Overview
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) hosted its annual National Convention in Hartford, Connecticut, last week (Oct. 21-25). The convention marked the 125th anniversary of SAF and brought together foresters, researchers and policymakers to reflect on the rich history of forestry, share current advancements and look ahead to the future of sustainable forest management.
SAF National Convention Attendance
Sara Cerv, forest conservation director for the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont Region; Amelia “Melly” Napper, forest wildlife specialist for the Northeast Region; and Aaron Lewis, forest conservation coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region, were in attendance.
House of Delegates
Cerv attended the House of Delegates (HSD) meeting representing the Appalachian Society of American Foresters. The HSD is a collection of representatives from each of the 30 SAF state and multistate societies. Its purpose is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information to improve SAF and serve as a key channel of communication between state societies, the SAF Board of Directors and national office staff. Discussions at the HSD meeting emphasized how collaboration across organizations can strengthen the profession and unite efforts around a common vision.
Presentation
Todd Waldron and Napper presented “Resilient Forests for Wildlife: Collaborative Habitat Stewardship in the Northeast United States,” which highlighted how active forest management and collaborative partnerships sustain wildlife populations and promote resilient forest ecosystems.
The presentation drew a full audience, with seating quickly reaching capacity and many attendees standing throughout the session. The strong turnout reflected the high level of interest in the topic and its relevance to professionals across multiple sectors.
