30th Session of NAFC:: Travel, Logistics, and Session Information

CONTACT INFORMATION 

  • 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.

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:

  1. Armando Alanis – Bureau of Alternates
  2. Brad St. Clair – Forest Genetic Resources
  3. Margaret Devall — Silviculture
  4. Francisco Quiroz – posthumous Alternate
  5. Bob Jones — Alternate
  6. Glenn Mason – Commissioner
  7. Jorge Rescala – Commissioner
  8. Enrique Serrano – Forest Inventory and Monitoring as well as Climate, Atmospheric Change and Forests
  9. Joe Kapron – Forest Inventory and Monitoring
  10. Monica Lear – Insects & Diseases and Invasive Plants
  11. 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:

  1. Beth MacNeil, Canada, to be accepted by Jeff Waring, Director General of Trade, Economics and Industry Branch
  2. León Jorge Castaños Martínez, Mexico
  3. 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/