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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250919T173000
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UID:69679-1758303000-1758313800@www.foundationforsustainableforests.org
SUMMARY:Annual Dinner
DESCRIPTION:Gather around the table with FSF friends for an evening of food and fun! We welcome author and forester Ethan Tapper for a keynote presentation on his book How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. In addition to Ethan’s engaging presentation\, the evening will feature a Chance Auction with great prizes! \n\n\n\nThis year’s dinner will be held at the historic Titusville Mill in Titusville\, PA. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis event has passed. \n\n\n\nThank you for your interest! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets are $45 per person and include a buffet dinner\, dessert\, the keynote presentation\, and entries in the Chance Auction. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKeynote Presentation by Ethan Tapper\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat does it mean to love a forest? In this talk\, Ethan Tapper\, a forester\, author and content creator from Vermont\, will draw from his work as a forester and his bestselling book — How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World — to discuss what it means to care for forests and other ecosystems at this moment in time. How do we respond to the harmful legacies of the past? How do we use our species’ incredible power to heal rather than to harm? How do we reach towards a better future? In a time in which many believe that “protecting” ecosystems means protecting them from ourselves\, Ethan argues that humans must take action to help ecosystems heal and to move into a more abundant future. Ethan’s message is at once compassionate and pragmatic\, clear-eyed and hopeful\, sobering and inspiring\, a powerful new idea for how we can build a world that works for all of its ecosystems and all of its people. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEthan Tapper is a Vermont-based forester\, digital creator\, and the bestselling author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. For more than a decade\, Ethan has been recognized as a thought-leader and a disruptor in the worlds of forestry\, conservation\, and ecosystem stewardship\, winning multiple regional and national awards for his work. His message of relationship\, responsibility and hope reaches millions of people each year through his writing\, his social media channels with tens of thousands of followers\, and the dozens of walks\, talks and keynotes that he delivers across North America each year. \n\n\n\nIn his personal life\, Ethan works\, writes\, hunts\, birds at Bear Island\, his 175-acre working forest\, homestead\, orchard and sugarbush\, runs three small businesses – Bear Island Forestry\, Bear Island Consulting and Bear Island Maple – and plays in his 10-piece punk band\, The Bubs. See www.ethantapper.com for more information.
URL:https://www.foundationforsustainableforests.org/event/2025-annual-dinner/
LOCATION:The Titusville Mill\, 221 S Monroe St\, Titusville\, PA\, 16354
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foundationforsustainableforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_1185_e-scaled.jpg
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UID:70001-1758355200-1758382200@www.foundationforsustainableforests.org
SUMMARY:Loving the Land Through Working Forests Conference
DESCRIPTION:September 20\, 2025 \n\n\n\n8am – 4pm\, McLaughlin Run Forest\, near Titusville\, PA \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis field conference is all about forests – threats\, management practices\, and ways that we can enhance their resilience and overall health. The day will be full of field-based presentations and walks on critical and emerging topics related to forest stewardship and conservation. Pre-registration is required and all are welcome! See below for the conference program\, with new information added regularly as speakers are confirmed. \n\n\n\nAttention Foresters: This conference has been approved by the Society of American Foresters for five hours of Category One CFE credits. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis event has passed. \n\n\n\nThank you for your interest! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n$15 – Members of FSF or NWPWA \n\n\n\n$35 – Non-Members \n\n\n\nFree for children under 8 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDriving Directions: \n\n\n\nMcLaughlin Run Forest is located eight miles north of Titusville\, PA\, just east of State Route 8 on Gilson Ridge Road. Event signs will assist in guiding you to the property from Route 8. \n\n\n\nDirections from the South: From Titusville\, PA\, follow State Route 8 North for 6.8 miles\, turn right onto Mageetown Road and travel 0.9 miles\, continue straight onto Gilson Ridge Road / T890 and travel 0.6 miles to arrive at Mclaughlin Run Forest. \n\n\n\nDirections from the North: From Centerville\, PA\, follow State Route 8 South for 2.4 miles\, turn left onto Mageetown Road and travel 0.9 miles\, continue straight onto Gilson Ridge Road / T890 and travel 0.6 miles to arrive at Mclaughlin Run Forest. