This Year's Conference
Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation members can access the conference livestream at the link on the Member Web Page.
2024 Whitebark Pine Science and Management Conference and Workshops
General Schedule
- Dates:
- Wednesday-Friday, October 9-11, 2024 (UPDATED)
- Venue:
- Conference at Churchill School in Baker City, Oregon.
- Field Trip at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.
The annual conference brings together researchers, managers, students, and enthusiasts of whitebark pine and other high-elevation, five-needle pine ecosystems in the Western United States and Canada. Everyone is invited to attend. If you are a non-member, one-year membership is included with your registration fee.
Tentative Schedule
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
- Monitoring and Project Planning Workshops (descriptions below)
- Evening Public Presentation
Thursday, October 10, 2024
- Conference Presentations
- Conference Social and Silent Auction
Friday, October 11, 2024
- Field Trip to Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
- WPEF Annual Members Meeting
- WPEF Board of Directors Meeting
Workshop Descriptions (Wed., 12-5:30pm)
Whitebark Pine Restoration Treatments Workshop – Mike Giesey, Melissa Jenkins, Glenda Scott (FS silviculturists (retired))
This 2-hour workshop will provide an overview of methods for implementation of stand level whitebark pine restoration treatments. Treatments to be covered include site preparation, planting, direct seeding, cone collection, improving genetic diversity and rust resistance, thinning and release, and protection of investments/high value stand components. We will also review costs, and provide resources available to government, tribal and other land managers for associated activities (i.e., processing cones, growing seedlings, verbenone purchase). While the level of detail provided will be limited due to the inclusivity of the topic, we will cover the basics for each treatment and participants will receive the foundational information they need to be successful. We also expect this workshop will foster discussion and questions which may give rise to future more focused workshops.
Whitebark Pine Monitoring Workshop (Cara Nelson & Erin Shanahan)
Full description coming soon. Workshop will include discussion of both treatment effectiveness monitoring and long-term health monitoring.
Accommodations and Activities
Room Block
- The conference committee has reserved a room block of 40 rooms at the Best Western Sunridge Inn & Conference Center. These rooms are available at the government rate of $110 per night.
- Link to Best Western Whitebark Pine Group Room Block (This link should be working again as of 9/25/24. Thanks for your patience!)
Conference Venue Hostel and Rooms
- The Churchill School, where the conference will be held, has a hostel with 4 beds available on site through AirBnB. The hostel rooms contain bunkbeds for 4 people and are available starting at $35 a night
- The Churchill School also has 2 apartments available for rent at $95 or $130/night.
Other Great Accommodation Options
La Dolce Vita Properties is a property rental company that rents accomodations ranging from small studios up to large houses for groups. They have several properties available during our conference and are very easy to work with. They are happy to split the cost of a large house between multiple credit cards to keep costs at the government rate (e.g. charge $100 each to 4 separate credit cards for a $400 charge). You can contact Blake Stone at 541-519-1648 to reserve a room using this method.
- La Dolce Vita properties currently available in Baker City, OR from Oct. 8-Oct 12. Contact Blake Stone to reserve and use code PINE for a 5% discount. Please mention that your card should not be charged until check in.
Campgrounds
- Unfortunately, all USFS campgrounds near Baker City appear to close the first week of October. If you plan to arrive earlier, there is camping at Anthony Lake and Union Creek Campground – Rogue River through recreation.gov.
- The closest State Park campground appears to be Unity Lake State Recreation Site, which is approximately 35 miles from Baker City.
- There is a Bureau of Reclamation campground at Phillips Lake Reservoir, 15 miles southwest of Baker City. There is campground information on Recreation.gov, but reservations are not available through the website. You can contact the Baker Valley Irrigation District for information at 541-523-5451.
- There are several private campgrounds in or near Baker City. Mt View RV has good reviews on Trip Advisors.
Other Activities in and around Baker City, Oregon
