Georgia Family Forest Owners Uptake Conservation Policy & Program Knowledge”
In the talk, we will present results from a survey of family forest owners in the Upper Flint River watershed regarding their familiarity with and adoption of various conservation programs and policy tools. We will also discuss the relationship between participation in these policies and intentions to transfer or subdivide forestland. In the context of other research on similar topics, we will explore the tensions and tradeoffs regarding forest conservation policy effectiveness and landowner adoption.
2:50-3:00 – Questions, open discussion, and closing remarks

Exploring Fire & Old Forests in the Red Hills of Florida
2025-04-29 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Content is protected.

The Guild’s Business Plan (webinar)
2025-04-30 12:00 - 2025-05-01 19:00 (America/New_York)
Register (for one or both sessions…they will be the same presentation)
April 30, 2025 at Noon EDT
May 1, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. EDT
Guild members are invited to join a discussion about our new business plan. Ignited by the spark of shared passion, the Guild was founded in 1995 to both practice and promote forest stewardship. Our national network of members, staff, and partners have advanced the culture of forest stewardship based on ethical principles, best-available science, and diverse experience. Three decades of thought-meets-practice leadership from the Guild and partners has brought the concept of ecological forestry from the fringes to become the expected standard for management in much of the U.S., but there is much more work to do!
Zander Evans will share the strategic choices the Guild is making to expand our positive impact, increase our membership, and step up to our responsibility to keep forests healthy in the face of wildfire, droughts, invasive species, and other threats. We will host two opportunities with the hope the one option will work for members interested in the discussion.

Slow Wood: Ecological Forestry and Green Building in New England
2025-05-01 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Register (This is a hybrid event. You’ll have an option in the registration link to attend online via zoom or in-person.)
May 1, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET
Physical location:
George D. Aiken Center, Room 311
University of Vermont
81 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT 05403
Or online: zoom join link will be sent to you via email after registration
Event flyer for download
Join us for an inspiring hybrid event with Dr. Brian Donahue, Professor Emeritus of American Environmental Studies from Brandeis University, to explore his new book Slow Wood: Greener Building From Local Forests.
We’ll cover Donahue’s take on embracing sustainable living, building his own timber frame home from local wood, and creating a blueprint to live more responsibly.
Following the talk there will be time for questions and answers with the group.
This event is approved for 1.00 SAF Category 1 Continuing Forestry Education Credit.
If you have questions, please contact Rachel Swanwick, the Guild’s Northeast Program Manager at rswanwick@forestguild.org.

Forestry for the Birds: Western Oregon Workshop
2025-05-09 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Pileated Woodpecker
Register
Friday, May 9, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Bird Alliance of Oregon Wildlife Sanctuary
5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210
Join us at the Bird Alliance of Oregon Wildlife Sanctuary for the Forestry for the Birds: Western Oregon Workshop. This event will gather landowners, land managers, and bird enthusiasts to explore practical ways to enhance bird habitat in Oregon’s forests.
Joe Liebezeit, expert birder from Bird Alliance of Oregon, and Jake Barker, OSU Extension Forester, will guide discussions on bird-friendly forest management. We will walk through the Forestry for the Birds Western Oregon Guide (included with the $5 – $10 registration fee), applying its principles to the sanctuary’s landscape.
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

Understanding the focal bird species within the guide and their habitat needs

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

Applying bird-friendly forestry practices to both rural and urban forests

No prior experience in birding or forestry is needed. Bring your curiosity, a willingness to share, and binoculars if you have them.
Coffee and pastries will be provided for early arrivals. We look forward to seeing you in May.
Agenda:
8:30 – Early birds get coffee & pastries
9:00 – Welcome & Introductions
9:45 – What is Forestry for the Birds?
10:00 – Forest tour applying the Guide
12:30 – End Workshop
This event is approved for 3 Continuing Education Credits from the Society for American Foresters. Wildlife Society CEUs are pending.

Maintaining Ash in Your Woods: Strategies for Responding to Emerald Ash Borer - Field Tour
2025-05-28 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Sign up and get your free tickets here!
Date: Thursday, May 28
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST
Location: VLT’s King Farm Property, King Farm Road, Woodstock, VT
Organizer: Kate Forrer, (802) 214-4848, director@vermontwoodlands.org
Emerald ash borer (EAB) continues to spread across Vermont, raising important questions for woodland owners: What should I do with my ash trees? Join us for an informative woods walk with Vermont Land Trust foresters to see various strategies they are using to manage for ash into the future. Whether you’re actively managing your land or simply curious about EAB’s long-term impact, this walk offers a chance to learn practical options and connect with fellow landowners, This walk is hosted by Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Woodlands Association, and Forest Stewards Guild.

Maintaining Ash in Your Woods: Strategies for Responding to Emerald Ash Borer - Field Tour 2
2025-06-04 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Sign up and get your free tickets here!
Date: Wednesday, June 4
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST
Location: VLT’s Jerusalem Skyline property, Starksboro, VT
Organizer: Kate Forrer, (802) 214-4848, director@vermontwoodlands.org
Emerald ash borer (EAB) continues to spread across Vermont, raising important questions for woodland owners: What should I do with my ash trees? Join us for an informative woods walk with Vermont Land Trust foresters to see various strategies they are using to manage for ash into the future. Whether you’re actively managing your land or simply curious about EAB’s long-term impact, this walk offers a chance to learn practical options and connect with fellow landowners, This walk is hosted by Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Woodlands Association, and Forest Stewards Guild.

4th Annual Bird ID, Ecology & Habitat Management Workshop at Stone Fence Farm
2025-06-08 05:30 - 10:45 (America/New_York)
Register
June 8, 2025
5:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Stone Fence Farm
64 Johnson Mountain Road
Unity, New Hampshire
Optional camping onsite and pizza dinner on Saturday evening. For more information or to reserve a camping space, contact Laura (lfrench@meadowsendco.com) by May 31.
Beginning birders welcome! Join Phil Brown, Matt Tarr, and others for a morning of birding and learning at Stone Fence Farm, a property owned and managed for a diversity of native species by professional foresters Jeremy Turner and Laura French. Through easygoing, moderate walking tours in a variety of habitats, we’ll learn tips for identifying the birds we encounter by sight and sound; the ecology and habitat needs of those species; and how the forests, fields, and wetlands we see can be managed to enhance habitat for birds and other wildlife. Bring binoculars and your favorite field guide to birds, and come prepared for biting insects.
Continuing education credits for foresters will be available.

Forestry for Minnesota Birds
2025-06-18 09:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Registration is closed
June 18, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT
Cloquet Forestry Center, 175 University Rd, Cloquet, MN 55720
Join us at the Cloquet Forestry Center (CFC) to learn about the recently published Forestry for Minnesota Birds Conservation Guidebook and how to use it. The guidebook is the culmination of several years of work by multiple partners to refine forest management approaches to enhance forest bird habitat in Minnesota.
This will be an exciting kickoff of the next phase of the program now that printed guidebooks are in hand. All attendees will get a free copy of the new book! The digital version is available here: https://foreststewardsguild.org/forestry-for-the-birds/
Agenda:

Start at 9:30
Initial talk about Forestry for MN Birds at CFC
Visit Otter Creek pine site at CFC
Lunch
Group field tour: 2 field sites on Carlton Co land
Disburse around 4:00 p.m.

Transportation:
We will carpool together to field sites.
Food:
Cookies in the morning and a catered lunch will be provided.
Please bring:

A water bottle
Dress for the weather
Clothes or repellent, if desired, for ticks and mosquitoes

Continuing education credits from SAF and the Wildlife Society are pending approval.