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSchedule of Events – Schedule in Progress \n\n\n\n8:00 AM – Registration Begins \n\n\n\n8:45 AM – Welcome Remarks and Introductions \n\n\n\n9:00 AM – Opening Address – Ethan Tapper\, forester & author of How to Love a Forest: The bittersweet work of tending a changing world \n\n\n\n9:30 AM – Morning Breakout Session 1 \n\n\n\n\n			\n			DOUBLE SESSION: Woods Walk – Land Use History & Management at McLaughlin Run (Troy Firth) \n			\n		\n			\n\nThe 160-acre McLaughlin Run Forest was the first wooded property FSF Co-Founder and President Troy Firth ever purchased. More than 50 years later\, this forest is a combination of a favorable land use history and the result of Troy’s careful management. It serves as an example of the long term benefits of “worst first” forestry. Join Troy for a walk to learn about the property’s history and see firsthand the various sustainable forestry practices that have been used to encourage ecosystem health and resilience. \n\n\n\nPlease note: This woods walk is a “double session” that will fill both morning breakout session time periods. If you would like to start with this woods walk\, but attend a different session during the second morning time slot\, and FSF representative will be available to guide you back to the main conference area ahead of morning session two. \n\n\n		\n\n\n			\n			Horse Logging Demonstration: The Role of Horses in Sustainable Forestry (Pat Maloney\, Lester Byler\, & David Byler) \n			\n		\n			\n\nThe careful felling of trees and the use of horses to skid logs out of the woods are cornerstones of FSF’s sustainable forestry approach. Join Pat\, one of FSF’s Directors and former horse logger\, and the draft horse teams of Lester Byler and David Byler for a demonstration and discussion of this process and the nuances that help to minimize residual damage to the forest during a harvest. \n\n\n		\n\n\n			\n			Stream Survey of McLaughlin Run & Ways to Protect Stream Health During a Harvest (Watershed Conservation Research Center) \n			\n		\n			\n\nMcLaughlin Run\, which winds through this forest\, provides a unique opportunity to examine the effects of forest management decisions on stream health. The southern half of the property\, which has been owned by Troy Firth since 1972\, retains helmocks along the creek\, while the northern half of the property\, acquired by Troy in 2012\, had its hemlocks removed under prior ownership. Join the Watershed Conservation Research Center in surveying McLaughlin Run in these two stretches\, comparing the results\, and discussing practices to protect stream health during and after a harvest. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n10:45 AM – Break \n\n\n\n11:00 AM – Morning Breakout Session 2 \n\n\n\n\n			\n			Legacy & Estate Planning for Woodland Owners (Thomas Hoffman\, II\, Esq.) \n			\n		\n			\n\nThis session is an introduction to estate planning and the need for woodland owners to plan for the future of their land and resources. Includes a Federal and Pennsylvania inheritance tax primer\, discussion of using limited partnerships and limited liability companies\, and discussion of multi-generational and lifetime forest land planning using trusts. \n\n\n		\n\n\n			\n			Continued from Session 1: Woods Walk – Land Use History & Management at McLaughlin Run (Troy Firth) \n			\n		\n			\n		\n\n\n			\n			Horse Logging Demonstration: The Role of Horses in Sustainable Forestry (Pat Maloney\, Lester Byler\, & David Byler) \n			\n		\n			\n\nThe careful felling of trees and the use of horses to skid logs out of the woods are cornerstones of FSF’s sustainable forestry approach. Join Pat\, one of FSF’s Directors and former horse logger\, and the draft horse teams of Lester Byler and David Byler for a demonstration and discussion of this process and the nuances that help to minimize residual damage to the forest during a harvest. \n\n\n		\n\n\n			\n			Stream Survey of McLaughlin Run & Ways to Protect Stream Health During a Harvest (Watershed Conservation Research Center) \n			\n		\n			\n\nMcLaughlin Run\, which winds through this forest\, provides a unique opportunity to examine the effects of forest management decisions on stream health. The southern half of the property\, which has been owned by Troy Firth since 1972\, retains helmocks along the creek\, while the northern half of the property\, acquired by Troy in 2012\, had its hemlocks removed under prior ownership. Join the Watershed Conservation Research Center in surveying McLaughlin Run in these two stretches\, comparing the results\, and discussing practices to protect stream health during and after a harvest. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n12:15 PM – Lunch (Provided) \n\n\n\n1:15 PM – Plenary Presentation – Lance Irving\, Sand County Foundation Vice President\, Leopold Conservation Award \n\n\n\n2:00 PM – Afternoon Breakout Session \n\n\n\n\n			\n			Woods Walk – Forest Resilience: What and How? (Susan Stout\, Ph.D.) \n			\n		\n			\n\nThis woods walk will focus on the qualities that make forests resilient\, as well as qualities that make it more vulnerable. We’ll talk about changes our forests face and how active forest management can help sustain or increase your forest’s resilience\, and offer resources to assess your woods while looking at examples in the McLaughlin Run Forest. \n\n\n		\n\n\n			\n			Legacy and Estate Planning for Woodland Owners (Thomas Hoffman\, II\, Esq.) \n			\n		\n			\n\nThis session is an introduction to estate planning and the need for woodland owners to plan for the future of their land and resources. Includes a Federal and Pennsylvania inheritance tax primer\, discussion of using limited partnerships and limited liability companies\, and discussion of multi-generational and lifetime forest land planning using trusts. \n\n\n		\n\n\n			\n			Aldo Leopold’s Enduring Land Ethic (Lance Irving) \n			\n		\n			\n\nAldo Leopold was one of conservation’s most notable thought leaders. His works have inspired countless readers to create and shape their own land ethics. Learn some of the history of Aldo Leopold and how the Sand County Foundation is recognizing forest and farm owners for their good work through the Leopold Conservation Award in 28 states. Lance Irving\, Sand County Foundation Vice President\, will share stories from some of the Award’s recipients and discuss how we can all learn best practices and teachable moments from each other. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n3:15 PM – Conference Evaluations & Departure \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the Presenters\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			David and Lester Byler\n			\n		\n			\n\nBrothers David and Lester Byler have worked in FSF forests since 2019. Using teams of Belgian draft horses and careful directional felling\, they minimize disturbance to soil and surrounding vegetation during FSF’s harvests. David and Lester ask that you please do not include them in pictures\, though you are welcome to photograph their horses. