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Forests’ Future Front and Center
Experts delve into balancing love of forests with reality
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Aug. 4, 2025 — Northern hardwood forests are iconic but managing them takes more than admiration. It requires smart, sometimes tough decisions that balance our love for nature with the realities of climate change, forest health, and economic needs.
From Aug. 5-7, nearly 150 forest professionals will gather in Syracuse for the Northern Hardwoods Conference, hosted by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). The event, held at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, brings together experts from across the Northeast and eastern Canada to share research, practical insights, and collaborative solutions for the future of our forests.
Topics range from invasive species and deer management to forest restoration and urban forestry — all aimed at helping northern hardwoods thrive in a changing world.
“Northern hardwood forests aren’t just scenic backdrops — they’re part of our daily lives, from the maple syrup on our breakfast tables to the clean air we breathe,” said Sara Dreibelbis, ESF teaching assistant and conference coordinator. “Whether you hike, work in forestry, or just care about the environment, the future of these forests affects you which is why this conversation is so important now more than ever.”
ESF experts will lead sessions on forest and wildlife management, invasive species, and restoration efforts — including work on the American chestnut. Attendees will also tour Heiberg Forest and the Lafayette Road Experimental Station to see forest science in action.
Conference attendees include representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve, and Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry.
University representatives from Syracuse University, University of Maine, University of Vermont, Michigan Tech University, Michigan State University, West Virginia University, Cornell University, and University of Kentucky will be in attendance. And companies and NGOs will also be represented including The Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society, CERFO, the New York Forest Owners Association, Baillie Group, Atlantic Plywood, Cotton-Hanlon, Molpus Woodlands Group, LandVest, PRT, and the Northern Tier Hardwood Association.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.