CONTACT INFORMATION
- Planning Team
- Liz Mayhew – 202-294-9685 – liz.mayhew@usda.gov
- Liza Paqueo – 202-617-8515 – liza.paqueo@usda.gov
- Brianne Harrison – 202-290-6986 – brianne.harrison@usda.gov
- Chris Soriano – 202-378-3493 – christopher.soriano@usda.gov
- Jennifer Conje – 202-468-6570 – jennifer.conje@usda.gov
- Hotels
- Doubletree Hotel, Missoula — 100 Madison St, Missoula, MT 59802; Phone: +1 (406) 728-3100
- Red Lion, Kalispell — 20 S Main St Ste 150, Kalispell, MT 59901; Phone: +1 (406) 751-5050
- Forest Service Travel – BCD :: 1-800-877-6120
WHAT TO PACK AND WEAR
In the spirit of collegiality, we recommend that participants bring business casual clothing for the sessions and comfortable casual clothing for field trips.
- Business casual attire (no suits, blazers, ties are required)
- Light to medium weather resistant jacket
- Hat or Cap
- Sunglasses
- Medication
- Toiletries
- Comfortable shoes
- Fitness gear
- Travel documents
- Cell phone and charger
- Laptop/Tablet and charger
- Cowboy
boots/Hiking boots
WEATHER
The daily
temperatures in Missoula, Montana, range from an average high of 79°F (26°C) to
a low of 40°F (4°C). The chance of rain
in Missoula is about 20% in early September.
In Kalispell, the temperatures are slightly cooler with more chances of
rain.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Upon check-in, we kindly ask you to provide the front desk with your ID as well as your own travel card for room charges and rates.
Missoula — Check in at DoubleTree Hilton Missoula
Address:
100 Madison St, Missoula, MT 59802; Phone: +1
(406) 728-3100
Group Name: United States Forest Service
Daily Rates (not inclusive of tax and fees) :: $95 USD
Click here to view a list
of the confirmation numbers. Please let us know if the check-in and
check-out dates are incorrect.
The hotel has complimentary in-room wifi, a pool, fitness center and a restaurant. Breakfast is NOT included.
Click
here to read more about the hotel and its amenities.
Kalispell —
Hotel: Red Lion Kalispell
Address: 20
S Main St Ste 150, Kalispell, MT 59901; Phone: +1
(406) 751-5050
Group Name: US Forest Service International
Programs
Daily Rates (not inclusive of tax and fees) :: $89 USD
The hotel has complimentary in-room wifi, indoor pool, fitness center and a restaurant. Breakfast is NOT included.
Click here to read more about the hotel and its amenities.
GETTING AROUND MISSOULA
Airport Transfers
The DoubleTree Hotel has a free shuttle to and from the airport. Please call +1 (406) 728-3100 to make arrangements for transfers. Some of you will not be traveling to Kalispell, Montana, after the field trip on Thursday, September 12. We have made arrangements for a transfer from Seely Lake to Missoula. Please contact Brianne Harrison (brianne.harrison@usda.gov) for more detailed information[PLV-1] .
Transfers to and from the University of Montana
The University is approximately a 10-minute safe walk from the Doubletree hotel; however, transfers will be provided to and from the hotel.
Around Missoula
You can find ride hailing services, such as Uber or Lyft, in Missoula. You can also arrange for a taxi. The downtown area of Missoula is a 15-minute walk from the hotel.M
Missoula Green Taxi :: +1-406-728-8294; www.missoulagreentaxi.com
Yellow Cab Missoula ::
+1-406-543-6644;
www.yellowcabmissoula.com Y
GOING GREEN
In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, we would like to minimize the printing of documents. All documents relevant to this meeting can be found on the UN Food and Agriculture website at: http://www.fao.org/forestry/31920/en/
In addition, water in Montana is safe
to drink. We recommend that you use a reusable water bottle.
CONFERENCE SESSION INFORMATION
Please visit
the Agenda and Timetable tab for more detailed information on the session[PLV-2] .
Meeting Location:
The 30th Session of the
North American Forest Commission will take place on Tuesday, September 10, and
the morning of Wednesday, September 11, at the University of Montana’s
University Center’s Room 222. The Urban
Forest Programs Working Group will hold their meetings starting on Monday,
September 9, in Room 329 at the University Center.
[Note:
The
University is approximately a 10-minute safe walk from the Doubletree hotel;
however, transfers will be provided to and from the hotel as well.]
