Southern Fire Exchange

Drought & Aquatic Ecosystems in the Southeast Workshop
2025-01-07 08:00 - 2025-01-09 17:00 (America/New_York) | Raleigh, NC, Raleigh, North Carolina
Save the dates for a regional workshop on ‘Drought and Aquatic Ecosystems in the Southeast: Informing drought response and ecological resilience to future low-flow events’ will be held on January 7-9, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Registration will open in August on the workshop website. Sign up to be notified when registration opens. Further agenda details to come.
What: Given the broad interest and need to better understand and plan for ecological drought in the Southeast, the USGS Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) and NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), in support of the Southeast Drought Early Warning System (DEWS), will convene a 3-day workshop addressing drought and low-flow in the Southeast.

Theme 1 will focus on understanding drought/low-flow ecosystem impacts and water resource management in the context of the Southeast.
Theme 2 will focus on ecological drought monitoring and response in the near-term.
Theme 3 will focus on incorporating drought/low-flow in long-term resilience and adaptation planning.

This workshop will provide an opportunity to share available science, resources, and best practices; jointly identify key management priorities and research questions; and expand the region’s ability to respond and prepare for future droughts.
Who: The intended audience for this workshop are federal, Tribal, regional, and state natural resource managers, water resource managers, drought planners, regional boundary organizations (water and climate), scientists, and data providers. The geographic scope will be Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Why: The Southeast region has experienced several periods of exceptional drought in the 21st century and is a hot spot for frequent drought events that can rapidly intensify. Competing water demands stress supply even in this humid region. Historically, drought has been viewed in terms of its agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic impacts. How drought affects ecosystems—and the services they provide human communities—has only recently been acknowledged as an important area of research. The USGS Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center held an ecological drought workshop in 2016 to better understand management challenges in a regional context. In the seven years since this regional discussion, there has been a significant amount of hydroclimatic change research, but a limited focus on ecosystem impacts, especially in the Southeast. Understanding the impacts of low-flow and drought on natural systems to inform future research needs, management practices, and adaptation planning is a critical need. The time is ripe to weave together and articulate what we have learned so far from the science community, identify if there are some commonalities across different parts of the region, and produce a scientific baseline—driven by management and planning needs—to inform future research investments.
If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact Meredith Muth (meredith.f.muth@noaa.gov) and Kasia Nikiel (cnikiel@usgs.gov).

Southern Region Extension Forestry & Natural Resources Meeting 2025
2025-02-05 08:00 - 2025-02-06 17:00 | Starkville, MS
When: Wednesday, February 5 through Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Where: Plymouth Bluff Center, near Starkville, Mississippi
Hosted by: Southern Regional Extension Forestry and Mississippi State University Extension
Registration and More Information: Available HERE
Description: This meeting is designed for Extension professionals in Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources from the 13 Southern states. It’s a great chance to connect with fellow colleagues, learn from one another, and discuss the latest trends and research in our field. Find more meeting details here: https://sref.info/meeting/info Don’t miss out on the chance to share your work and ideas!

Southern Silvicultural Research Conference
2025-03-18 08:00 - 2025-03-20 17:00 | Greenville, South Carolina
Southern Silvicultural Research Conference
When: Tuesday, March 18 through Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Where: The Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.
Hotel Reservations: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/GSPRG/G-FOST
Hosted by: Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University and USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
Abstract Submissions: Available HERE
Registration: Available HERE
Initiated in 1980, the Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference (BSSRC) provides a forum for scientists and practitioners and graduate and undergraduate students broadly engaged in forestry and southern silviculture to report their study results, present new concepts and techniques, discuss topics of mutual interest, coordinate cooperative efforts, and stay current on developments in the field. For decades, the BSSRC and its published proceedings have been invaluable sources of information on current and developing trends in southern silviculture.
While the offerings of the BSSRC are inherently related to silviculture, presentations have ranged across topics as diverse as southern pine management, hardwood management, nutritional amendments, site preparation and vegetation management, natural and artificial regeneration of tree species, intermediate treatments and stand tending, midstory competition control, modeling, growth and yield, best management practices, water quality, prescribed fire, forest health, silvicultural history, economics of forest management, and wildlife ecology as it relates to silvicultural treatments.
The BSSRC consists of two days of concurrent sessions, an evening poster session, and an optional field tour on the third day.

Southeast CASC 2025 Regional Science Symposium
2025-09-09 08:00 - 2025-09-11 17:00
When: September 9-11, 2025
Where: Asheville, North Carolina
Hosted by: Southeast CASC
More Information: Available HERE

Extension Disaster Education Network 2025 Annual Conference
2025-10-21 08:00 - 2025-10-24 17:00
Extension Disaster Education Network 2025 Annual Conference
When: October 21-24, 2025.
Where: Portland, Maine
Hosted by: Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
More Information: Available HERE

The 2025 Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Annual Conference Committee invites EDEN Points of Contact and Delegates, Cooperative Extension Professionals, Partners, and Researchers to submit an abstract to be considered for the EDEN Conference, October 21-24th in Portland, ME. Please share the call for proposals with eligible colleagues and professional groups that may be interested.

Society of American Foresters 2025 National Convention
2025-10-22 08:00 - 2025-10-25 17:00
Society of American Foresters 2025 National Convention
When: Wednesday, October 22 through Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Where: Connecticut Convention Center in downtown Hartford, Connecticut.
Hosted by: Society of American Foresters.
More information and registration: Available HERE
Join us in Hartford, Connecticut, October 22-25, for a remarkable celebration of 125 years of professional forestry in the United States during our annual conference, themed “From Roots to Canopy: 125 Years of Forestry and Natural Resources.” This event will bring together foresters, researchers, and policymakers, to reflect on the rich history of forestry, share current advancements, and look ahead to the future of sustainable forest management.

