11 October 2014: The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) has concluded its 24th World Congress, convened under the theme, ‘Sustaining Forests, Sustaining People – the Role of Research.’ The ‘Salt Lake City Declaration’ was presented at the conclusion.

With regard to the Declaration, the Congress notes the multiple goods and services provided by forests and their role in addressing issues such as food security, income generation, and demand for renewable energy. The Congress also stresses that collaborative research and broad dissemination of results are more important than ever before. The Declaration pledges to increase research supporting integrated solutions to challenges facing forests and society.

The Congress saw keynote presentations delivered on the use of engineered wood in construction following an earthquake in New Zealand, rethinking approaches to research based on long-term studies in rain forests, and progress in the development of green infrastructure, among others. In discussions, participants identified a number of challenges to forest research including: research gaps on the costs and benefits of forest management; lack of appropriate methods to assess the value of nature; and the need to better engage youth in forest management.

High-level discussions noted the importance of forest restoration across landscapes, collaboration between public and private sectors, and the mobilization of social media and other innovative forms of communication to engage policy makers, stakeholders and the general public.

At the margins of the Congress, a number of events took place including a session organized by Bioversity International on ‘Implementing a Global Plan of Action for Forest Genetic Resources.’ A Joint Plenary was also held with the US Forest Service, the Society of American Foresters, and the Canadian Institute of Forestry. Finally, the Congress ushered in a new IUFRO President, Prof. Mike Wingfield, from the University of Pretoria.

The IUFRO World Congress convened the 5-11 October 2014 and brought together some 2,500 scientists from more than 100 countries, and 1,200 professional foresters from North America. [IUFRO Press Release on Declaration] [IUFRO World Congress Website] [IUFRO Press Release on Congress] [Bioversity International Press Release] [University of Pretoria Press Release]