Mattawa, ON – January 28, 2025 – The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC) is excited to announce that the 2026 National Conference and 118th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place in Calgary, Alberta, from October 5-8, 2026. This landmark event, hosted in collaboration with the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the CIF-IFC Rocky Mountain Section, will unite forestry professionals, practitioners, and students from across North America and beyond under the theme, “Leading from where we are for a brighter future.” The event will showcase the leaders of today and empower the leaders of tomorrow to begin acting now to make the world they want to see.

With a combined 244 years of excellence, the CIF-IFC and SAF continue to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to healthy forests through leadership in the forest sector. The Conference will serve as a platform to address pressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable forestry and natural resources management while highlighting innovative approaches to ensure a vibrant and resilient future for forests globally.

“The CIF-IFC National Conference and AGM is an unparalleled opportunity to bring together forestry practitioners from across North America and beyond,” said Mark Pearson, Executive Director of the CIF-IFC. “With an exciting program, engaging field tours, and networking events, we’re thrilled to build on our legacy and host this once-in-a-decade event in Calgary, Alberta in 2026.”

Delegates will have the opportunity to personally engage at Calgary TELUS Convention Centre in dynamic workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and field tours showcasing the diverse and unique forest landscapes of Alberta.

“Roughly every 10 years, SAF and CIF hold a joint meeting to create space for our professionals in North America to come together, learn from each other, and sustain our forests across borders,” said Terry Baker, CEO of SAF. “We are grateful for our CIF partners to host us in Calgary in 2026!”

The CIF-IFC and SAF invite all forestry professionals, students, and stakeholders to join in this milestone event, which promises to be a transformative week of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

About CIF-IFC
The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC), established in 1908 is a non-profit organization that serves as the national voice of forest practitioners, providing a united scientific and peer reviewed perspective on issues facing the forest sector. This unique mandate draws forest practitioners from government, industry, academia, Indigenous and environmental organizations, together in a way that provides thought leadership on these issues as well as creates cutting-edge networking opportunities helping to sustain our forests through outreach and education, knowledge mobilization and competency training, and flagship programs and initiatives.

About SAF
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing over 9,000 forestry and natural resources professionals across the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, SAF promotes science-based, sustainable management and stewardship of the nation’s public and private forests. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SAF members include forestry and natural resources professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, NGOs, consulting foresters, educators, and students.