Program Highlights
Conference Keynote Address
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
“Forecasting NE Forest Futures with the U.S. Forest Service — Northern Research Station”
Presenter: Andy Hines, PhD, University of Houston
Dr. Andy Hines is the current Program Coordinator at the University of Houston’s Graduate Program in Foresight, one of the nation’s leading academic Futures Forecasting programs. Dr. Hines recently worked with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station’s Strategic Foresight Group (SFG) to design and implement a formal Horizon Scanning System for the agency, with the goal of increasing strategic foresight within the agency (Hines, et al 2019), and forecasting forest futures in the Northeast U.S. through the year 2090. Hines will share the SFG’s development of a process to identify useful scanning sources pertinent to forest futures, strategies for distinguishing between current and emerging issues, the development of methods and training materials for those tasked with scanning and analyzing information sources, and guidance for communicating the results of futures forecasting efforts.
Conference Dinner
Thursday, October 27, 2022
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Special guest presentation by Lindsey Rustad, PhD, USDA Forest Service:
“Why Ice Storms Aren’t Cool: The latest research on forest response to these catastrophic events”
Dr. Lindsey Rustad is Co-Director of the USDA Northeast Climate Hub, providing expertise on the impacts of global change on northeastern forests. She is also a Research Ecologist for the USDA Forest Service Center for Research on Ecosystem Change in Durham, NH and a Team Leader for the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in NH. Her areas of expertise include biogeochemistry, global change impacts, and advanced environmental sensor systems. Her current interests include implementation of cybertechnology in forests across the northeastern United States and integration of Arts and Science at long term ecological field stations.
Conference Program
( pdf of program with detail )
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
| 8:00 – 9:00 Registration in Pavilion Hall |
| 9:00 – 9:30 Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 9:30 – 10:30 Session 1: Old-Growth Catskill Northern Hardwood Forest |
| 10:30 – 10:40 Break |
| 10:40 – 12:00 Session 2: The Past and Future of Catskills Forests |
| 12:00 – 1:30 Buffet Lunch in the Barn |
| 1:30-2:50 Session 3: Climate Change Impact on Water Supply |
| 2:50 – 3:00 Break and Poster Set-up in the Barn |
| 3:00 – 4:00 Session 4: Contributed Presentations |
| 4:00 – 4:45 KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Dr. Andy Hines, University of Houston “Forecasting NE Forest Futures with the U.S. Forest Service – Northern Research Station” |
| 5:00 – 6:30 Poster Session and Mixer in the Barn |
| 8:00 – 10:00 Networking Event: Campfire at the Roadhouse |
Thursday, October 27, 2022
| 8:00 – 9:00 Registration in Pavilion Hall |
| 9:00 – 10:25 Session 5: Environmental Management Success Stories |
| 10:25 – 10:40 Break |
| 10:40 – 12:00 Session 6: Catskill Recreation: Trends/Projections |
| 12:00 – 1:30 Buffet Lunch in the Barn |
| 1:30 – 2:50 Session 7: Social Trends, Ecosystem Response, and the Evolution of Environmental Management |
| 2:50 – 3:00 Break |
| 3:00 – 4:20 Session 8: Contributed Presentations |
| 4:20 – 4:30 Closing and Adjourn |
| 4:30 – 6:00 Networking Event in Pavilion Hall |
| 6:00 – 8:00 CONFERENCE DINNER and PRESENTATION: Dr. Lindsay Rustad, USDA Northeast Climate Hub “Why Ice Storms Aren’t Cool: The latest research on forest response to these catastrophic weather events” |
Friday, October 28, 2022
| 8:00 – 10:30 Hot Buffet Breakfast in Pavilion Hall |
| 9:00 to 10:30 Student Research Breakfast Symposium in Pavilion Loft (This event is open to pre-registered students and faculty only) |
| 8:00 – 11:00 Lodging Check-Out Time |
| 10:00 – 10:30 Field Trip Check-In (boxed lunch provided) |
| 10:30 – 4:30 Field Trip 1: Old Growth Forest Stands (This event is open to pre-registered participants only) The 6-hour field trip stops at three separate old-growth forest stands within the Big Indian Wilderness Unit of the Catskill Forest Preserve. At the first stop, in the Hemlock Mountain Stand, there will be a short dedication ceremony to induct the tract into the Old-Growth Forest Network. From there the hike will reach both Lower Biscuit and Upper Biscuit Old Growth Stands. The field trip is 5-miles round trip and of moderate difficulty with 700 feet of elevation gain. Parking: Old Growth trip participants please park your vehicles in the parking lot marked ‘CERM Conference Overflow Parking’ beyond the apple tree. Look for a sign. Field Trip 2: River Restoration and Research (This event is open to pre-registered participants only) The 5-hour field trip features three nearby stops where river research and monitoring are applied to stream restoration on the Neversink River and upper Esopus Creek. The USGS operates the innovative Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) and fisheries and sediment studies are underway to evaluate stream restoration. The field trip includes minimal difficulty walking on rough terrain to reach project sites. Parking: River trip participants will drive from the Full Moon Resort to the Frost Valley YMCA Horse Barn parking lot. |