2026 Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference

Sponsored by Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin Extension Services 

The 2026 Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference will be March 7 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa from 9am to 4:30pm. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Miranda Curzon from Iowa State University. Dr. Curzon will discuss adaption silviculture.  

We are continuing our popular Basics of Forestry track, that gives great information to landowners that are just getting started in forest management or anyone looking for a refresher.  This track includes sessions on Tree Identification, forest stewardship plans, invasive plant identification, and forest measurements.  Other topics at the conference include wildlife, invasive species control, timber markets, prescribed fire, maple syrup, carbon markets, and more.

The day will end with a discussion with non-profit organizations from the region on working private landowners on forestry projects.

Pre-registration is required to attend. Sign up by February 12 to take advantage of the Early bird registration fee of $55.  After that, the fee increases to $65. The Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference is designed specifically for forest landowners in the Midwest, but forestry professionals, consultants, volunteers, Master Naturalists, and students are all encouraged to attend. 

If you have questions about the conference, please contact forestry@extension.wisc.edu. 

Schedule 

8:00-9:00 am – On-site Check-in

9:00 am - Welcome 

9:10-10:00 am - Keynote Address
Managing for Uncertainty: Adaptation Silviculture for Driftless Area Forests 
Miranda Curzon, Iowa State University

The Land use change, fragmentation, and altered disturbance regimes have negatively impacted oak-hickory forests across the Central Hardwood Forest Region (including the Driftless Area) over the last two centuries. This has led to changes in forest structure, species composition, and wildlife habitat as well as degraded timber quality. Associated management challenges have potential to become even more complicated as emerging forest health threats (e.g. invasive plants, pests, and pathogens), changes to the environment (e.g. longer growing seasons, extreme weather events, increasing potential for water stress), and other anticipated stressors further impact forests and woodlands. Adaptation silviculture, silviculture focused on increasing the capacity for forest stands to recover successfully following disturbances, offers tools and strategies to help managers address such challenges.  To date, little guidance specific to the Driftless Area and greater Central Hardwood Forest Region has been available.  To address this need, a multi-state collaborative Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change (ASCC) study is examining four experimental treatments (resistance, resilience, transition, and passive no action) replicated in eight operational-scale blocks distributed across state-owned lands in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. During this talk, I will provide an overview of identified vulnerabilities and climate change projections for oak-dominated forests in the region, summarize the ASCC Network study process and design, and describe the adaptation treatments currently being implemented as part of the Driftless Area ASCC study.

10:10-11:00 am -  Session 1

A: The Basics of Tree Identification - Emma Kerns, Iowa State University Extension (Forestry Basics Track)
Tree identification is a key skill for effective forest management and understanding your woodlands. This presentation will serve as a foundation for your journey in learning tree identification, discussing basic characteristics and providing tips to improve your skills.

B: Woodland Landowner Considerations for Forest Carbon Programs - Keith Phelps, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
In the past few years, opportunities for woodland landowners to participate in forest carbon programs have expanded across the Midwest. However, it can be difficult to understand if enrolling in a forest carbon pro-gram is compatible with the management vision for your woodland. Join UW-Madison Extension Forestry for a presentation on forest carbon programs operating in the Midwest and important questions to consider when deciding whether or not to enroll in a forest carbon program.

C: Cultivation for Conservation: Growing American Ginseng in Private Woodlands - Tony Johnson, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a highly valued non-timber forest product, but decades of over-harvesting have pushed wild populations into decline. Join this session to learn how you, as a private wood-land owner, can grow high-value, wild-simulated ginseng on your own property. We will cover everything you need to know to decide if this iconic native plant is right for your forest understory, plus practical tips for getting started.

D: Conservation Connections: Forests, Moths, Birds, and Bats, Kevin Rohling, University of Illinois Extension
Forest ecosystems benefit from active management practices like prescribed fire, invasive species control, and forest stand improvement. Forests also provide critical habitat for wildlife, including prey resources like Lepidoptera that are important to many species of conservation concern, including several bats and birds such as nightjars. This presentation explores how forest management influences Lepidoptera and their predators, emphasizing moths, and discussing interactions between forest management, moths, and their predators. In addition, the presentation will offer practical tips for improving habitat and engaging in citizen science initiatives to monitor changes over time.

