Where
Duluth, Minnesota and surrounding field sites
Wednesday 7/13: Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (the DECC), 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, Minnesota
Thursday 7/14: Choice of four field trip locations: (1) Chippewa National Forest; (2) Aitkin County, Minnesota; (3) Pine County, Minnesota; (4) North Shore - Moose Habitat Collaborative.
Friday 7/15: Cloquet Forestry Center, 175 University Rd., Cloquet, Minnesota
Contact
Barb IrvinForest Stewards Guild
608-333-0551
barb@forestguild.org
Forest Stewards Guild 2016 National Meeting
In partnership with The Nature Conservancy Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan Chapters and the Minnesota Society of American Foresters
The Forest Stewards Guild 2016 National Meeting in Duluth, Minnesota and surrounding field sites is July 13-15, 2016. We’re joining forces with The Nature Conservancy and the Minnesota Society of American Foresters to explore Restoration, Conservation, and Collaboration in forested landscapes. Our setting is the scenic and historic Duluth, Minnesota, where we’ll be overlooking the head of Lake Superior and the largest freshwater port in the world. We invite you to join us for an event you won't want to miss!
Click here for a pdf of the meeting agenda.
Note 7/12: The field trips are now full. Chippewa is very full. If you would like to join a field trip at this time, you will need to drive yourself and provide your own lunch. Please contact barb@forestguild.org.Register Now! NOTE: If you have a credit card that rejects payments to PayPal, you may register and choose "Pay by Check" or "Pay at the Door". You can then pay on the Guild website.
Program Summary
Wednesday, July 13, we will spend the day overlooking the "Big Lake" at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. We will hear a full suite of presentations by speakers across the country on conservation and collaboration, tools for restoration and resilience, and watershed management. We will explore the ties between restoration goals and the challenges of adaptive management in a changing climate. Keynote speaker Curt Meine, author and renowned Aldo Leopold scholar, will share insights on restoration and the land ethic in our world today. The evening reception will provide time to socialize, visit with presenters and exhibitors, and honor some long-time Forest Stewards Guild members.
Thursday, July 14, a suite of concurrent field trips will allow meeting participants to dig deeper into opportunities for restoration in management. Participants will have to choose between the Chippewa National Forest, State and County lands in Aitkin County, St. Croix State Park restoration work in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and TNC's moose habitat restoration work north of Duluth.
Friday, July 15, our friends from the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science will help lead participants through a synthesis and field exercise day at the Cloquet Forestry Center.
Stick around, because back by popular demand, this year's meeting will feature an optional canoe trip. Saturday, July 16, our executive director and friends will lead a trip down Wisconsin's Bois Brule River.
Registration Rates
Registration includes Wednesday breakfast, lunch, and evening hors d'oeuvres and reception; Thursday breakfast and bag lunch; and Friday breakfast and lunch. Registration also includes transportation (if needed) between Duluth and the Thursday field trip sites, as well as to and from the Friday program at the nearby Cloquet Forestry Center. Optional: Thursday pizza cruise dinner on the historic and scenic Duluth Harbor and Lake Superior, $30 (register ASAP!); Saturday river trip including lunch and all equipment, $50. Please contact Mike Lynch (mike@forestguild.org) about any special dietary needs (e.g. vegan or gluten-free).
Join the Guild to save on registration! Click here for more information.
Students! Groups of four or more students from one school are eligible for a 50% discount off the student rate. Contact Barb Irvin (barb@forestguild.org) for more information. Students must be members to receive the student rate (free membership for students!).
Cancellation policy: Refunds due to cancellations made on or before June 17 will be made with a $20 cancellation fee. Refunds due to cancellation cannot be made after June 17; 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 email it to barb@forestguild.org. Please list the names of the attendees, and we will send you an invoice.
| Early (by June 17) | Late (after June 17) | |
| Member (FSG/SAF) - Full meeting package | $280 | $330 |
| Member (FSG/SAF) - Wednesday 7/13 only | $125 | $150 |
| Member (FSG/SAF) - Thursday 7/14 only | $100 | $125 |
| Member (FSG/SAF) - Friday 7/15 only | $75 | $100 |
| Non-Member - Full meeting package | $330 | $380 |
| Non-Member - Wednesday 7/13 only | $150 | $175 |
| Non-Member - Thursday 7/14 only | $125 | $150 |
| Non-Member - Friday 7/15 only | $100 | $125 |
| Student or Spouse - Full meeting package | $150 | $150 |
| Student or Spouse - Wednesday 7/13 only | $75 | $75 |
| Student or Spouse - Thursday 7/14 only | $50 | $50 |
| Student or Spouse - Friday 7/15 only | $50 | $50 |
Lodging Options
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Radisson Hotel-Duluth Harborview, 505 West Superior St., Duluth, MN (phone 218-727-8981). The weekday rate is $118/night; the weekend rate (Friday-Saturday) is $195/night. Reservations at the Radisson must be made by June 17 to receive the group rate. The Radisson is a 10-minute walk to the DECC, where the meeting is taking place on Wednesday 7/13, and a 15-minute walk to the popular Canal Park area on the harbor. Enter Promotional Code FORSTE to recieve the conference rates.
Limited dorm-style rooms are also available at the Cloquet Forestry Center, where we will be meeting on Friday 7/15. The Cloquet Forestry Center is located 30 minutes' drive west of Duluth; you will need to arrange your own transportation. Single rooms are $40/person/night; double occupancy is $60/night. To reserve a room, contact Steph Oberg at the Cloquet Forestry Center at 218-726-6400 or email oberg086@umn.edu AND notify Barb Irvin at the Forest Stewards Guild (608-333-0551 or barb@forestguild.org) to ensure that you are on our group guest list.
In addition, Duluth offers numerous hotels, motels, and campgrounds: http://www.visitduluth.com/lodging/
Transportation
This event is based in Duluth, Minnesota, a popular summer tourist destination. The Duluth International Airport is served by regional carriers with multiple flights each day from Minneapolis, Chicago, and other locations. Duluth is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul. For more information on travel to and around Duluth, please visit: http://www.visitduluth.com/maps/transportation-parking/.
Events Wednesday, July 13 will take place at the DECC, located within walking distance of the Radisson Hotel and numerous other lodging options.
Meeting participants are welcome to drive yourselves to your choice of the Thursday, July 14 field trips; however, field trip transportation will be available (included) departing from and returning to Duluth. Please indicate your need for transportation during registration. Most field trips are approximately two hours from downtown Duluth. It's worth the trip to see prime examples of silviculture and restoration.
Transportation will also be provided Friday from the Radisson in Duluth to and from the Cloquet Forestry Center. Again, please indicate if you will need a ride.
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.
Poster Session
Do you have a research poster you would like to share? Display space is available; contact Mike Lynch for more information; mike.lynch@forestguild.org. Students are especially encouraged to bring research posters.
Planning Your Visit
Here are some local resources to help you plan your visit to northeastern Minnesota.