Package Information

Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) is among the short list of free open-source growth and modeling tools. This basic training is facilitated live and serves to reacquaint or introduce FVS as a tool to support you in your forestry and related projects for diverse landownership dynamics. With FVS you can take advantage of data-informed ecosystem-based variants.

Myth buster: FVS, while developed and managed by the USDA Forest Service, is applicable to landscapes beyond federally-managed lands.

This package contains days 1 and 2 of the virtual workshops. Please click the links below if you would like to register for any of the other options:

Select an FVS training package that aligns best with your professional development and project needs. Everyone has access to working with single and multi-stand runs (Day 1) and basic management thinning (Day 2). Choose to dive deeper with more utilizing the FVS fire and fuels features (Day 3), modeling more complex management scenarios including regeneration (Day 4), or all 4 days. Each day offers a skills challenge to help put your learning into practice.

Days 1-4

Days 1, 2, and 3

Days 1, 2, and 4

During skills challenges, either use the provided data sets or consider using your own data. To use your own data, ensure it is in FVS-ready format, create a new project, and load your data as part of the pre-work. Here’s a video on input data format.

Audience

Forestry and natural resources professionals interested in a free open-source modeling tool to inform forestry practices and management plans. This is intended for FVS beginners or those who wish to be re-acquainted with the accessible tool.

Registration and Cost

Member: $175

Non-member: $220

Join SAF today to save $45 on your course registration and to take advantage of SAF's growing member benefits including those here on ForestEd. 

Register for all four days for only $65-$85 more.

Registration closes at 12 PM ET on Friday, October 30, 2026. // Registration capped at 30 participants total between all four packages.

Virtual Workshop Dates (all dates included scheduled breaks)

Day 1 - Getting Started with Basic FVS Runs - November 3, 1-5:15 PM ET - 3.5 Category 1 CFEs

Day 2 - Modeling Basic Management with Thinnings - November 4, 1-6:30 PM ET - 4.0 Category 1 CFEs

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of these two days of this virtual workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Implement runs modeling harvests according to different specifications:
   1. Diameter-specific Thinning
   2. Thin from Below
   3. Thinning to Desired Canopy Cover
2. Explain the outputs resulting from each run.
3. Compare the results of different thinning treatments.

Virtual Workshop Evaluation

Participant feedback is appreciated to help the virtual workshop host and subject matter experts continually improve the virtual workshop for future participants. Live training evaluation must be completed to receive CFEs.

CFEs

Upon successful completion of each virtual workshop, you will earn 4 CFEs in Category 1. CFEs will automatically be added to your CFE record located on www.eforester.org.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of this virtual workshop and virtual workshop evaluation, participants may download and print a certificate verifying completion of the virtual workshop and earning CFEs. CFEs will be uploaded to participant CFE records by the end of the day (11:59 pm ET).

Get Started or Return to Place in Virtual Workshop

Once you are registered for the package, access each day within your MY DASHBOARD. 

Need Help?

For ForestEd questions, visit FAQs or email [email protected]. For questions about this virtual workshop’s content email . For technical assistance, go to help.commpartners.com for self troubleshooting and/or live chat, or you can email [email protected].

Refund

This is a non-refundable item. Please view FAQs for additional information.