11:00-11:20 am  - Break

11:20 am-12:10 pm  - Session 2

A:  Your First Step to a Healthy Woodland: Getting a Forest Stewardship Plan - Johanna Desprez, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Forestry Basics Track)
Are you a new woodland owner wondering how to care for your woodland? A Forest Stewardship Plan is one of the most valuable tools you can have. In this session, we’ll explore why these plans are important for the health and productivity of your woods, what is in the plan, how to get one through available programs and resources, and the many ways you can put your plan into action from improving wildlife habitat to enhancing recreational opportunities and even generating income. Whether your goals are conservation, enjoyment, legacy planning, or encouraging wildlife on your land this presentation will help you take the first steps toward sustainable woodland management.

B: Timber Markets and Tariffs - Pat Grau

C: Fire Ecology for Managing Grasslands and Woodlands - Jon Henn, University of Illinois
The tri-state area is dominated by fire-adapted ecosystems from prairies to savannas to barrens and oak woodlands. His-torically, fire played a key role in maintaining diversity, structure, and function in these systems. Today, prescribed fire is a tool that can be used to promote plant diversity, control invasive species, and restore structure. In this session we will discuss some of the basics of fire ecology in native systems and how it can be implemented on private land for management goals.

D: Beginner Maple Sugaring - From Tree to Table - Tony Johnson, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
Do you own or have access to maple trees (sugar maples, red maples, silver maples, black maples, or even boxelder)? Have you considered harvesting sap from your trees to make maple syrup? This presentation will cover the maple syrup production process - from tree to table. We will also cover key considerations for deciding if maple sugaring is right for you and your land.

12:10-1:00 pm  -  Lunch

1:00-2:00 pm  -  Session 3

A: Introductory Invasive Plant Identification - TBD, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Forestry Basics Track)
Learn to Identify some common invasive plants you may find in your woods

B: Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water Quality - Cierra Sirianni, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water Quality will cover an overview of water resources, water quality concepts, waterway crossings, road building and maintenance, and BMP use.

C: Using the Landowner Climate Risk Scorecard - Keith Phelps, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
From extreme weather to invasive species to poor tree regeneration, Midwest woodlands are undergoing a lot of change-- with more expected to come. Join UW-Madison Extension Forestry for a presentation on using the "Landowner Climate Risk Scorecard" to assess your woodland's vulnerability and improve its resilience. We'll cover how to use the tool and look at some sustainable management actions to help our woodlands!

D: Native Conifers of the Tri-State Region - Justin Vozzo, University of Illinois Extension
No matter where you are located in the Tri-State region, conifers play an important, and often underappreciated, ecological role. Understanding the ecology of these trees can engage us to think more deeply about the history of the landscapes we work and live in. This talk will familiarize attendees with native conifers of the Tri-State region; we will discuss distributions, identification features, and other unique ecological characteristics for each species. As foresters and land stewards, understanding our native conifers broadens our perspective of the many unique habitats and forest ecosystems in the Tri-State region.

2:10-3:00 pm  -  Session 4

A:  An Introduction to Forest Measurements - Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension (Forestry Basics Track)
Forest management decisions should be data-driven and based on the measurements collected during a forest inventory. Anyone not familiar with forestry may find these measurements confusing or hard to interpret what they mean. This presentation will cover common measurements used in forestry, the tools and methods used to collect them, and what the measurements can tell you about your forest.

B: Riparian Forest Buffer Resurgence! - Billy Beck, Iowa State University Extension
This session will empower woodland owners to effectively (and practically) assess, implement, and manage riparian forest buffer systems for maximum ecosystem goods and services returns.

C: Primer on herbicides and how to use to optimize control of invasive plants - Mark Renz, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
This presentation will overview key concepts of herbicides, and and overview how to select and use the appropriate product to improve your forest management objectives.

D: Lightning Talks on three emerging forest health concerns

• The Midas Mushroom: Ecology, Evolution, and Management of Invasive Golden Oyster Mushrooms- Aishwarya Veerabahu, Univ of Wisconsin-Madison
• Japanese stiltgrass, a new invasive plant to the Tri-State region - Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension
• Spotted Lanternfly - Ema Kerns, Iowa State University Extension

3:00-3:20pm  -  Break

3:20-4:20pm  -  Closing Keynote Session

Non-Profits in the Tri-State Area
John Burke - National Wild Turkey Federation, Ann Calhoun - The Nature Conservancy Driftless Region, Jeff Jensen - Trees Forever, Jordan Winkenbach, American Bird Conservancy
Using a panel discussion and question-and-answer format, forestry leaders from four non-profit organizations will discuss working with landowners to advance forestry on private lands.

4:20pm - Closing and Door Prizes. Must be present to win.