2026 American Forest Foundation National Leadership Conference
Attendees at 2025's American Forest Foundation National Leadership Conference
The American Forest Foundation’s National Leadership Conference brings together leaders, family forest landowners, and advocates from across the country for meaningful connection, learning, and collaboration. The conference is designed to empower participants to strengthen conservation impact on family forest lands, whether on their own property or through work with family forest landowners.
What’s New for 2026
For 2026, the National Leadership Conference has been redesigned to better accommodate attendees who may only be able to join for part of the event.
The conference will open on Thursday, March 19, with afternoon general sessions. Friday, March 20, will feature a full day of concurrent educational sessions across three distinct tracks (examples of available tracks and sessions below):
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Landowner Track: Topics such as Carbon Markets 101 and Invasive Species Management
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Leader Track: Creating the Conditions to Support Landowner Participation in New Market Opportunities
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Certification Track: The Future of AFF’s National Third-Party Certificate through the American Tree Farm System
Friday will conclude with a warm, casual reception that provides time for networking and connection, including with attendees joining later in the conference.
On Saturday, March 21, participants will choose between guided family forest landowner tours led by natural resource professionals or classroom-based workshop sessions.
Schedule at a Glance:
Thursday, March 19
Morning: Optional self-guided tours and time to explore Chattanooga
2–5 p.m.: Opening and General Sessions
Evening: Dinner on your own
Friday, March 20
Breakfast (included)
Concurrent sessions across three tracks
Keynote address and awards luncheon (included)
Concurrent sessions continue
Closing session
Evening: Welcome reception (included)
Saturday, March 21
Breakfast (included)
Tours and workshops with a box lunch (included)
Lodging Information
The Westin Chattanooga
801 Pine Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Room rate: $117 per night (single occupancy)
Reservation cut-off date: Wednesday, February 25
Transportation
The closest airport is Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA).
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) may offer more flight options and is approximately a two-hour drive from Chattanooga.
Please note that there is no shuttle service from CHA to the hotel. Taxi or rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft are the most direct transportation options.
Registration and Scholarships
Conference registration will open in January.
Scholarship opportunities are available for those seeking financial assistance to attend. Applicants must complete a short application by February 1. Applications will be reviewed promptly, and awarded participants will be notified so they can finalize travel plans. Funding is limited to a maximum of $1,000 and will be released after the event once participation has been confirmed.
Application Link: AFF National Leadership Conference Scholarship Application – Fill out form
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