Leveraging positive interactions among tree species is a potentially powerful tool to sustain forests under climate change. However, experimental validation is only nascent in California. We used Forest Inventory data to investigate the potential of species mixture effects to enhance tree growth, vigor, and survival for major conifers and hardwoods. Presented by Christopher Looney, USFS PSW Research Station at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Researchers, forest managers, citizen scientists, and non-governmental agencies collaborated on a white oak forest restoration project on the William B. Bankhead National Forest in Alabama, from seed collection to planting seedlings. Presented by Christine Martens, USDA Forest Service at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA

We monitored woody plant community dynamics and abiotic stand conditions in an upland mixed oak-shortleaf pine stand treated with two prescribed fires following an extended period of fire exclusion. Positive fire effects were initially documented, but continued monitoring will be required to ensure desired management objectives are achieved. Presented by J. Davis Goode, USDA Forest Service, at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

The presented work evaluated the yield and nutritive value of orchardgrass and novel-endophyte tall fescue established in thinned, previously unmanaged hardwood forest. The purpose of this work was to create data-based best management practices to support small beef farmers transitioning a portion of their forestland to silvopasture. Presented by Christine Nieman, USDA-ARS at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Across the U.S., 41% of the timber removals come from family forests. The factors associated with this wood supply are explored using data from forest inventory plots, landowner surveys, mill surveys, and other data sources. General descriptive results will be presented along with results from bivariate and multivariable analyses. Presented by Brett Butler, USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

The National Woodland Owner Survey science module on landowner values was developed and implemented in order to collect data on economic values not covered by the base NWOS survey, with an aim of bringing us closer to understanding the total economic value (TEV) that landowners derive from their forested land. Presented by Jesse Caputo, US Forest Service at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

The Pacific Coast Temperate Forest carbon partnership completed a regional study detailing current forest and harvested wood product carbon stocks, sequestration, drivers of change, and wood product flows in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Study results provide a consistent baseline for regional monitoring, carbon accounting and climate mitigation policy. Presented by Glenn Christensen, PNW Research Station and Nadia Tase, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

The California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force created Regional Resource Kits, a set of data and tools to guide regional collaboratives in their efforts to improve the conditions of forested and shrub landscapes. This presentation will offer a tour of the data, analyses, and tools available in the Kits. Presented by John Battles, UC Berkeley; Peter Stine, Climate and Wildfire Institute; and Patricia Manley, USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Understanding landowner perceptions of incentive programs and how use of incentives impact landowner behavior may provide decisionmakers with essential information related to designing new programs for forest carbon. This study includes a review of the literature on forest incentive programs and landowner behavior, including incentives for carbon. Presented by Tamara Cushing, University of Florida and Stephanie Chizmar, US Forest Service at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Forest canopy gap dynamics are an important component of stand development in upland forests. In Upper Mississippi River floodplain forests, however, canopy gap dynamics do not appear to follow established patterns in upland forests. Recruitment failures in floodplain forest gaps may ultimately lead to large-scale forest loss. Presented by Andrew Meier, US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Riparian areas provide important opportunities to protect one of our most valuable natural resources ­– surface water drinking sources. The Buffering America's Waterways tool is interactive mapping tool for identifying where perennial vegetation could be planted or enhanced to filter water running off cropland to improve drinking water quality. Presented by Matthew Smith, USDA Forest Service - National Agroforestry Center at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Common Ground-Getting to the Root of Forest Productivity
Forest productivity is directly related to soil productivity. When we take care of our soils, we invest in the long term health of our forest lands. Starting from this place of mutual understanding, Tongass soil scientists have built strong relationships with the Tongass foresters.

Finding Common Ground: How Soil Scientists and Silviculturists Can Develop a Common Understanding of Site Resilience
Understanding how soil forming factors and climatic variables influence site recovery can help address concerns for regeneration and long-term site productivity in a changing climate. By working together, soil scientists and silviculturists can arrive at a common understanding of site resilience. 

Insights, Tips, and Suggestions for Building Relationships Between Soil Scientists and Foresters
Collaboration between professionals specializing in diverse environmental science disciplines improves forest management strategies and our understanding of forest health and productivity. Here, we will specifically focus on the importance of collaboration between soil scientists and foresters, demonstrating advantages for forest health and land practice.

Presented by Jacquie Foss, Tongass National Forest; Erik Anderson, Custer-Gallatin National Forest; and Derek Pierson, Rocky Mountain Research Station, US Forest Service at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Why foresters and soil scientists should be BFFs
We explain the important relationship that foresters and soil scientists must maintain to sustainably manage forests.

Clarity Through Conflict and Cooperation: The Relationship Between Foresters and Soil Scientists on National Forests
The relationship between foresters and soil scientists on national forest lands can be many things, but it is never dull.  How we develop and nurture this relationship is critical to the sustainable management of our natural resources, especially in the face of climate change.

Building Effective Relationships with Foresters: Lessons from the Mark Twain and Ottawa National Forests
It may sound cliché, but everything that you need to know about developing effective working relationships with foresters we learned in kindergarten. Here we describe what successful relationships look like and provide tips on how to establish them.
Presented by Stephanie Connolly, USDA Forest Service; Claudia Cotton, USDA Forest Service, Daniel Boone National Forest; and Kyle Steele, USDA Forest Service, Mark Twain National Forest at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Riparian areas provide important opportunities to protect one of our most valuable natural resources ­– surface water drinking sources. The Buffering America's Waterways tool is interactive mapping tool for identifying where perennial vegetation could be planted or enhanced to filter water running off cropland to improve drinking water quality. Presented by Matthew Smith, USDA Forest Service - National Agroforestry Center at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

The Prairie States Forestry Project (PSFP) Digital Archive provides access to historical documents from the largest afforestation project to date in the United States. This new archive provides a platform and a systematic framework for understanding the strengths and limitations of the PSFP that could help guide future landscape interventions. Presented by Gary Bentrup, USDA National Agroforestry Center at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is exploring opportunities for integrating trees into urban agriculture efforts, through urban agroforestry. This presentation will review opportunities and challenges, based on discussions with experts from inside and outside NRCS. Discussion will elicit meeting participant questions, interests, ideas, and experiences in this area. Presented by Laurie Schoonhoven, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Susan Stein, USDA NRCS at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Cheryl discusses her past and current challenges in managing old-growth ecosystems on the Williamette National Forest, Oregon Presented by Cheryl Friesen, USDA USFS at the 2023 SAF National Convention in Sacramento, CA.

Black ash (Fraxinus nigra), the most highly preferred and vulnerable host of emerald ash borer (EAB) in North America, has cultural and spiritual significance to many Native American and First Nations tribes across its range. This presentation details the EAB invasion, loss of black ash resources, and associated cultural impact. Presented by Nathan Siegert at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.

FAO established four forest invasive species networks: APFISN (Asia-Pacific), FISNA (Africa) NENPHIS (Near East), REUFIS (Europe & Central Asia). Objectives are to raise awareness, share information, facilitate access, build capacity and regional cooperation and collaboration. A global forest biosecurity framework is being developed under a OneHealth approach through among-network collaboration. Presented by Bruce Moltzan at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.

Invasive insects and pathogens devastate forest ecosystems along with climate change; Forest health is a global public good but due to conflicts of interest, the forest health crisis is a social dilemma; Collective action will depend on exchange of pest biodiversity and biogeography data to assess risk Presented by Geoffrey Williams at the 2022 SAF National Convention in Baltimore, MD.