Forest Vegetation Simulator Virtual Workshop (Days 1, 2, and 4)

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, 2, and 4 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 and 2 only

Days 1, 2, and 3

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: $210

Non-member: $265

Join SAF today to save $55 on your course registration and to take advantage of SAF's growing member benefits including those here on ForestEd.

Register for all 4 days for only $30-$40 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

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

Day 4 - Modeling Regeneration and Complex Management Scenarios - November 6, 1-5:30 PM ET - 3.5 Category 1 CFEs

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of these three 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
    4. Thin to Variable Density
  2. Explain the outputs resulting from each run.
  3. Compare the results of different thinning treatments.
  4. Implement runs modeling regeneration for single tree and group selection harvesting systems.

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 session, you will earn its respective CFEs in Category 1. CFEs will automatically be added to your CFE record located on www.eforester.org.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of each virtual workshop session 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.

  • Virtual FVS Training - Day 1: Getting Started with Basic FVS Runs
    Contains 7 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/03/2026 at 1:00 PM (EST)

    Day 1 of Virtual FVS Training

    Virtual Workshop Information

    At this point, FVS will already be loaded to your computer and you will be ready to familiarize or re-familiarize yourself with FVS, particularly its purpose, functions, and features. During this session you will be guided to complete single and multiple stand runs. From there you will build upon the facilitated-exercises with a skills challenge. As a group you will review run outputs to verify that you’re on track and receive additional troubleshooting support.

    The skills challenge offers the opportunity to use your own data, but it is not required. When the training session is done for the day, you’re encouraged to deepen your understanding by implementing a run with your own data.

    Virtual Workshop Date

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

    Virtual Workshop Session Evaluation

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

    CFEs

    Upon successful completion of this virtual workshop session, you will earn 3.5 CFEs in Category 1. CFEs will automatically be added to your CFE record located on www.eforester.org.

    Certificate

    Upon successful completion of this session of the virtual workshop and virtual workshop session evaluation, participants may download and print a certificate verifying completion of the virtual workshop session 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 virtual workshop, access this virtual workshop session 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.

  • Virtual FVS Training - Day 2: Modeling Basic Management with Thinnings
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/04/2026 at 1:00 PM (EST)

    Day 2 of Virtual FVS Training

    Virtual Workshop information

    Build on from the foundational runs from Day 1 by simulating 3 different thinning actions.

    1. Diameter-specific Thinning
    2. Thin from Below
    3. Thinning to Desired Canopy Cover

    Like Day 1, a skills challenge will be provided integrating different thinning treatments. To enhance the relevance of the training consider using your own data.

    Virtual Workshop Date

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

    Virtual Workshop Session Evaluation

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

    CFEs

    Upon successful completion of this session of the virtual workshop, you will earn 4.0 CFEs in Category 1. CFEs will automatically be added to your CFE record located on www.eforester.org.

    Certificate

    Upon successful completion of this session of the virtual workshop and virtual workshop session evaluation, participants may download and print a certificate verifying completion of the virtual workshop session 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 virtual workshop, access this virtual workshop session 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.

  • Virtual FVS Training - Day 4: Modeling Regeneration and Complex Management Scenarios
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/06/2026 at 1:00 PM (EST)

    Day 4 of Virtual FVS Training

    Virtual Workshop Information

    Thinking beyond basic harvesting, fire and fuels management, aiming for variable density outcomes, and laying the groundwork for regeneration is part of the management and modeling puzzle. Build upon the prior days’ work to enhance your modeling practice with more complex scenarios.

    1. Thin to Variable Density
    2. Regeneration in Single-Tree and Group Selecting Harvesting Systems

    Conquer the Daily Skills Challenge using either the provided data set or your own to assess the outcomes of different management alternatives.

    Virtual Workshop Date

    Day 4 - Modeling Regeneration and Complex Management Scenarios - November 6, 1-5:30 PM ET - 3.5 Category 1 CFEs

    Virtual Workshop Session Evaluation

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

    CFEs

    Upon successful completion of this virtual workshop session, you will earn 3.5 CFEs in Category 1. CFEs will automatically be added to your CFE record located on www.eforester.org.

    Certificate

    Upon successful completion of this session of the virtual workshop and virtual workshop session evaluation, participants may download and print a certificate verifying completion of the virtual workshop session 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 virtual workshop, access this virtual workshop session 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.

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Support

If you need assistance with registration, accessing a ForestEd product you purchased, or other customer service-related issues, please email [email protected] during normal office hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET.

Sponsors

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Victoria Duval at [email protected]