February’s conversation will feature three local experts:

Sharon Hood, Research Ecologist at the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Fire Sciences Laboratory

Beth Dodson, University of Montana Professor of Forest Operations

Shawn Morgan, Forester at Thompson River Lumber

The evening’s presentations and conversations will highlight the importance of ponderosa pine in our local forest landscapes and explore the ecological role of ponderosa pine, fire dynamics, management approaches, and ponderosa pine products.

The event will be held in the Balsamroot Conference Room at the Missoula Butterfly House building (GM Marks Exploration Center), located at 1075 South Avenue West, Missoula.

This event is free and open to the public, and complimentary beverages will be provided.

Looking ahead to next month, the March Forest Conversations event will take place on Wednesday, March 11 and will focus on tribal perspectives on forest management, featuring a panel of speakers from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

The Forest Conversations series is co-hosted by the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce’s Forest Resources Committee and the Missoula Conservation District and is designed to foster community dialogue around forest stewardship, science, and management in western Montana.

The Missoula Chamber of Commerce mission is to preserve and advance the quality of life in Missoula by advocating for a healthy, responsible, and diverse business environment and by providing resources that help businesses succeed. The Missoula Chamber has been serving the Missoula area since 1904 and is committed to the success of local businesses by staying abreast of relevant issues and facilitating the flow of vital information among its more than 650 members.

The Missoula Chamber’s Forest Resources Committee brings together forest resources-focused businesses, non-profits, and land management agency partners to discuss forest and natural resource management in the Missoula area. The committee coordinates an annual October Forestry Tour and a winter Forest Conversations event series. The Missoula Chamber also hosts agri-business and young professionals committees.

Contacts:

Erin Clark

(406) 763-8884, [email protected]

Co-chair, Missoula Chamber Forest Resources Committee

Bill Burdick

(406) 544-1506, [email protected]

Event organizer, Missoula Chamber Forest Resources Committee