Concurrent Sessions

Note: While the program is complete, there may be additions, deletions, or reorganization to these concurrent sessions.

Featured Concurrent Sessions
The SAF National Convention Program Committee has developed special sessions to be held during the normal concurrent session times, which will build on the general session topics and address emerging challenges faced by foresters.

Wednesday, October 24

Place-based Education Breakout Session (with Richard Louv)
This session features keynote speaker Richard Louv along with experts in forestry/environmental education who will explore solutions to Louv's Nature Deficit Disorder.

• Richard Louv, keynote speaker and author of "Last Child in the Woods"
• Jim Stark, Sustainability Manager, Weyerhaeuser Company
• Susan Sahnow, Director, Oregon Forestry Education Program, Oregon State University
• Rick Zenn, Education Director, World Forestry Center
• Norie Dimeo-Ediger, K-12 Program Manager, Oregon Forest Resources Institute
• Lynn Ferguson, Co-Director of Environmental Education, Washington Forest Protection Association

Higher Education— Education for Future Foresters
This session explores how forestry education is responding to our rapidly changing profession. The panel features the deans of two major Pacific Northwest forestry schools, and an instructor and a student from one of the region's strongest technical forestry programs.

• Jenny Wren, Student, Green River Community College
• Hal Salwasser, Dean, College of Forestry, Oregon State University
• Bruce Bare, Dean, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington
• Dick Hopkins, Natural Resources Instructor, Green River Community College

Media Relations for Natural Resource Professionals
In this session attendees will learn how to work with the news media in order to get forestry-related messages to the public effectively. Session includes building relationships with media representatives, the basics of newspaper and television, how to do an on-camera interview, and pitching a story.

• Dan Postrel, Director of Agency Affairs, Oregon Department of Forestry
• Dave Kvamme, Director of Communications, Oregon Forest Resources Institute

Thursday, October 25

The Changing Roles of Private Forestry
This session explores how specific employment sectors including forest product companies, TIMOs, and REITs, along with intergenerational issues of nonindustrial private landowners, shapes the new role of private forestry.

• Gene Hundley, MeadWestvaco
• Mike Clutter, University of Georgia
• Clint Bentz, Boldt, Carlisle & Smith, LLC

Forests on the Edge - Housing Development on America's Private Forests
This session explores the contributions of America's private forests to timber, wildlife, and water resources and the pressures exerted on these resources.

• Susan Stein, Private Forest-land Studies Coordinator, USDA Forest Service
• Ralph J. Alig, Research Forester, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
• Jeffrey D. Kline, Research Forester, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

Towards a National Forest Sustainability Policy
What if there was a U.S. National Sustainable Forests Policy Act with a goal of securing sustainable forests for present and future generations? This session highlights the efforts by the National Association of State Foresters and SAF to promote sustainable forests at the national level. Please review the Rationale for a National Policy for Sustainable Forests and the Draft Sustainable Forests Act.

• Marvin Brown, State Forester, Oregon State Forester

Friday, October 26

Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity: New Findings and Recommended Practices
In this session the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry presents five-year results from sustainable forestry and biodiversity research, including the role of managed forests, globalization impacts, climate and future ranges of variability, strategies for invasives, and old-growth issues.

• Chris Bernabo, Director, Center for Science Solutions, National Council for Science and the Environment
• Ann Bartuska, Deputy Chief, Research and Development, USDA Forest Service
• Joyce Berry, Commission Chair and Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, Colorado State University
• John Gordon, Pinchot Professor of Forestry Emeritus, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
• Hal Salwasser, Dean, College of Forestry, Oregon State University
• Scott Wallinger, Retired Senior Vice President, Mead Westvaco, Forest Science Laboratory

Case Studies in Pacific Northwest Sustainability
This session highlights three case histories, which illustrate the three pillars of sustainability and the evolution of the sustainable Northwest concept from start up to today's evolution in the forest, the community, and the market place.

The first case study explores a California family and community impacted by the NW Forest Plan decisions. The second examines biomass energy production in Oregon. The third studies the certified wood enterprises in Oregon and Washington States and links the need for healthy forests, forest certification to urban communities and sustainable markets.

• Martin Goebel, President, Sustainable Northwest

Conservation Strategies
This session explores how the conservation of our valued farms, forests, and rural lands are intrinsically linked to making our cities fantastic places to live. The session covers the vision of the Cascade Agenda, the Ecotrust's Natural Capital Fund as a catalyst for investments, and the tribal economy of the Warm Springs Reservation.

• Michelle Connor, Vice President, The Cascade Agenda
• Bettina von Hagen, Vice President, Forestry & Natural Capital Fund, Ecotrust
• Bobby Brunoe, Director of Natural Resources, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Communication Skills for Finding Work in Forestry
The first session teaches skills for applying and interviewing for jobs in forestry, including how to prepare résumés, how to structure cover letters, and avoiding the most common mistakes when preparing résumés. The second session introduces strategies for finding jobs and negotiating salaries, including how to use job-hunting resources and what to negotiate in a job offer.

• Brooks Mendell, Principal, Forisk Consulting
  

The Certified Forester® program is a proud sponsor of this workshop.