2025 WSSAF Annual Meeting

125 Years of Forestry in Washington – Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

May 7-9, 2025 – Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, WA

The Washington State Society of American Foresters is thrilled to invite members to attend year’s annual meeting. The meeting’s theme, 125 Years of Forestry in Washington – Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future, invites us to celebrate over a century of forestry excellence, reflect on our rich history, and look forward to the future of our profession.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to honor the past and inspire the future of forestry in Washington. You will connect with fellow professionals, gain insights from forestry leaders, and look to the future of forestry in Washington. Mark your calendar for May 7-9, 2025, and join us for an event that promises to be both informative and inspiring.

SAF Member Early Bird* – $250.00
Non-SAF Member Early Bird* – $300.00
Student – $100.00
Awards Banquet, May 8th – $50
Field Tour, May 9th – $50

Click here to register

Meeting registration includes evening social on May 7th, breakfast, lunch, and breaks on May 8th.

*Early bird registration ends on March 31, 2025. Prices increase by $50. Registration will close on May 1, 2025.

We have secured a special group rate of $155 per night at the Heathman Lodge. Please note that additional site fees, sales tax, and occupancy taxes will be applied at checkout. These fees grant access to a range of amenities, including:

Parking
Pool, sauna, and workout room
Onsite laundry services
High-speed internet

The group rate is available until April 16, 2025. Reservations made after this date will be subject to availability and standard rates.

Extended Stays – If you’d like to extend your stay, please call the hotel directly and mention your affiliation with the Washington State Society of American Foresters (WSSAF) to secure the group rate.

Booking Options – Phone: Call 360-254-3100 and reference the Washington State Society of American Foresters (WSSAF) group to make your reservation. Online: Book your stay here

The WSSAF Executive Committee will have its meeting in the afternoon from 1:30-3:30.

Registration will open at 4 :00 p.m., followed by the evening social from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. that will feature delicious appetizers and a no-host bar. Join us for an evening of connection and conversation! This is a perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow professionals and expand your network in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

7:00-8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
8:00-8:15 – Welcome

Forestry in Washington – Looking Back
8:15-9:00 – 125 Years of Forestry in Washington: Overview – TBD
9:00-9:20 – Evolution of Forestry in WA: A History: The Pt. Blakely Story – Jason Dorn
9:20-9:40 – Evolution of Forestry in WA: A History: The WFPA Story – Cindy Mitchell

9:40-10:00 – Break

Forestry in Washinton – Status of the Forest
10:00-10:30 – Current Snapshot of Washington’s Forests – Andrew Gray, US Forest Service PNW Research Station, FIA

Forestry in Washington – Looking Forward
10:30-11:15 – Pivoting from the Past to the Future – Vicki Christiansen, Chief, USFS (Ret.), former Washington State Forester
11:15-11:45 – Professional Foresters: Who will manage the forests? – Terry Baker, CEO SAF

11:45-12:30 p.m. – Lunch
12:30-1:00 – Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Public Lands

Future of Forestry in Washington Panel
1:00-1:15 – Panel Intro – George Geissler, WDNR Washington State Forester, (moderator)
1:15-1:45 – New Options for Working Forests – Alicia Robbins, VP WEYCO
1:45-2:15 – Climate Change and Forest Management: TBD

2:15-235 – Break

Future of Forestry in Washington Panel (cont.)
2:35-3:05 – Future Directions in Forest Policy – TBD
3:05-3:35 – Innovation in Wood products: Scott Leavengood, Oregon State University, Wood Innovation Center
3:35-4:05 – Advancements in Forester Fieldcraft: TBD
4:05-4:30 – Future of Forestry in WA – Panel Wrap Up (w/ques) George Geissler

4:30-4:45 – Closing Remarks and Reflections

4:45-5:00 – Break

5:00-6:00 – Social

6:00-8:00 – Awards Dinner

On Friday, our annual field tour will take you into the Columbia River Gorge to the Wind River site, established by the U.S. Forest Service near Stabler, WA. This site within the historic Yacolt Burn has a rich history in the early development of forestry, featuring the Hemlock Ranger Station, a historic tree nursery, and significant research contributions from the Pacific Northwest Research Station—all situated within the stunning Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Notably, Gifford Pinchot himself played a pivotal role in founding both the Society of American Foresters in 1900 and the U.S. Forest Service in 1905. The Wind River Nursery was opened in 1909 by the Forest Service as a direct result of the Yacolt Burn and burns that occurred in Oregon in 1902. It was the first USFS tree nursery in the Pacific Northwest.

Field tour will leave and return to the Heathman Lodge. Parking is available at the Heathman Lodge.

7:00-8:00 a.m. – Breakfast

800-8:30 – Muster & Load vans, Heathman Lodge
8:30 – Depart for Wind River
8:30-9:15 – Travel

9:15-9:45 – “Westside” Fire – Josh Halofsky, DNR (Yacolt Burn & Columbia Fires 1902, Eagle Creek Fire 2017, Dam Access Rd)

9:45-10:15 – Travel
10:15-10:30 – Transition Break

10:30-12:00 p.m. – Walking tour of historic USFS Wind River Site – A Cradle of Forestry in Washington – Jeff DeBell, Wind River Trust, Vice President

12:00-12:30 – Lunch at The Hodgson-Lindberg Training Center (USFS) (box lunch provided)
12:30-1:00 – Lunch Speakers
Future Vision for transferred NF properties: Asa Leckie (Invited) – Skamania Co. Commissioner
DNR/USFS Seed Orchard Project – Genetic Reserves: Jeff DeBell, Washington DNR

1:00-2:30 – Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Erin Black, Trout Lake District Ranger

2:30-2:45 – Transition Break end of tour

2:45-4:00 – Travel to Heathman Lodge