2025 IUFRO Small Scale Forestry and Extension and Knowledge Exchange Joint Conference

Conference details

The IUFRO 3.08.00 Small Scale Forestry Research Group and 9.01.03 Extension and Knowledge Exchange Working Group will have a joint conference in September 2025. The objective of this conference is to bring together researchers and other professionals to exchange knowledge related to small-scale forestry, forestry extension, and related fields. The conference will be held 8-Sep-2025 through 10-Sep-2025, at the Marriott Delta Hotel in Everett, WA, USA. Accommodations at the hotel will be available at a special conference rate of $165 USD/night starting the night of 7-Sep-2025 if booked by 8-Aug-2025.

Conference presentations will be held on 8-Sep-2025 and 10-Sep-2025. The in-conference tour (included with the conference registration) will be on 9-Sep-2025, which will include visits to two examples of community-managed small-scale forests, a visit to Snoqualmie Falls, and a conference banquet at Ivar’s Salmon House in downtown Seattle. The conference will be hosted by Washington State University.

Optional post-conference tour

An optional post-conference tour, “Small Scale Forestry in Volcano Country,” will be held 11-Sep-2025 through 13-Sep-2025. The tour will leave from the Marriott Hotel in Everett the morning of 11-Sep-2025 and will include visits to small-scale tree farms in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains who are doing innovative work to manage for climate resilience and to reduce deer browse damage in plantations. The tour will also visit Mount Rainier National Park and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to learn about the powerful impact that the Cascade volcanoes have on the region’s forests. Accommodations for the first night of the tour will be at the historic Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier. The tour will end at 19:00 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on 13-Sep-2025. All meals and lodging are included in the tour.

Call for papers

Theme and topics

The theme of the conference is “Three-Dimensional Seeing: Combining Indigenous, Western Science, and Experiential Knowledge to Address Modern Problems.” This theme is intended to build on the concept of “Two-Eyed Seeing” that aims to combine Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science. The “Third Dimension” is that of the small-scale landowners and others who are interacting with the land now. In addition to topics related to the theme, all papers that address one or more of the topics related to Small-scale Forestry, Extension, or Knowledge Exchange will be considered. These additional topics include, but are not limited to:

  • The role of small-scale forestry in rural development
  • Financial modeling and decision support systems
  • Enhancing return from non-wood products
  • Social impacts of small-scale forestry
  • Marketing, forest co-operatives, and growers’ organizations
  • Community forestry
  • The role and effectiveness of government support and subsidies
  • Innovative research techniques
  • Education and extension
  • Certification
  • Impediments to small-scale forestry development
  • Forest management behavior and timber supply

Selected papers will be invited to publish in a special issue of the Small-scale Forestry journal.

Submission process and decision criteria

All abstracts will be reviewed by at least two members of the conference scientific committee. The materials will be assessed based on relevance to the conference, scientific contribution, novelty/innovative, adequacy of the research/study methods, and the organization and writing quality of the abstract. Acceptance decisions, and any comments from the reviewers, will be returned to the lead author.

The information requested includes a presentation title, an abstract (maximum of 1,500 characters), a list of authors and affiliations, and desired presentation type (full oral presentation or speed talk). The speed talks are in place of poster presentations.

To submit a proposal, please download the submission form and submit your completed form to either of the conference science committee co-chairs: Brett Butler or Calvin Norman.

Important submission dates

First call for papers

  • Announcement: 15-Jan-2025
  • First call for papers ends: 12-Feb-2025
  • Announcement of decisions from first call for papers: 12-Mar-2025

Second call for papers

  • Announcement: 8-Mar-2025
  • Second call for papers ends: 8-May-25
  • Announcement of decisions from second call for papers announced on a rolling basis, but no later than: 8-Jun-25

Additional information on submitting proposals

For additional information on submitting proposals, please contact either of the conference science committee co-chairs: Brett Butler or Calvin Norman.

Cost and registration information

The registration deadline is 20-Aug-2025.
Early bird discounted conference registration rate is extended until July 31st

Regular conference registration rate

  • Early bird registration fee (register before 31-Jul-2025): $400 USD.
  • Regular registration fee (1-Aug-2025 through 20-Aug-2025): $525 USD

Student conference registration rate

To qualify for the student rate, you must be currently enrolled in a degree program at higher education institution.

  • Early bird student registration fee (register before 31-Jul-2025): $200 USD.
  • Regular student registration fee (1-Aug-2025 through 20-Aug-2025): $265 USD

What is included

  • All conference sessions and the in-conference field trip
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on 8-Sep-2025
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on 9-Sep-2025
  • Breakfast and lunch on 10-Sep-2025

Accompanying guest option

If a person will be traveling with you, such as a spouse or family member, but not attending the conference, there is an option for them to join you as a guest for conference meals.

  • Meals only guest (no conference attendance) on Monday 8-Sep (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and Wednesday 10-Sep (breakfast, lunch): $150 USD.
  • Meals only guest (no conference attendance) on Monday 8-Sep (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and Wednesday 10-Sep (breakfast, lunch), and participation in the in-conference field trip on 9-Sep: $250 USD.

Single day option

Registration for individual days is also available.

  • One-day option: $175
  • Two-day option: $350

Optional post conference tour fee

All conference attendees and accompanying persons are invited to attend the optional post conference tour.

  • Double occupancy lodging (you will be assigned a roommate): Sold out
  • Single occupancy lodging: Sold-Out
  • If you are interested in the tour, contact Kevin Zobrist to get on a waiting list in case space becomes available.

The post conference tour fee includes lodging, transportation, entrance fees, and all meals.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation requests must be received by August 20th to be eligible for a refund. No refunds will be given after August 20th.

Registration

Registration is now closed

With thanks to our sponsors

  • Washington State University
  • Family Forest Research Center
  • Family Forest Foundation
  • Washington Farm Forestry Association