We had a wonderful week at the University of Montana!  If you couldn't be with us, stay tuned ... we are working on a Virtual Workshop Library of presentations to share.

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• (posted October 25) The workshop closed out with a field trip to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Bison Range. Several parties attended on their own as well, and everyone reported that the experience was magical, with world-class buffalo observing opportunities.

• (posted October 24) The workshop's main program closed today with a rousing speech from public lands advocate Land Tawney.  After a quick overview of milestones in the history of US public lands/waters, Land gave excellent practical suggestions on how to really reach legislators to respond to today's attacks.  Without sugarcoating the situation we find ourselves in, he left the attendees with an unequivocal message: we will get through this.

• (posted October 22) The Tuesday and Wednesday Plenary Sessions have continued to deliver thoughtful and engaging information.  Yesterday, Nate Bellinger and Lander Busse told the story of the landmark lawsuit Held v. State of Montana, in which youth plaintiffs beat the fossil fuel lobby and their political allies to affirm the right of children in the state of Montana to a healthy environment in the face of climate change.  Today, a panel of National Parks Conservation Association associates — Ahwahnee Williams, Katie Shea, and Michael Jamison — shared powerful stories and wise advice on effective collaboration with Indigenous people.  And the Breakout Sessions are getting excellent reviews (to judge from informal feedback we're hearing).

• (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

• (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.​