Session Topics

Andrew Barton, Professor of Biology at University of Maine Farmington, author of The Changing Nature of the Maine Woods, and Ecology and Recovery of Old-growth Forests in Eastern North America
Topic: Facilitator for discussion on “What is old growth”?

Jaci Braund, Ecologist with Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
Topic: Approaches in Pennsylvania to the study of old forests

Charlie Cogbill, Historical ecologist and associate of Harvard Forest, faculty of Sterling College, formerly at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest
Topic: Definitions of old-growth forests, original pre-settlement forest composition

David Foster,  Ecologist, Director Emeritus of the Harvard Forest, President Emeritus of the Highstead Foundation, and author or editor of numerous books as well as the 2023 report, Wildlands in New England—Past, Present, and Future.
Topic: Wildlands in New England: Past, Present, and Future-- A report on the current state of Wildlands in New England, and a vision for increasing their share of the region along with managed forests and farmlands 

Shawn Fraver, Associate Professor of Forest Ecology, University of Maine
Topic: Identifying old-growth characteristics, natural disturbance history and downed woody debris

Lee Frelich, Director of University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources
Topic: Threats to forests, non-native earthworms, panel on old-growth definitions

Max Henschel, Ecologist with the New York Natural Heritage Program
Topic: Approaches in New York to the study of old forests

Bob Leverett, Co-founder and Director of Native Tree Society, noted author of numerous old-growth forest publications, tree measuring expert, MA
Topic: The history and role of the Eastern Old-Growth Conference series

Dave Orwig, Senior Forest Ecologist at Harvard Forest, MA
Topic: Old-growth forest characteristics of Eastern North America

Neil Pederson, Senior Forest Ecologist at Harvard Forest, MA
Topic: Surprising discoveries that challenge limits of tree age assumptions

Justin Schlawin, Forest Ecologist with Maine Natural Areas Program
Topic: Approaches in Maine to the study of old forests

Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology, University of British Columbia, researcher, author of “Finding the Mother Tree”, and other publications
Topic: The value and importance of old-growth forests (presentation will be virtual)

David Stahle, Distinguished Professor and Director of Tree Ring Laboratory, University of Arkansas
Topic: Frontiers of dendrochronology and its value for understanding paleoclimatology

Bob Zaino, Ecologist with Vermont Natural Heritage Program
Topic: Approaches in Vermont to the inventory, study, and protection of old forests

Back to Conference Themes

Paul Catanzaro, Professor at Department of Environmental Conservation, UMass Amherst, and MA State Extension Forester
Topic: Managing forests for old-growth characteristics

Jon Leibowitz, Executive Director of Northeast Wilderness Trust
Topic: The complementary approaches of active and passive management: both are important
Topic: Saying Yes to Wildlands AND Woodlands

Joan Maloof, Founder and former Director of the Old Growth Forest Network
Topic: Preservation and Accessibility: The Old-Growth Forest Network

Caitlin Mather, Land Protection Manager at Northeast Wilderness Trust
Topic: Programs for private protection of wildlands, including NEWT’s Wildlands Partnership

Robert Perschel, Executive Director of New England Forestry Foundation
Topic: The complementary approaches of active and passive management: both are important
Topic: Saying Yes to Wildlands AND Woodlands

Mike Pounch, Chief of Silviculture at the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (DACF)
Topic: Managing for old-growth characteristics

Carolyn Ziegra, Research Forester with the Appalachian Mountain Club
Topic: Managing for old-growth characteristics

Back to Conference Themes

Mark Anderson, Director of Conservation Science, The Nature Conservancy
Topic: “Wild carbon” – climate and forests, and carbon sequestration efficiencies of forest types and size classes

Ed Faison, Senior Ecologist at Highstead Foundation, Massachusetts
Topic: Resilience of old-growth forests

Alexandra Kosiba, University of Vermont Extension Assistant Forester
Topic: Fundamental mechanics of global carbon storage and sequestration

Bill McKibben, Author, Educator, Activist, and founder of Third Act
Topic: The Third Act

Back to Conference Themes

Semra Aytur, Professor, Health Management & Policy, University of New Hampshire
Topic: Connections between planetary and human health, climate justice, interdisciplinary approaches to climate change mitigation related to human health

Lauren Ferguson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire
Topic: Planetary health, climate change and human well-being

Suzanna Fletcher, PsyD.,  Chief of Clinical Practices and a forest therapy guide for BirchWalking
Topic: Forest-based practices to improve human health and well-being

Anastassia Makarieva, Ph.D., Senior Researcher in the Theoretical Physics Division of Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute
Topic: Forests and global well-being

Gibran Mancus, Assistant Professor, Nursing, University of New Hampshire
Topic: Health and wellness impacts of nature and forests on university students

Susan Masino, Vernon D. Roosa Professor of Applied Science at Trinity College and a joint appointment in Neuroscience and Psychology, Trinity College
Topic: Impact of forests on brain health; interdisciplinary approaches to climate change mitigation

Nadine Mazzola, Author, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, and Founder & Director of New England Nature and Forest Therapy Consulting
Topic: Impact of nature-connected wellness practices such as Forest Bathing

Paul and Denise Pouliot, head speakers of the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, NH 
Topic: Conference Welcome

Florence Williams, Journalist, podcaster and author of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative
Topic: Connections between human health and nature-connected wellness practices

Session Topics and speakers are accurate as of 8/8/23. See Schedule for further details.

Back to Conference Themes

Back to Top