Forest Guild 2014 National Meeting

The Forest Guild National Meeting is making a long-awaited return to New England in June of 2014. Join fellow members, colleagues, and future friends in this three-day gathering. Prepare for an exciting program of engaging speakers, stimulating field workshops, and lively discussions on the theme of adapting forests to the changing climate.

The three-day program will integrate field workshops, presentations, and a hands-on application of a climate change response framework. We strongly encourage you to participate in the entire program.

National Meeting Information Page

Full Conference Agenda

Register Now! 

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Thursday, June 19 — Field workshops

• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park – Woodstock, VT
• Mount Mansfield and Proctor Maple Research Center – Underhill Center, VT
• Atlas Timberlands – Northern VT
• Foresters for the Birds – Huntington, VT and Impacts to Habitat and Mammal Populations – Jericho, VT
• Managing Small Properties in the Face of Climate Change Impacts – Chittenden County, VT

Additional highlights include:

• Dinner on your own - explore downtown Burlington!
• Forest Guild Membership Meeting
• Movie screening of Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time

 Friday, June 20 — ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center - Burlington

Presentations and Discussions on Science and Management

• Keynote:  Dr. George Jacobson, Professor Emeritus, University of Maine
• Panel Session: Tools for adapting forests to the changing climate
• Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
  • Preparing for Climate Change: Forestry and Assisted Colonization
  • Changes in Natural Disturbance Regimes
  • Human Dimensions of Forestry in a Changing Climate
  • Habitat and Species Climate Vulnerability
  • Deer and Invasive Species
  • Incorporating New Approaches into Habitat Restoration and Watershed Management
  • Silvicultural Scenarios under a Changing Climate
  • Regional Sustainability and the Potential of New England's Forests

Additional highlights include:

• Forest Guild Introduction Circles
• Barbecue buffet dinner
• Honoring 30 Years of the Forest Trust, parent organization of the Forest Guild
• Evening conversation with Ross Morgan and John Elder

  Saturday, June 21 — Knowledge Synthesis – Shelburne Farms

• Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science’s Climate Change Response Framework field workshop
• Knowledge synthesis
• Harry Dwyer Memorial Softball Game

 REGISTRATION RATES

	Member	Non-member	Student/Spouse
Full meeting package	$325	375	$175
Thursday only	$125	$150	$50
Friday only	$150	$175	$100
Saturday only	$100	$125	$50
Friday dinner guest	$25

Full meeting package includes conference registration, Thursday lunch, all Friday meals, and Saturday breakfast and lunch. Day rate includes registration and meals for day indicated (Thursday dinner on your own).

Scholarships are available. Thanks to a generous donor, we are able to offer a limited number of scholarships to Vermont foresters. Please indicate your interest before registering.

Join the Guild and save on registration! Membership rates are $75 per year for professional members and $35 a year for affiliate members. Click here to join or contact our membership coordinator at reina@forestguild.org.

Students must be Forest Guild members to receive the student rate (click here to join for free!).

Cancellation policy: Refunds due to cancellations made on or before May 15 will be made with a $20 cancellation fee. Refunds due to cancellation cannot be made after May 15; however, a substitute may attend in the original registrant’s place provided that advance notice is received.

If you are with an agency that requires a purchase order, please fax it to 505-986-0798. Please list the names of the attendees, and we will send you an invoice.

LODGING OPTIONS

Our window to book lodging at the University of Vermont has closed but other lodging options are widely available in Burlington, Vermont. Some Guild members are staying at the Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn. there is a campground near downtown Burlington on Lake Champlain called North Beach Campground.

CARBON CREDITS

We are excited to offer attendees to the Forest Guild’s national meeting in Burlington the opportunity to neutralize travel-related carbon dioxide emissions by contributing to tree plantings in Vermont.  All contributions to Clear Water Carbon Fund from Forest Guild conference participants will be used to plant trees along the White River in Vermont.

The Clear Water Carbon Fund works with the White River Partnership to replant areas that were heavily damaged by Tropical Storm Irene.  The White River Partnership has over 10 years’ experience in planting trees to restore riparian forests.  Monitoring of past riparian plantings by the Partnership shows that survivability exceeds 80%.

Please consider investing in a home grown climate strategy that helps protect the clean water and fresh air that makes Vermont so special.  To learn more and make a donation, please visit: www.clearwatercarbonfund.org/forestguild.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

Continuing education credits for licensed foresters will be offered through the Society of American Foresters. If you are seeking continuing education credits for another field and need information, please contact amanda@forestguild.org.