Join Tree Pittsburgh for a symposium on the future of conifers in our region.  

Climate change is impacting trees and forests around the globe. In southwest Pennsylvania, experience and evidence from arborists, ecologists, and landscape practitioners suggest that conifers may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  

Coniferous trees provide year-round benefits in the urban forest, from screening and wind protection to pollution and stormwater control. In our region, they play a critical role in protecting watersheds and maintaining cold-water fisheries. If we want our future forests to retain these functions, and the many more conifers perform, we need to take action now.

Regional experts will come together to share the state of our conifer species, threat predictions for our projected climate scenarios, and recommendations on nurturing the next generation of conifers, including seed sourcing and species selection. See the agenda here.

The symposium will help to inform a climate adaptation plan focused on conifer retention for Allegheny County - a larger effort made possible through the generous support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation. 

Who should attend? Conservation organizations, land trusts, municipal parks and forestry staff, and other partners in tree planting and tree care; tree growers and retailers; tree care professionals; arboretums/botanical gardens; students and educators; and/or tree enthusiasts. 

Registration includes:

- Light breakfast and lunch at our symposium venue, Teamsters Hall

- Refreshments and nursery tour at an evening reception from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Tree Pittsburgh’s campus (32 62nd St, Pittsburgh PA 15201)

Questions? Please contact us at info@treepittsburgh.org.

Attendees of the Confier Symposium will earn 6.5 ISA CEUs.