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			Troy Firth\n			\n		\n			\n\nTroy Firth is the Founder and President of the Foundation for Sustainable Forests\, with over 45 years of experience practicing sustainable forestry and production of maple syrup. Troy is the recipient of the Sand County Foundation’s 2024 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award\, 2019 WeConservePA (formerly Pennsylvania Land Trust Association) Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award\, and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Western Pennsylvania Environmental Award. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			Thomas C. Hoffman\, II\, Esq.\n			\n		\n			\n\nThomas C. Hoffman\, II is a shareholder attorney at Knox Law in Erie\, PA. He concentrates his practice on closely held business planning\, business succession planning\, implementation of sophisticated estate and trust planning\, administration of complex estates and trusts\, and the tax consequences of these matters. Tom enjoys the outdoors\, and is a board member of the Foundation for Sustainable Forests. He is also a Council of Fellows Member for Penn State Behrend\, Board Member for both Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT) and the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania\, and serves on the Board of Governors for the Hagen History Center. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			Lance Irving\n			\n		\n			\n\nLance Irving took the helm of Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award Program in 2016 after more than 15 years of experience in the outdoor sporting goods industry\, and prior to that as a professional wilderness hunting and fishing guide. As chief sales and marketing officer at two outdoor manufacturing companies\, Irving became a recognized leader in the outdoor industry. Since joining Sand County Foundation\, Irving has helped grow the Leopold Conservation Award program from 8 participating states to 28. The expansion of the program both geographically and in prominence has helped to promote a land ethic to both the agricultural community and general public. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			Pat Maloney\n			\n		\n			\n\nPat Maloney is a skilled woodsman and practitioner of sustainable forestry. For some years\, he cut trees alongside horse-logger Ray Blystone on FSF-owned properties\, and is a maple syrup producer and forest manager at Firth Maple Products. Pat holds a B.S. in Natural Resources from Northland College. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			Susan Stout\, Ph.D.\n			\n		\n			\n\nFrom 1981 through early 2018\, Dr. Susan L. Stout was a research forester with the United States Forest Service Research Project located in Irvine\, PA.  In 1991\, she was named Project Leader there and for researchers in OH\, VT\, NH and on two experimental forests. From 2018 through 2024\, she served as a Research Forester Emerita. Since 2014\, she has served on the Council of the Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State. She is passionate about finding ways to transfer research results to potential users so that both research and practice are improved and including natural resource practitioners and landowners throughout the research process.  Her research interests include natural regeneration\, relative density\, and the interactions of deer\, people\, and forests.  She has also been active on issues related to full inclusion of women and people of all ethnicities in forestry.  As a grandmother\, she delights in watching her grandson play and grow\, especially in the natural world. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			Ethan Tapper\n			\n		\n			\n\nEthan Tapper is a Vermont-based forester\, digital creator\, and the bestselling author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. For more than a decade\, Ethan has been recognized as a thought-leader and a disruptor in the worlds of forestry\, conservation\, and ecosystem stewardship\, winning multiple regional and national awards for his work. His message of relationship\, responsibility and hope reaches millions of people each year through his writing\, his social media channels with tens of thousands of followers\, and the dozens of walks\, talks and keynotes that he delivers across North America each year. \n\n\n\nIn his personal life\, Ethan works\, writes\, hunts\, birds at Bear Island\, his 175-acre working forest\, homestead\, orchard and sugarbush\, runs three small businesses – Bear Island Forestry\, Bear Island Consulting and Bear Island Maple – and plays in his 10-piece punk band\, The Bubs. See www.ethantapper.com for more information. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n			\n			Watershed Conservation Research Center\n			\n		\n			\n\nLocated on the campus of Allegheny College\, the Watershed Conservation Research Center engages in strategic conservation activities and trains future watershed stewards to protect\, restore\, and enhance our land and water resources for future generations in the upper Allegheny River basin\, focusing on the French Creek Watershed. \n\n\n		\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThank you to our Sponsors\n\n\n\nGOLD\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSILVER\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBRONZE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInterested in sponsoring the Loving the Land Through Working Forests conference? Contact Bennett Gould at bgould@forestsandpeople.org for details.
URL:https://www.foundationforsustainableforests.org/event/loving-the-land/
LOCATION:McLaughlin Run Forest\, near Titusville\, PA\, 41.70375\, -79.72032
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.foundationforsustainableforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/D50A1933aa.jpg
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