Overview

The Forestry Graduate Student Organization at Michigan State University will host the 11th Annual Graduate Research Symposium on Thursday, February 5, 2026. This one-day, student-led event brings together graduate students, faculty, practitioners, and policymakers from across Michigan to share current research, explore practical applications, and strengthen professional networks in forestry and allied fields.

The 2026 symposium theme, Forests as a Solution, highlights the many ways forests and forest ecosystems contribute to material innovation, climate and watershed protection, community well-being, and sustainable economies. Sessions will emphasize applied science, methods, and collaborations that help translate research into practice across Michigan’s diverse forest landscapes.

Format and Access

The symposium will be offered in a hybrid format with an in-person program on the MSU campus in East Lansing and a robust virtual option for participants across the state. Sessions will be live-streamed with moderated Q&A so remote attendees can ask questions and join the discussion in real time.

The day will include:

  • Plenary framing talk on Forests as a Solution to open the day and set shared goals.
  • Themed graduate research sessions featuring oral presentations and lightning talks.
  • Lab and project updates that offer quick windows into ongoing work.
  • Practice & policy dialogue at the end of the day, connecting research with field implementation and policy tools.
  • Informal networking with light refreshments to support conversations across institutions and sectors.

Quick Details

Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026

Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Hybrid delivery with statewide virtual access

Theme: Forests as a Solution

Audience: Graduate students, faculty, SAF members, agency and industry professionals, NGOs, and partners across Michigan.

Host: MSU Forestry Graduate Student Organization (FGSO)

Primary contact:
Parker Hopkins, MSU Forestry GSO
phopkins@msu.edu
512-743-5522

Call for Abstracts & Registration

A call for abstracts will open in December 2025, with invitations extended to graduate students and faculty at MSU and partner institutions, including Michigan Technological University, the University of Michigan, Northern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, and other forestry-adjacent programs.

Registration details and abstract submission instructions will be shared via MSU Forestry channels, SAF-Michigan communications, and partner listservs. Check back here for the link to the online registration and abstract portal.

Program Highlights

The symposium is designed to give attendees an efficient, high-quality overview of active graduate research in forestry and related fields, while creating space for deeper dialogue on application and collaboration. Anticipated components include:

  • Plenary framing: an invited address on Forests as a Solution, emphasizing how research and practice can work together to address Michigan’s forestry challenges and opportunities.
  • Graduate research sessions: themed oral and lightning talk sessions with discussants who highlight practical implications, management relevance, and opportunities for follow-up.
  • Practice & policy dialogue: a closing conversation featuring agency foresters, private consultants, tribal and industrial partners, and NGOs to surface shared challenges and co-develop next steps.
  • Networking and mentoring: time built into the schedule for students, faculty, and professionals to connect, explore potential collaborations, and discuss career pathways.

Why Attend?

The symposium advances professional development for emerging foresters and offers practitioners a focused snapshot of current research and methods. Participants can:

  • Discover new science, tools, and study systems aligned with Michigan’s forest types and ownership patterns.
  • Meet graduate students, early-career professionals, and potential collaborators from across the state.
  • Identify applied techniques and approaches that can be translated into management, outreach, and policy.
  • Help shape future symposium themes and SAF-relevant programming through feedback and discussion.

Support and Recognition

The 2026 symposium is organized by the MSU Forestry Graduate Student Organization with support from the MSU Department of Forestry and partners across campus. A request has been submitted to the Society of American Foresters – Michigan Chapter Innovation Funds to help underwrite:

  • Student presentation and keynote recognition awards.
  • Coffee and light refreshments to keep participants on site and engaged.
  • Printed programs and signage for wayfinding and sponsor visibility.
  • Hybrid delivery enhancements, including room audio and streaming supplies.

Sponsors will be acknowledged in all promotional materials, on the event website and registration page, in the printed program and opening remarks, and on signage and livestream slides.

Key Dates

  • December 2025: Call for abstracts released; statewide outreach to universities, agencies, industry, and partners.
  • Early January 2026: Program finalized; moderators and discussants confirmed; hybrid technology checks completed.
  • Thursday, February 5, 2026: Full-day symposium at MSU in East Lansing with live streaming and recorded sessions for registrants.
  • Mid-February 2026: Participant survey and a concise outcomes memo shared with sponsors and partners.

After the event, FGSO will compile attendance and representation metrics, summarize key insights, and share priority topics for future symposia and SAF-aligned events.