2012 Society of American Foresters National Convention

Welcome to Spokane, Washington's second largest city. This city is a gold mine of natural resources and a perfect setting for the 2012 SAF National Convention. It embodies why we participate in the Society of American Foresters and strive to steward our nation's forests.

We're just 80 miles away from Wallace, Idaho, where the catastrophic wildfire of 1910 occurred - which shaped US Forest Service policy, and continues to affect us more than 100 years later. Our keynote speaker, Stephen Pyne from Arizona State University, will speak to the legacy of the 1910 burn and kick off our theme focusing on resilient forests and communities.

This year's scientific and technical program brings the pieces of forest management into focus. Sessions will focus on ecological resilience, the role of forest management in sustaining forests, and the role of communities and collaborations in resilient forests.

We'll learn from our peers during lunch poster sessions and honor them during our national award program. An evening alumni reception will break the ice on Thursday and allow people to reconnect during the remainder of the meeting.

While we're confident you will find the activities of the 2012 Convention hugely rewarding, we hope you enjoy the many recreational, historical, and cultural opportunities of this city and surrounding environments. Start at the Convention Center that sits on the banks of the Spokane River and affords beautiful views of the 100-acre Riverfront Park and direct access to the Centennial Trail.

Riverfront Park: Centered on the Great Northern Clocktower in the heart of Downtown Spokane, the naturally beautiful Riverfront Park is an urban haven of lush green meadows, hiking trails, rock formations, and pathways and bridges for relaxing and exploring the banks of the cascading Spokane River. Visit http://spokaneriverfrontpark.com/ to learn more.

INB Performing Arts Center: This elegant 2,700-seat venue presents blockbuster concerts, theater productions, ballet, dance, grand opera, road shows, musical stage productions, comedians, conventions, lectures, the Spokane Symphony and the Best of Broadway series, featuring award-winning shows like The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera. For upcoming events and shows, visit www.inbpac.com.

Davenport Arts District: This vibrant arts and entertainment area showcases Spokane's rich architectural and artistic legacy. Spokane's cultural core in the heart of downtown, the Davenport District boasts outstanding art galleries, restaurants, shopping, nightclubs, cafes, and venues for live theater, music, art exhibits, and performances. Highlights include the beautifully restored Fox Theatre, home of the Spokane Symphony, Bing Crosby Theater, and the Knitting Factory. Visit www.davenportdistrict.com.

Finally, the mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Inland Empire form a fabulous landscape to explore in all directions from Spokane. To the north, you have beautiful British Columbia, to the east, western Montana and the Rocky Mountains. If you travel south, you can explore the Palouse Prairie, Snake and Salmon Rivers, and of course, to the west, in Washington and Oregon, are the beautiful Cascade Mountains. In any direction, a 2-4 hour drive will transport you to beautiful landscapes that rival any in the world. Welcome to Spokane!