We are pleased to announce the NYSAF 2024 Annual Meeting, to be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Syracuse, New York, January 31-February 2, 2024.

Register by December 28, 2023 to receive the Early-bird discount! 

The Meeting Agenda is available here as of January 23, 2028. All CFE credits have been approved.

Reserve your hotel room now! The low meeting rate of $116 plus taxes will expire when the room block is full or January 5th, whichever comes first. After that, rooms will only be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the DoubleTree Hotel directly at the numbers listed on the left and mention the New York SAF Meeting to reserve your room.

2024 Theme: The Future Harvest: Solutions Across Sectors.
Invited presentations and panel discussions will focus on a range of real concerns alongside creative solutions. From declining regional pulp markets and land conversion in the northeast, to alternative strategies in support of timber production and non-timber forest products. Challenges in every part of the industry demand a new set of forestry survival skills that will enable us to chart a path forward together, from developments in slash walls as deer exclosures around regenerating forest lands, to the enhanced use of woodlands through silvopasturing. Sessions will emphasize solutions and strategies through innovation, partnership, communication and opportunities for young and emerging professionals to nurture a commitment to forestry and natural resource management in the midst of rapid and significant change.  Each topic will be taken up in conversation in the spirit of collaboration and always in service to the ideal of maintaining and managing forests as forests over the long run.

 Wednesday Workshops: Earn extra CFE credits! Pre-meeting workshops on Wednesday afternoon. Below are the three different workshops being offered (Please Note: workshops run simultaneously so you may only register for one):

• WORKSHOP A: Forest Health in New York….Adapting to Rapid Changes (4.5 CFE Credits.  NYSDEC Pesticide Credits: Core: 1.25; Category 2: 2.75; Category 3a: 2.75; Category 9: 2.75. ). Moderated by Mark Keister. NYS DEC Pesticide Recertification Workshop. This workshop is not just about NYS DEC Pesticide Certification. Anyone involved with NY’s forests will gain insights regarding identification, current range, and latest research regarding some of the top forest health issues on the horizon. The agenda will focus on three of the newest forest health threats but participants and presenters are encouraged to bring others topics up for discussion. Topics include: NYS DEC Pesticides Regulatory Update; Hemlock Woolly Adelgid; Beech leaf disease; Herbicide application methods to control invasive and interfering vegetation.

• WORKSHOP B: NRCS Technical Service Provider Updates (4.0 CFE Credits) -- presented by Michael Fournier, USDA. Attendees will be provided a brief background of USDA-NRCS and how it delivers Federal Programs to private landowners and maintains Conservation Practice standards and related technical guidance. The primary focus of the presentation will be on how SAF Foresters can to become and maintain Technical Service Provider (TSP) certification. Deliverables, responsibilities, and opportunities of an NRCS Certified TSP will be outlined and compared to those required for the Forest Stewardship Program. Any 2024 updates to the NRCS TSP program will be shared. Time will be allotted to assist those attendees interested in becoming a TSP, as well as to trouble shoot issues encountered by current TSPs. The presentation itself will require an hour and a half, but questions and discussion can be expected to require up to an additional half hour. 
  
  
• WORKSHOP C: NY Forestry Issues & Opportunities (4.0 CFE Credits) -- presented by Jason Drobnack, NYS DEC Section Chief for the Department of Environmental Conservation's Private Lands, Utilization and Climate Forestry Section, This presentation will provide information and updates on: Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act - priorities for forests, the opportunities for forest owners, and how forest management fits into NYS climate goals; 480-a, Regenerate NY and NY Connects Grant – metrics of the program, successes and challenges, how can we get increased adoption, and how the $60 million NY Connects Grant will help forest owners; Federal Investments in Forest Stewardship – Inflation Reduction Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and historic investment in the Forest Stewardship Program. We will also review the Cooperating Forester Policy, CP-36. 

Wednesday Evening:  NYSAF Executive Committee Meeting from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Thursday-Friday Regular Meeting: The regular meeting will begin at 8:45 am on Thursday, February 1st with opening remarks and keynote address. General sessions, breakout (technical) sessions, and the annual Business Meeting will run through lunch on Friday February 2nd.

Thursday Evening Events: 
Poster Session and SUNY ESF Alumni Social. Any individual interested in presenting a poster at the annual meeting should contact Chris Nowak at canowak@esf.edu

Seeding the Ground: Mentoring for the Future & Foresters Under 40.
Cody Wilkes, Trevor Keough, and Mike Federice
A 45-minute interactive workshop will be divided into three segments to address topics including understanding job offers, challenges faced by young professionals and professional development. This will be followed by food and networking with your fellow Foresters Under 40.

NYSAF Trivia Night
Hosts: Jill Rahn, Cody Wilkes, & Trevor Keough
Students and professionals are invited to join. Teams of up to 4 can compete in NYSAF trivia night. Format will consist of 6 rounds, 5 questions per round, plus bonus questions. 

STUDENTS TAKE NOTE! We are working hard to provide an awesome student experience this year. Look for great opportunities to mingle with professionals and meet other students.

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS: Download a Sponsor or Exhibitor form for more information about options and registration fees.  If you are interested in sponsoring an event or exhibiting please contact Michael Federice.

 PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION: Be sure to attend the General Sessions and Awards Luncheon on Thursday January 27th to congratulate award winners. And, because it’s never too early to start thinking of deserving colleagues, feel free to review the Award Criteria and consider submitting a Nomination Form to Bruce Breitmeyer for next year's Awards.

Register Now! Register online by clicking above, or download a MAIL-IN REGISTRATION FORM.

Cancellations made prior to 1/17/24 will be entitled to a refund less $50 processing fees; no refunds for cancellations after that date.