2025 Northeastern Old Growth Conference

Wildlands and Old-Growth Forests: A Vision for the Future

northeastern old growth conference 2025 logo

Wildlands and Old-Growth Forests: A Vision for the Future
September 17-20, 2025
In-person and Virtual
Middlebury College Bread Loaf Campus
Ripton, Vermont

Register now!

Call for posters is open until August 15

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The mission of the Northeastern Old Growth Conference is to foster a unified vision for the conservation of old-growth forests through knowledge-sharing, conversation, and in-the-woods experience.

Welcome to the Northeastern Old Growth Conference! We are looking forward to joining together with all who love old-growth forests and want to learn about their value, their ecology, and their conservation. We look forward to seeing you in person at Middlebury’s beautiful Bread Loaf Campus in Ripton, Vermont, or online, where talks will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing after the conference.

The Northeastern Old Growth Conference brings together researchers, conservationists, planners, policy makers, health professionals, and lovers of wild nature to share their knowledge and perspectives on old-growth ecosystems.

This year’s conference, Wildlands and Old-Growth Forests: A Vision for the Future, reflects the urgency of protecting wildlands and old-growth ecosystems for their critical contributions to biodiversity, climate resilience, and human well-being.

Conference Themes

  • The Future of Old Growth in the Northeast
  • Healthy Forests, Healthy People
  • Old Growth Ecology

Keynote Speakers

  • Jerry Franklin
  • Tom Spies
  • Lynda Mapes
  • Bob Leverett

We’re putting together a rich conference program featuring presentations, interactive conversations, and field trips led by a diverse range of voices from the Northeast and beyond.

Be sure to register today as spots are limited. We also have many great sponsorship opportunities available.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Liz Thompson, Conference Coordinator, oldgrowth2025@gmail.com
Marc Lapin, Middlebury College, host
Ali Kosiba, University of Vermont Extension, host


Conference Hosts

Hosted by Middlebury College and University of Vermont Extension

UVM Extension and Middlebury College logos, side by side

Important Dates

  • August 15, 2025 - Call for Posters Ends
  • August 20, 2025 - Conference Schedule Finalized
  • August 22, 2025 - Posters Chosen and Presenters notified
  • September 1, 2025 - Regular Rate for Conference Registration Ends; Registration Refund Period Closes
  • September 17-20, 2025 - Conference!

Conference Organizers

Middlebury college logo
logo: wildlands woodlands farmlands & communities
logo: old-growth forest network
logo: birchwalking, nature connected wellness
logo: northeast wilderness trust
logo: harvard forest
logo: uvm extension
logo: forests, parks & recreation vermont
Vermont fish & wildlife logo

This conference wouldn't be possible without the support of our generous sponsors.