Learn & Burn at a location to be given to registered attendees. Participants will experience a day-long start to finish learning opportunity. Actively participate with ignition patterns, holding techniques, and mop up. The prescribed burn will be conducted on the first available burn window between January 12-16. Depending on weather conditions, selected participants will be given 2 days advanced notice before the program is held. Register early as space is usually limited. Lunch provided. For more information contact Bence Carter at (334) 481-2149 or bcarter@alaforestry.org.
Overview of Oak Ecology and Economics will be presented via Microsoft Teams. Oaks dominate many eastern forests and are valued for their timber, ecosystem function, and beauty. Presenters will provide an overview of oak management, ecology, distribution across the landscape, and their place in regional and local hardwood markets. For more information contact the Southern Research Station at (828) 257-4832.
Special General Election for vacant Alabama House of Representatives District 63 seat. The seat became vacant after State Representative Cynthia Almond resigned. Not sure what district you live in? Look at the Alabama State House of Representative District 63 map.
Woods in Your Backyard Series is designed specifically, but not exclusively, for small landowners. The webinars will be held each Wednesday. The series will cover topics such as forest ecology and soils, tree planting, tree identification, enhancing wildlife habitat, water management, invasive species control, and woodland management techniques. Registration required by January 9. Fee: $60. To register by phone, call 1-877-345-0691 between the hours of 7:30 AM – 4 PM CT.
Creating a Turkey Habitat & Wild Game Preparation Workshop at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 5860 Truman Aldrich Parkway, West Blocton. This workshop will cover how to create a habitat designed to attract turkeys to your property. We will also discuss how to safely prepare wild game. Fee: $10; light meal served. For more information contact Lynn Dickinson at (334) 303-8360 or rhodela@aces.edu.
Threats to Oak Ecosystems: Pests and Pathogens will be presented via Microsoft Teams. Insects and diseases that affect oak, such as spongy moths and oak wilt, present a challenge when maintaining productive oak forests. Presenters will discuss these threats and strategies for oak success. For more information contact the Southern Research Station at (828) 257-4832.
Annual Nonpoint Source Conference at the Wetumpka Civic Center in Wetumpka. The conference format consists of presentations on projects, topics, efforts associated with nonpoint source pollution and its impact on water quality. For more information contact Susan Summerlin at (334) 394-4354 or susan.summerlin@adem.alabama.gov. Editor’s Note: Nonpoint Source Water Quality Regulations have a direct affect on the management of, and income from, your land.
Understanding the Impacts of Hurricanes on Wildland and Prescribed Fire in the Southeast will be presented via Zoom. In this discussion, the panel will dive into the complex relationship between hurricanes and wildland fire. Join scientists, land managers, and fire practitioners as they share insights on how storm events affect prescribed fire planning, post-storm fire behavior, and ecosystems. For more information email Eric Evenson at nafsehelp@gmail.com.
Creating a Turkey Habitat & Wild Game Preparation Workshop at the Elmore County Extension Office, 340 Queen Ann Road, Wetumpka. This workshop will cover how to create a habitat designed to attract turkeys to your property. We will also discuss how to safely prepare wild game. For more information contact Lynn Dickinson at (334) 303-8360 or rhodela@aces.edu.
Fire Management and Silviculture in Oak Ecosystems will be presented via Microsoft Teams. Prescribed fire is a crucially important management tool for oaks. Presenters will discuss prescribed fire as well as the importance of mechanical treatments. This webinar will feature land managers and researchers. For more information contact the Southern Research Station at (828) 257-4832.
How to Turn Wildlife Habitat into Deer Jerky at Wayside Baptist Church, 21 Wayside Circle, Alexander City. Attend this program to learn how to best preserve your habitat and the bountiful harvest it provides. Dani Reams will teach you how to safely prepare & store jerky. Kyle Marable will discuss deer habitat. Fee: $5. For more information contact Kyle Marable at (334) 707-6349 or marabmk@auburn.edu.
