Central Issue

What are the potential and roles of intensively managed forest plantations (IMFPs) in the Pacific Northwest?

Definitions

Intensively managed forest plantations (IMFPs) are stands grown under high input culture to rapidly produce timber products with a desired range of wood properties. “High input culture” typically involves intensive site preparation, planting with genetically improved stock, active control of weedy competition, and clearcutting. Fertilization and thinning are also often part of the mix. Under current practices, rotation lengths in the Pacific Northwest can be as little as 8-10 years for hybrid poplar and 30-50 years for Douglas-fir. With continued improvements in genetics and cultural regimes, rotation lengths of IMFPs may be decreased even further.

Symposium Goals

To resolve the following important questions regarding the biology of IMFPs and the economic, environmental and social implications of intensive plantation forestry in the Pacific Northwest. Specific questions that will be addressed are:

1) Biology - Is the yield potential of IMFPs greater than can be achieved under alternative management regimes in the PNW? Can intensive plantation forestry produce high quality wood?
2) Economics - Is forestland value for timber production maximized with IMFPs? Is application of IMFPs necessary for the PNW to be competitive in the world wood market? Do all classes of forestland ownership, where timber production is the primary goal, benefit from intensive plantation forestry?
3) Social Issues - Will forestland owners in the PNW continue to have the social, legal and regulatory license to practice intensive plantation forestry in the future?
4) Environmental Impact - Does the practice of intensive plantation forestry have a net positive impact on the environment when considered on regional and global scales?

Who should attend

The “Interested Forestry Community;” i.e., individuals who are interested in the impacts of intensive plantation management in the Pacific Northwest. Includes managers from forestry organizations, forestry and other natural resource professionals (e.g., foresters, forest engineers, wildlife and fishery biologists, forest hydrologists), academics, policy makers, representatives of environmental groups, and forest certifiers.

Sponsors

Boise Cascade Corporation, The Campbell Group LLC, Defenders of Wildlife, Guistina Land and Timber Company, Hancock Timber Resources Group, Lone Rock Timber Company, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Forest Industries Council, Oregon Forest Resources Institute, Oregon Small Woodlands Association, Oregon State University, Plum Creek Timber Company, Port Blakely Tree Farms LP, Roseburg Forest Products, Seneca Sawmill Company, Starker Forests Inc., Stimson Lumber Company, Superior Lumber Company, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USFS Pacific Northwest Region, USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station - Focused Science Delivery Program, USGS Forest and Range Ecosystem Science Center, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and Weyerhaeuser Company

Symposium Venue

The symposium is in Portland, Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center, eight miles southwest of the Portland International Airport. Block of rooms at special rates has been reserved at the Doubletree Hotel Portland - Lloyd Center. More information is available on the Arrangements page.

Fee

The symposium fee is $125. The fee includes presentations, handouts, a reception on Tuesday, continental breakfast and lunch each day, and refreshment breaks. To register go to the Online Registration page.

Scholarships