Whitebark Trees to Sagebrush Seas

Whitebark Pine Science and Management Conference

Dillon, Montana

September 14-16, 2022

We are delighted to announce that the 2022 WPEF Science and Management Conference will be held in Dillon Montana and hosted by the Bureau of Land Management. This exciting conference is scheduled from Wednesday September 14, 2022 through Friday September 16 2022. The venue will be at the University of Montana Western campus, and we will have a slate of exciting talks that extensively cover the science and management of high-elevation, five-needle pines, especially whitebark pine.

Registration

The WPEF annual conference brings together researchers, managers, students, and enthusiasts of whitebark pine and related high-elevation, forested ecosystems in both the United States and Canada. Everyone is invited to attend. We ask that people interested in attending the conference to please register. There is no registration cost, but WPEF is suggesting a $50 donation; pay now or at the door to cover conference expenses. You will also be able to join as a WPEF member or renew your membership.

Program

Draft Program

Community Social

The extensive program starts on Wednesday with the board members of the WPEF meeting in the BLM conference room from noon until 5pm. Then that night at 7pm there will be a public talk on whitebark pine by Dr. Diana Tomback hosted by the Patagonia Outlet with refreshments. Everyone is invited to attend.

Presentations

The science and management program will be held all day on Thursday September 15 from 8am to 5pm and it will include a slate of approximately fifteen, 20 min presentations on the ecology, management, and restoration of high elevation, five needle pines but focusing on whitebark pine and limber pine. A keynote presentation will be given by a USFWS representative on the status of the listing of whitebark pine as a threatened species.

Food and Social

Lunch will be available at the college cafeteria at a cost of $8 per person. Coffee and refreshments will be provided at the mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks. After the last presentations on Thursday, WPEF will host a thrilling social event that includes a no-host bar, a Mexican-themed buffet, and a set of exciting events including a live action, silent auction and awards presentations. WPEF will cover a portion of the buffet cost, but we are suggesting a $10 donation per person to help offset this cost. Guests are welcome at the conference social, but please indicate the expected number in your party on the registration form. This post-conference get-together will go from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Mexican Buffet
Includes Mexican seasoned beef, refried beans, Spanish rice, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and onions, black olives, cheddar cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, taco sauce, tortilla and fiesta corn chips. Buffet also includes churros or your choice of dessert.

Field Trip

The annual field trip is planned for Friday, September 16th, and will visit both whitebark and limber pine forests in the surrounding area. People will gather at 8:30am in a designated parking lot at the University of Montana Western with their lunch (lunch is NOT provided). We plan to use vehicles provided by conference attendees. Hopefully we all can all fit into 6-9 vehicles to proceed to the field trip stops. At the first field trip stop, we will visit a forest where whitebark pine is invading a sagebrush grassland. At the second stop, we will visit a limber and whitebark pine stand and discuss restoration projects in the area. Attendees will be back at the parking lot by 4pm. Nothing is planned for that night.