USU's Restoring the West Conference Is Restored

The Restoring the West workshop, founded in 2006, brings together leading scientists and managers from across the West to bridge the gap between university research and on-the-ground experience. It will be Oct. 22-23 at the Utah State University Eccles Conference Center in Logan.

USU Forestry Extension is teaming up with the Utah Forest Restoration Institute to present the two-day event. It features presenters from state and federal land-management agencies, private industry and nonprofits, as well as scientists, researchers, practitioners, and others representing forest restoration and natural resource management.

“After a six-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic and staffing changes, Restoring the West returns this year with new partners, renewed energy, and the same commitment to bringing people together to advance forest and land restoration,” said Darren McAvoy, USU Extension forestry specialist and co-organizer.

He said the conference is designed to create meaningful opportunities for communication and collaboration between managers and scientists. Beyond presentations and discussions, the format gives participants ample time to exchange ideas, build connections, and continue conversations over meals and refreshments.

USU has also partnered with the University of Utah to host a bonus event on Friday afternoon. Charting a Roadmap of Wildfire Research and Policy in Utah will feature presentations from USU and U of U researchers, followed by small-group sessions. The half-day workshop the afternoon of Oct. 23 is free and aims to highlight potential research and policy collaborations between USU and U of U faculty and map directions for wildfire research in Utah.

Walk-up and online registration is $125 and includes lunch on both days and heavy hors d’oeuvres during the evening poster session. Although the Charting a Roadmap of Wildfire Research and Policy in Utah workshop is free, attendees are encouraged to register.

For more about Restoring the West and a detailed program, click here. For registration information, click here.