Languages:
The working
language for this session of the Commission shall be English; however,
documentation is provided in English and Spanish. Simultaneous interpretation
Spanish – English and English – Spanish will be provided by the host country,
as needed.
Lunches
and Receptions
- Coffee and tea service,
beverages and light snacks will be provided during the Tuesday and Wednesday
sessions.
- The US Forest Service will host
the following lunches:
- Monday, September 9 at 2pm at the University of Montana’s University Center Room 329.
- Tuesday, September 10, in the foyer outside the meeting room of Room 222.
- Wednesday, September 11, a bag lunch will be provided prior to the afternoon field visit.
- Thursday, September 14, lunch will be provided at the Rich Ranch in Seely Lake, Montana.
- Friday, September 15, lunch will be provided at Glacier National Park.
- Here is more information on evening
events
- On Monday, September 9,
retired and former Chief of the US
Forest Service, Dale Bosworth, will host the Commissioners and the
Bureau of Alternates at his home in Missoula for a Meet and Greet dinner. Vehicles will be provided to transfer guests.
- On Tuesday, September 10,
the UN Food and Agriculture Organization will host an evening reception
with light supper and refreshments at the University of Montana’s Payne Center
immediately following the session’s adjournment. Invitation and details to
follow. The Payne Center is a 5-minute walk from the University Center. There will be a ceremony to recognize individuals
who have contributed greatly to the mission of the North American Forest Commission.
- On Wednesday, September 11,
the US Forest Service will host an evening reception at the Nine Mile
Ranger District where there will be dinner, refreshments, gift exchange and
musical entertainment. Invitation and
details to follow. Transportation to and
from the Nine Mile will be provided.
- On Monday, September 9,
retired and former Chief of the US
Forest Service, Dale Bosworth, will host the Commissioners and the
Bureau of Alternates at his home in Missoula for a Meet and Greet dinner. Vehicles will be provided to transfer guests.
Awards
On behalf of the North American Forest
Commission, awards will be given for outstanding and longstanding contributions
to advancing sustainable forest management in North American to the following:
- Armando Alanis – Bureau of Alternates
- Brad St. Clair – Forest Genetic Resources
- Margaret Devall — Silviculture
- Francisco Quiroz – posthumous Alternate
- Bob Jones — Alternate
- Glenn Mason – Commissioner
- Jorge Rescala – Commissioner
- Enrique Serrano – Forest Inventory and Monitoring as well as Climate, Atmospheric Change and Forests
- Joe Kapron – Forest Inventory and Monitoring
- Monica Lear – Insects & Diseases and Invasive Plants
- Eva Muller – retired UN FAO
Gift Exchange
It is a longstanding tradition for the Commissioners to exchange gifts with each other. Smokey Bear Pendleton Blankets will be given to the following:
- Beth MacNeil, Canada, to be accepted by Jeff Waring, Director General of Trade, Economics and Industry Branch
- León Jorge Castaños Martínez, Mexico
- Hiroto
Mitsugi, UN FAO
FIELD SESSIONS
Please see attached more detailed information on the field trip.
Clothing
For the field trip, warm and layered
clothes are recommended. This could include a sweater, jacket, long pants, hat
and sneakers or shoes suitable for walking. A cap or hat, sunscreen, and insect
repellent may also prove useful.
Weather resistant light jackets are also recommended.
Transportation
Bus transportation will be provided.
Lunches and Dinners
After the visit
to the Fire Lab and Smokejumper Base, on Wednesday, September 11,
the US Forest Service will host an evening reception at the Nine Mile Ranger
District where there will be dinner, refreshments, gift exchange and musical
entertainmentTransportation to and from the Nine Mile will be provided.
On Thursday, September 12, lunch will be
provided at Rich Ranch at Seely Lake.
Dinner in Kalispell will not be provided.
On Friday, September 13, a picnic lunch will be provided at a site (TBD) within Glacier National Park. Dinner in Kalispell will not be provided.
OTHER LOGISTICS
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The currency in the United States is the dollar. Credit and debit cards may be used all around Missoula, Montana. ATMs are available in the hotel and at the University of Montana, where the meetings will take place as well as at ATM machines around town.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity in the United States is 110-120V.
GRATUITIES
It is customary to give a gratuity (tip) at restaurants (15-20%), bars, taxis and any hotel staff member that helps with luggage.
WEBSITES & DOCUMENTATION
Session documents will be available to all governments and organizations invited, before the start of the event, at the following webpage: http://www.fao.org/forestry/31920/en/
For more information on the North American Forest Commission, please visit: http://www.northamericanforestcommission.org/