We are pleased to announce the NYSAF 2016 Annual Meeting, to be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Syracuse, New York, January 27-29, 2016.

The Tentative Meeting Agenda (updated 1/25/2016) is available; check back for updates.

Continuing Education Credits have been approved. Attendees can receive up to 14 CFE credits for participation – 8 credits for the two day meeting and up to 6 additional credits for the workshops! See below for descriptions.

Reserve your hotel room now! The low meeting rate of $100 plus taxes will expire when the room block is full or January 4, whichever comes first. After that, rooms will only be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the DoubleTree Hotel directly at the numbers listed on the left and mention the New York SAF Meeting to reserve your room.

2016 Theme: Integrated Resource Management.
This theme was developed from a variety of suggestions offered by NYSAF members over the last few months of meeting planning, and reflects the diversity in demands on our region's forests today. Things to be aware of:

Wednesday Workshops: Earn extra CFE credits! Pre-meeting workshops on Wednesday afternoon. From 1:00 pm-5:00 pm we will offer:

• Practical Ethics Workshop (3.5 Cat 1 CFE Credits). -- presented by Marianne Patinelli-Dubay. This workshop will introduce a variety of approaches to ethical problem solving. We will learn about six of the primary methods that we employ every day when faced with ethically weighted situations. 
• Early Detection of Invasive Species and Its benefits for Successful Response Workshop (3.5 Cat 1 CFE Credits) (Pesticide Credits 3.75 hours) -- presented by Carrie Brown-Lima, and Rachel McCarthy. Will include a broad presentation focusing on current trends in invasive species and the invasion curve; early detection of pests and pathogens, techniques, and resources for identification; and responses to pests and provide comparison between responses when early detection is present or absent.

Workshop/Discussion: 3:00 pm-5:00 pm. New York Forest Tax Law 480-a Discussion -- presented byJulie Tighe and Danielle Schittino, NYSDEC Legislative Affairs Office. Several NYSAF Members have reached out to the NYSAF Executive Committee to request a change in the Winter Meeting’s agenda for request additional time to discuss and comment on the proposed 480-a legislation.   

Wednesday Evening:  NYSAF Executive Committee Meeting from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm.

Thursday-Friday Regular Meeting: The regular meeting will begin at 9:00 am on Thursday, January 28th with opening remarks and keynote address. General sessions, breakout (technical) sessions, and the annual Business Meeting will run through lunch on Friday January 29th.

Thursday evening events: Poster Session and Alumni Socials.

Friday Afternoon Workshops: There will be two post-meeting workshops taking place from 1:45-4:30 pm: 

• Rehabilitating Disturbed Forest Stands (2.5 Cat 1 CFE Credits) -- presented by Ralph Nyland. Human and natural disturbance alter the character and structure of forest stands in ways that may conflict with ownership objectives. The workshop will consider ways to rehabilitate these stands to restore productivity and ecological integrity.
• Water Quality and Timber Harvest (2.5 Cat 1 CFE Credits) -- topics to include Portable Skidder Bridges, presented by Jim Campopiano, Greater ADK RC&D, Xylem Enterprises; and Stream Corssing Permits, presented by Marc Migliore, Regional Permits Administrator, NYSDEC.

STUDENTS TAKE NOTE! We are working hard to provide an awesome student experience this year. Look for great opportunities to mingle with professionals and meet other students.

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS: Download a Sponsor-Exhibitor Information Packet for more information about options and registration fees.  If you are interested in sponsoring an event or exhibiting please contact Len Cronin.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION: Be sure to attend the Awards Luncheon on Thursday January 28 to congratulate the 2015 award winners. And, because it’s never too early to start thinking of deserving colleagues, feel free to review the Award Criteria and consider submitting a Nomination Form to Brian Bower for next year's 2016 Awards.

Register Now! Register online by clicking above, or download a MAIL-IN REGISTRATION FORM.

Cancellations made prior to 1/15/16 will be entitled to a refund less $50 processing fees; no refunds for cancellations after that date.