By Emily Steele
The Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference, one of the largest gatherings for forest landowners in the Midwest, returns this spring. For more than 25 years, the conference has provided resources to forest landowners in the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin area to better manage their woodlands.
The 2026 conference will be March 7 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa, and is co-hosted by the Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois Extension Services. The Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference is designed to assist Midwestern forest landowners; forestry professionals, consultants, volunteers, Master Naturalists, and students are all encouraged to attend.
This year’s conference includes Basics of Forestry sessions for landowners just getting started in forest management, as well as for anyone looking for a refresher. Topics include tree identification, forest stewardship plans, invasive plant identification, and forest measurements. Other presentation topics include wildlife, invasive species control, timber markets, prescribed fire, maple syrup, carbon markets, and more. The keynote speaker, Miranda Curzon, an Iowa State University assistant professor, will discuss managing for uncertainty and adaptation silviculture in driftless region forests. The day will conclude with a panel discussion featuring non-profit organizations from the region on working with private landowners on forestry projects.
The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with check-in at 8 a.m., at the Grand River Convention Center, 500 Bell St., Dubuque, IA. Find the full schedule and sign up online at go.illinois.edu/TriStateForestry or call the Jo Daviess County Extension Office at (815) 858-2273. Registration includes lunch. The early-bird price is $55 on or before Feb. 21 and $65 after.
Source : illinois.edu