Latest news

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We're here and off to a flying start!

(posted October 21) Our opening Plenary Sessions set a great tone for our week here at the University of Montana.  Germaine White, Whisper Camel-Means, and Graham McDowell shared inspiring stories and ongoing challenges from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and the Y2Y program. Then, Ernie Gladstone of Parks Canada gave us a great overview of the incredibly broad portfolio of his agency, as well as a preview of a later session of Parks Canada's world-leading Indigenous engagement program.  It's wonderful to be on campus at the University of Montana!

 

• (posted 10/13/2025) The final workshop Program and Abstracts are now available through the button above.

• (posted 10/02/2025) The last day to Register or add a Poster was October 1.

• (posted 09/25/2025): New Program and Abstracts updates available through the button above.

• (posted August 19, 2025): All Field Trips, including the Bike and Walking tours, are now full.

• (posted August 19, 2025): We are still accepting Posters through October 1. Download Poster Specifications & Instructions

• (posted 08/19/2025) New program update available through the button above.

• (posted August 2, 2025) Registration remains open for the workshop — last day to register is October 1.

• (posted 07/26/2025) The early-registration discount deadline — August 1 — is fast approaching. Register today and save $50.

• (posted 05/15/2025) The GWS ParkForum 2025 Program is here! We have four Plenary Sessions, 45 Breakout Sessions, a three-day Poster Session, Field Trips, and Special Events waiting for you in Missoula.

• (posted 05/15/2025) Registration is now open! Space at the workshop is limited, so we suggest you register early — and if you register by August 1, you'll save $50!

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Join us at the leading interdisciplinary meeting on parks, protected/conserved areas, cultural sites, and other forms of place-based conservation

Working with the University of Montana, the George Wright Society is excited to announce GWS ParkForum 2025 — the first in a series of annual interdisciplinary workshops that will share innovations and tested solutions to the challenges facing parks, protected/conserved areas, cultural sites, and other forms of place-based conservation.

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GWS ParkForum picks up on — and re-imagines — the George Wright Society’s tradition of convening excellence going back to the first GWS Conference in 1982.

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What can you expect when you attend GWS ParkForum?

 

New approaches ...

• A format focused on delivering actionable information that you can use right away in your work/studies

• Core Workshop Sessions organized around four recurring general themes each year (click the Program button above for more info)

• Supplemental Information-Sharing Sessions derived from an open Call for Proposals

• Attendance targets that facilitate the participation of a variety of attendees and provide even better opportunities for meaningful networking

 

... and enduring GWS hallmarks

• Our interdisciplinary focus: we cover all aspects of natural and cultural heritage stewardship, and encourage you to meet and learn from people outside of your area of primary interest

• The GWS’s collegial meeting vibe: everyone welcome, all viewpoints respected, as we challenge one another to expand our horizons in a friendly, supportive atmosphere

• The opportunity for you to propose presentations on topics that interest you most

• Affinity Meetings, Special Events, Field Trips

• International scope: we advance place-based conservation around the globe

 

What will I take away?

• A better understanding of the current state of play in parks, protected/conserved areas, cultural sites, and other forms of place-based conservation

• A firmer grasp of the challenges related to climate change, nature/culture interactions, social and environmental justice, and economic values

• Actionable solutions to aspects of the above challenges

• New contacts and potential collaborations

• Renewed energy to take positive action and carry out the solutions you'll learn about

 

What else can I expect?

• Time set aside to network

• A chance to share my work with others

• Connect with colleagues old and new

• Camaraderie ... togetherness ... a positive experience!

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We aim to make the GWS ParkForum experience as affordable as we can ... and minimize our carbon footprint by being as zero-waste as possible.​