By Blake Jackson
The 2026 Central Hardwoods Forest Conference (CHFC) will take place from March 3-6, with the theme “Tough Problems and Smart Solutions.” This event will be held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Forest Health Briefing, an annual spring meeting. While attendees can participate in both gatherings, separate registration is required for each.
The Forest Health Briefing will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at The Penn Stater, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 3:00 p.m., followed by transportation to the Nittany Lion Inn. The evening will feature a mixer with refreshments and a cash bar starting at 6:00 p.m.
The Central Hardwoods Forest Conference begins on Wednesday, March 4, at the Nittany Lion Inn, with breakfast served at 7:00 a.m. The morning includes a leadership address and plenary talk, followed by a series of technical sessions covering diverse forest management topics. The afternoon continues with additional sessions, and the day concludes with a poster session and evening social.
On Thursday, March 5, attendees can enjoy a breakfast talk before engaging in a panel discussion titled “A Retrospective on Evolving Problems and Evolving Solutions.” The day continues with more technical sessions, flash talks, and closing remarks by 4:15 p.m.
An optional post-conference tour on Friday, March 6, will explore restoration silviculture and challenges in hardwood management on private lands, offering participants a hands-on learning experience before returning to the Nittany Lion Inn by 4:00 p.m. For complete agenda, visit https://extension.psu.edu/2026-central-hardwoods-forest-conference-date-set.
For questions, attendees can contact Professor Calvin Norman at cmn5525@psu.edu.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley
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