Planning for Oak Restoration at Scale will be presented via Microsoft Teams. Oak restoration is a goal for many eastern national forests, but how do managers begin these efforts? Presenters in this session will share research-based strategies for promoting natural regeneration (with prescribed fire, harvesting, and competition control) and artificial regeneration (by planting high-quality seedlings). For more information contact the Southern Research Station at (828) 257-4832.
Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Drive, Guntersville. Watch Bald Eagles glide across the sky and view their nesting sites. Guided interpretive programs held each weekend will help you get in touch with one of America’s greatest symbols. For pricing & reservations, call Lake Guntersville State Park at (256) 571-5440.
Forest Health will be held at the Lafayette County Extension Office, 70 F.D. Buddy East Parkway. For more information or to RSVP, call (662) 234-4451.
Eagle Awareness Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Drive, Guntersville. Watch Bald Eagles glide across the sky and view their nesting sites. Guided interpretive programs held each weekend will help you get in touch with one of America’s greatest symbols. For pricing & reservations, call Lake Guntersville State Park at (256) 571-5440.
Red Hills Fire & Nature Festival at Tall Timbers, 13093 Henry Beadel Road. The Festival is free and open to the public. It’s an all-ages good time with live music, prescribed fire demonstration, live wildlife, wagon ride tours of healthy, fire-maintained forests, kids’ activities, and food vendors. Rain date is February 7. For more information contact Tall Timbers at (850) 893-4153.
Trappers Education Workshop at the Jackson County Wildlife Management Area, 234 County Road 141, Hollywood. The workshop passes on the historical aspects of trapping, biological information concerning furbearers and furbearer management, and allows students to learn the proper techniques that include the use of trapping as a sound wildlife management tool. Recommended ages 7 and up. Pre-registration is required. Fee: $20; lunch included. Contact Mike Sievering at (205) 340-1183 or mike.sievering@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Creating a Turkey Habitat & Wild Game Preparation Workshop at the Autauga County Extension Office, 2226 Alabama Highway 14, Autaugaville. This workshop will cover how to create a habitat designed to attract turkeys to your property. We will also discuss how to safely prepare wild game. For more information contact Lynn Dickinson at (334) 303-8360 or rhodela@aces.edu.
Texas Timber Tax Workshop is designed for forest landowners, consulting foresters, accountants, attorneys, and others who work with forest landowners in matters pertaining to timber taxes. February 3 will cover federal taxes only. February 4 will cover a mix. The two-day workshop will provide basic information about timber taxation and the latest changes to tax laws and rules for 2025 tax return preparations. Topics will focus on federal timber income tax issues for private forest owners with a refresher on local timberland property tax incentives. Participants will gain a clear understanding of commonly misunderstood timber tax issues. Fee: $25. For more information contact Adia Alford at (979) 458-6650 or adia.alford@tfs.tamu.edu.
Special General Election will be held for the vacant Alabama House of Representatives District 38 seat. The seat became vacant after Debbie Hamby Wood (R) resigned. Not sure what district you live in? Look at the Alabama State House of Representative District 38 map.
National Forest Management Challenges & Strategies will be presented via Zoom. Come learn more about management of national forests and the many logistical, political, and public constraints. Join to learn more about the challenges and potential strategies towards managing national forest lands. For more information contact Norm Haley at (256) 574-2143 or nvh0001@aces.edu. Editor’s Note: The national forest land of Alabama shares a border with many private forest owners. It could be beneficial to learn more about what plans your federal government landowner neighbors may have.
Trappers Education Workshop at 770 Co Rd 607, Piedmont. The workshop passes on the historical aspects of trapping, biological information concerning furbearers and furbearer management, and allows students to learn the proper techniques that include the use of trapping as a sound wildlife management tool. Recommended ages 7 and up. Pre-registration is required. Fee: $20; lunch included. Contact Mike Sievering at (205) 340-1183 or mike.sievering@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Homegrown Habitats Conservation Education Series will be held online and in multiple counties in-person. This is a 6-part series held on multiple days. Topics covered will include: an overview of conservation history in North America and Alabama; an overview of the wild turkey; learning about habitat and ecosystem fundamentals, including how to restore ecosystems for native wildlife benefit and more. For more information contact Isabelle Bracewell at (251) 605-1648 or isabelle@cahss.org.
AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
CAPITAL IDEAS — LIVE!
News Conference for Forest Owners.
This 15 minute telephone/Internet conference will feature state & national experts, researchers & authors on breaking issues, current research, can’t-miss educational events, books & publications, timber market update and more. To listen live call AFOA to register at (205) 624-2225.
Listen on the web via podcast: February 11, 2026 CI — Live! This will be a link once the program is finished and available.
Click Here for Index to Past Conferences.
AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Dinner and Discussion at a location to-be-determined. No-host dinner at 6 PM. Then listen to a 15 minute program, and talk about the issues with other forest landowners. Limited seating. To attend, RSVP AFOA at (205) 624-2225 or info@afoa.org.
Mapping With Drones: Remote Pilot Certification Preparation will be presented via Zoom. This workshop is essential for drone operators interested in Mapping with Drones, Photography/Videography with Drones, and others who are either interested in operating a drone or managers who need to learn more about the regulatory environment. No prior ‘drone’ operation or mapping experience is necessary. This workshop prepares individuals to take the FAA’s Remote Pilot Exam (aka Part 107). Registration closes about one month prior to the workshop. Fee: $350. For more information contact Virginia Tech’s John McGee at jmcg@vt.edu.
Trappers Education Workshop at the State Lands Division Cattle Ranch, 1132 County Road 73, Greensboro. The workshop passes on the historical aspects of trapping, biological information concerning furbearers and furbearer management, and allows students to learn the proper techniques that include the use of trapping as a sound wildlife management tool. Recommended ages 7 and up. Pre-registration is required. Fee: $20; lunch included. Contact Mike Sievering at (205) 340-1183 or mike.sievering@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Trappers Education Workshop at the Spanish Fort (District V) Office, 30571 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort. The workshop passes on the historical aspects of trapping, biological information concerning furbearers and furbearer management, and allows students to learn the proper techniques that include the use of trapping as a sound wildlife management tool. Recommended ages 7 and up. Pre-registration is required. Fee: $20; lunch included. Contact Mike Sievering at (205) 340-1183 or mike.sievering@dcnr.alabama.gov.
Alabama Forestry Commission 2026 Forest Health Outlook will be presented via Zoom. Attend this webinar to learn more about the status of Alabama’s forest health including pests and diseases that impact the state’s forest resources. For more information contact Norm Haley at (256) 630-4248 or nvh0001@aces.edu.
Chainsaw Safety Course at the Phenix Youth Center, 1601 5th Street South, Phenix City. This is a 2-day course. Day one is limited to 50 people for the classroom session and day two entry is by request only. Attendees must register with Jessica and confirm the space. Must be 18+yrs to register. For more information contact Jessica Baldwin at (334) 752-1194 or jmb0276@auburn.edu.
Wild Game Cook-Off at George Franks Field at Demopolis City Landing, 850 North Main Avenue, Demopolis. Attend the cook-off and enjoy live music, door prizes, youth activities, and sample wild game recipes. Fee: $50; includes two adults. Youth under 15 free. Call the Alabama Wildlife Federation at (334) 285-4550.
Chainsaw Safety Course at the Talladega County Extension Office, 132 Court Street North, Talladega. This is a 2-day course. Day one is limited to 50 people for the classroom session and day two entry is by request only. Attendees must register with Jessica and confirm the space. Must be 18+yrs to register. For more information contact Jessica Baldwin at (334) 752-1194 or jmb0276@auburn.edu.
Reframing the Ecology of Fire in Eastern U.S. Old Growth Forest Ecosystems will be presented via Zoom. Panelists will critically examine the role of fire – past, present, and future – in shaping eastern United States mature and old-growth forest ecosystems. For more information email Eric Evenson at nafsehelp@gmail.com.
