Save the Date and Call for Organized Session Proposals – Now Open

We invite you to join us at the next Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Science Symposium, to be held virtually October 19-22, 2026.

Under the theme, ‘From Observation to Insight: Strengthening the Foundations of Forest Inventory Science,’ the 2026 FIA Science Symposium will explore and celebrate how collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of knowledge and data are essential to preparing our field for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The 2026 FIA Science Symposium will be hosted virtually by the US Forest Service Rocky Mountain FIA Program, the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), and the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

Call for Submissions

Important Dates

April 29, 2026 – Call for organized session proposals opens
May 25, 2026 – Call for organized session proposals close
June 12, 2026 – Call for individual abstracts opens

July 24, 2026 – Call for individual abstract proposals close

Organized Session Proposal Submissions Are Open

Submission Details

We invite organized session proposals (individual presentation abstracts will open June 12) that align with the overall theme of the symposium as well as those that specifically help advance the goals of:

  • Maximizing the value of the annual sample design both spatially and temporally;

  • Advancing the development of delivery mechanisms to meet user needs and leverage modern data visualization and communication techniques;

  • Assuring data continuity that supports a variety of land manager needs;

  • Integrating more powerful and efficient monitoring technologies and statistical techniques into established analysis workflows; and,

  • Supporting FIA’s enhancements in topic areas including forest resource use monitoring, carbon and biomass estimation, surveys of trends in woodland ownership, land cover and land use research, urban forest inventory, vegetation monitoring in Interior Alaska, and small area estimation.

Types of organized sessions we are seeking

  •  Organized Oral Sessions are 90 minutes long and consist of up to six 15-minute speaker slots (12-minute presentations with 2-3 minutes for Q&A). Maximum of six speakers, minimum of four.

  • Organized Open Sessions – To give organizers flexibility to craft a unique session that better meets their goals, we welcome ideas for organized sessions that do not conform to an organized oral session format. Potential examples include:

      • Panel Discussions

      • Various Interactive Formats (e.g., breakout groups, world cafe)

      • Speed Talks

      • Digital Demonstrations

Organized open sessions can be 60 or 90 minutes in length. If you have questions about this session type, please contact [email protected].

How to submit

Organized session submissions are now being accepted through May 25. To learn more and submit a proposal for an organized session, please visit the FIA 2026 Science Symposium Website.

For more information, please contact the event organizers at [email protected].