Earlier this year, Society of American Foresters commented on the USDA Forest Service’s notice of intent (NOI) addressing a proposed amendment to all land management plans for units of the National Forest System (NFS), to provide “consistent direction to conserve and steward existing and recruit future old-growth forest conditions and to monitor their condition across planning areas of the National Forest System.” 

In this ongoing effort, SAF convened the "The Mature and Old Growth Science Summit" in March 2024. From the event, panel discussions were recorded and are now being offered as an educational resource, completely free. The presentations and discussions were curated to explore the state of MOG science, ethics, and policy, as well as to advance constructive dialogue on conservation opportunities for these important resources. The Summit brought together over 200 diverse stakeholders from a range of perspectives and sectors to discuss our best strategies for fostering resilient ecosystems in the face of a changing climate.

“The MOG Summit was a keystone opportunity for practitioners, environmental, industry, academic, and indigenous groups to listen and share what needed to be heard,” according to Quinn Kawamoto, SAF Young Professional Representative of the Board of Directors. “How we proceed going forward will not only affect right now, but several generations to come. Regardless of our background, common goals are imperative if we are going to move forward, the time to act is today and (MOG) Summit signaled a call to action.”

With the release of Executive Order (EO) 14072 on April 22, 2022, the Biden Administration placed the health and sustainability of the nation’s forests at the center of its agenda. The EO calls particular attention to the importance of conserving mature and old-growth (MOG) forests on federal lands because of the diverse suite of benefits they provide, from biodiversity and carbon storage to recreational and cultural values. The USDA Forest Service and the DOI's Bureau of Land Management have since been developing the Mature and Old Growth Initiative, which is a national-scale effort to define, inventory, and build a strategy to conserve MOG forests on federal lands.

“There's long held disagreement on our nation's Mature and Old Growth Forests (MOG). The Society of American Foresters was inspired to host the Mature and Old Growth by the climate enhanced issues threatening the health and sustainability of our forests,” said CEO Terry Baker. “Our ability to find common ground, mutual respect, and a little understanding creates the foundation of our forests today and tomorrow.”

On Thursday, June 20th, ForestEd releases a five-part package of on-demand content captured from the Mature and Old Growth Science Summit in DC. The recorded technical sessions have CFEs attached in pursuit of furthering your professional goals. It will take all of our efforts to affect lasting change, so please take these resources as your invitation to be a part of durable solutions.

SAF has been engaged in the MOG Initiative from the start, working to advance science-based solutions that represent our professional standards. If you’re interested, consider looking at previous public comments and advocacy efforts that SAF has published on the topic.

“The ongoing effort to conserve mature and old-growth forests is set within a larger paradigm shift for our public lands,” said Tony Mazza, SAF Interim Director of Policy & Public Affairs. “Looking forward, we know our forests are changing; existing threats like wildfire, pests, and disease are being compounded by the effects of climate change. The Mature and Old Growth Summit was an opportunity to work through longstanding debates, rethink how we relate to our forests, and discuss strategies for long-term conservation. These presentations showcase an important step in building the relationships and scientific foundations we need to be better stewards in an uncertain time.”

Explore the program on ForestEd.