Emmett & ViAnn Thompson Lecture in Forest Economics and Policy at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center, 241 South College Street, Auburn. Title of this year’s lecture: “It Pays to Be Different: The History of One of America’s Most Enduring Forest Products Family Firms.” This annual lecture series was established by the College of Forestry, Wildlife & Environment’s founding dean, Emmett F. Thompson. Speaker: Cade Warner, The Westervelt Company. RSVP to Marc Walley at mwalley@forestinvest.com. Editor’s Note: Emmett Thompson served on AFOA’s board of directors for several years.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at the Clay County Extension Office, 93 County Road 31, Ashland. Stop by the Clay County Extension Office to meet agents, community partners, & pick up a few seedling trees to plant in celebration of Arbor Day! For more information contact Melissa Willis at (256) 354-5976 or mcw0061@auburn.edu.
Wild Game Cook-Off at Talladega Superspeedway, 3366 Speedway Boulevard, Lincoln. Attend the cook-off and enjoy live music, door prizes, youth activities, and sample wild game recipes. Fee: $50; includes two adults. Youth under 15 free. For more information call the Alabama Wildlife Federation at (334) 285-4550.
Wild Game Cook-Off at The Plant, 308 N. St. Andrews Street, Dothan. Attend the cook-off and enjoy live music, door prizes, youth activities, and sample wild game recipes. Fee: $50; includes two adults. Youth under 15 free. For more information call the Alabama Wildlife Federation at (334) 285-4550.
Forest Health Workshop at Bevill Community College, 805 14th Street East, Wade Building, Mathews Lecture Hall (Rm 105), Jasper. We will discuss important forest pests and diseases affecting the southeast. You’ll learn how to identify early warning signs, implement science-based management strategies, and make informed decisions for long-term forest health. Fee: $20. For more information contact Katherine Terry-Warner at (256) 871-0133 or klt0072@auburn.edu.
Mapping With Drones: Remote Pilot Certification Preparation will be presented via Zoom. This workshop is essential for drone operators interested in Mapping with Drones, Photography/Videography with Drones, and others who are either interested in operating a drone or managers who need to learn more about the regulatory environment. No prior ‘drone’ operation or mapping experience is necessary. This workshop prepares individuals to take the FAA’s Remote Pilot Exam (aka Part 107). Registration closes about one month prior to the workshop. Fee: $350. For more information contact Virginia Tech’s John McGee at jmcg@vt.edu.
Continued Post-Hurricane Forest Management will be presented via Zoom webinar. Topics will cover decisions landowners will face and forest insects, diseases, and invasive plant issues after a hurricane. For more information contact David Clabo at (229) 386-3672 or david.clabo@uga.edu.
Applied Forest Finance class details the step-by-step financial analysis required to answer key investment and forest management questions. Learn how to identify, value, and rank timber and forestry investments. Fee: $600; $75 discount if paid in advance. CE hours available. For more information contact Heather Clark at (770) 725-8447 or hsclark@forisk.com.
Pine Straw Production – Stand Management and Economics at the Tift County Extension Office, Conference Room, 1468 Carpenter Road South. This course will enable a forest landowner or land manager to be able to make effective silvicultural and economical management decisions on managing slash and longleaf pine stands for straw. Speakers: Dr. David Dickens and Dr. David Clabo, University of Georgia. Fee: $350; $50 discount if paid by March 25. For more information contact James Johnson at (706) 308-6396 or james.johnson26@uga.edu.
2026 AFOA Annual Meeting headquartered at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National, 3700 Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika, AL 36801. Reserve Your Room: Click Here to book your room in the AFOA room block and to receive our group rate. Or call Marriott Central Reservations at (800) 593-6456. The AFOA Group Code is FOAFOAA. The last day to book and receive our group rate is March 23, 2026. Book Now!
Overview: The Regular Attendee Registration Form (just below) will contain the most up-to-date details.
REGISTRATION:
Regular Attendees: Registration Form – Not available yet
Exhibitors and/or Sponsors: Registration Form – Not available yet