79th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA)
2025-10-26 08:00 - 2025-10-29 17:00 | Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32312, United States
79th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA)
When: October 26-29, 2025.
Where: Biloxi, Mississippi
Hosted by: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
More Information: Available HERE

The Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is a forum for the exchange of ideas and critical information regarding the management and protection of fish and wildlife resources primarily in the southeast. The conference attracts over 500 representatives from state and federal agencies, citizens’ organizations, universities, private wildlife research groups, fisheries and wildlife scientists, agency enforcement personnel, and other natural resource-related organizations.

6th Biennial Shortleaf Pine Conference
2025-11-11 08:00 - 2025-11-13 17:00
6th Biennial Shortleaf Pine Conference

When: Tuesday, November 11 through Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Where: Lake Guntersville State Park, Alabama
Hosted by: Shortleaf Pine Initiative
Conference Information: Available HERE
The Shortleaf Pine Initiative holds a biennial conference series on shortleaf pine restoration, attracting foresters, biologists, researchers, landowners, and industry partners from across the eastern US. The 6th Biennial Shortleaf Pine Conference will be held in Lake Guntersville State Park, Alabama, November 11-13, 2025.

Gopher Tortoise Council 47th Annual Meeting
2025-11-14 - 2025-11-16 | Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32312, United States
Gopher Tortoise Council 47th Annual Meeting
“Confluence of Knowledge: Charting the Future of Natural Resource Extension”
November 14-16, 2025
Tallahassee, FL
Are you a gopher tortoise or upland species biologist or conservationist? Do you manage upland habitat in the southeastern U.S.? Does your natural resource work fall within the range of gopher tortoises?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then consider joining the Gopher Tortoise Council at Tall Timbers‘ new Leigh Perkins Conservation & Education Center in Tallahassee, FL to participate in the council’s 47th annual meeting. Running from November 14th-16th, the event offers peer learning, special sessions, a keynote address, annual awards, and networking activities.
More information here.

11th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress
2025-12-02 08:00 - 2025-12-06 17:00
11th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress
When: Tuesday, December 2nd through Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Where: Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana.
Hosted by: Association for Fire Ecology.
More Information: Available HERE

The 11th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from December 2-6, 2025. This event will include workshops, field trips, and 3 full days of presentations, discussion groups, and networking opportunities.

4th International Smoke Symposium
2026-03-23 08:00 - 2026-03-27 17:00 | Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32312, United States
4th International Smoke Symposium
When: Tuesday, December 2nd through Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Where: Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, Florida
Hosted by: International Association for Wildland Fire
More information and registration.

The 4th International Smoke Symposium (ISS4) will be held at the Leigh Perkins Conservation Education Center in Tallahassee, Florida, March 23-27, 2026. ISS4 will bring together researchers from the atmospheric sciences, the ecological sciences, health sciences, mathematicians, computer sciences, climatologists, social scientists, and others to discuss the complex issues of smoke and identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for innovation and development.

Association for Natural Resources Extension Professionals Conference
2026-05-12 08:00 - 2026-05-15 17:00 | Wilmington, North Carolina, 301 North Water Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401, United States
Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals 15th Biennial Conference
“Confluence of Knowledge: Charting the Future of Natural Resource Extension”
May 12-15, 2026
Wilmington, NC
Join ANREP in Wilmington, North Carolina to learn from experts from across the nation as we explore innovative Extension educational programs in natural resources. The event offers educational sessions and tours, inspiring keynote address, annual awards and achievements, and networking and entertainment activities spread across multiple days of fellowship, fun, and growth.
This event is your chance to …

Connect with Extension professionals across multiple program areas
Expand your knowledge in Extension programming
Pursue partnerships and collaborations
Enjoy time together with hundreds of Extension professionals across the nation

More information here.

8th Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference
2026-06-02 08:00 - 2026-06-06 17:00 | Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32312, United States
8th Fire in Eastern Oak Forest Conference
When: June 2-4, 2026
Where: Monroe Convention Center, Bloomington, Indiana
Hosted by: Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium, Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists, Joint Fire Science Program, Sam Shine Foundation, Purdue University, The Indiana Prescribed Fire Council
More Information: Available HERE

The Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference is an important conference focused on fire science and management in oak forests, woodlands, and savannas where noted experts in research and management gather to present state-of-the-art information, perspectives, and syntheses on key issues. This conference will emphasize topics relevant to management of oak-dominated forests, woodlands, and savannas and will be of interest to managers, scientists, landowners, consultants, and students.
Especially tailored to land managers and applications, this conference will feature invited presentations, open poster and flash talks sessions, management focused interactive sessions, exhibits, and professional networking opportunities. The schedule will include a day of speakers and panel discussions, a field trip day, followed by a final day of speakers and special sessions. Continuing education credits will be offered through the Society of American Foresters and The Wildlife Society.
Call for research and management posters and flash talks
We anticipate inviting poster and flash-talk (5 min.) presentation submissions on any aspect of fire in eastern North American oak ecosystems. Research posters or flash talks may relate to any aspect of fire science such as fire regimes, fire effects, fuels, GIS/remote sensing, hydrology, soils, wildlife, or human dimensions. Management posters or flash talks may highlight specific fire-related projects and / or programs.
Key sponsors and supporters of this conference include:

Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium
Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists
Joint Fire Science Program
Sam Shine Foundation
Purdue University
The Indiana Prescribed Fire Council
