Adirondack Fire Futures Symposium
July 27-29, 2026 at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York
The Adirondack Fire Futures Symposium will convene leading researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders to address the escalating wildfire risks facing Eastern forests and assess the threat to the Adirondack Region under ongoing climate and land-use change. This symposium fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the co-development of actionable strategies for mitigating fire risks, enhancing community resilience, and safeguarding the ecological integrity of this invaluable region.
The Adirondack Region, renowned for its natural beauty and ecological significance, is increasingly vulnerable to changing climate patterns, altered forest composition, invasive species, flooding, and expanding wildland-urban interfaces (WUI). This symposium is a direct response to these changes and seeks to establish a comprehensive fire network in the region. It will provide a platform to discuss cutting-edge research on fire regimes, fuel dynamics, and the socio-economic impacts of wildfires, with a focus on proactive and adaptive strategies.
We are pleased to announce the participation of the following distinguished speakers and partners:
David McWethy (Montana State University, paleoecology and disturbance ecology)
Michael Stambaugh (University of Missouri, fire history and dendrochronology)
Lizz Schuyler (Adirondack Loon Center, wildlife impacts)
Jennifer Marlon (Yale School of the Environment, climate–wildfire interactions)
Neil Gifford (Albany Pine Bush Preserve, fire-dependent ecosystem management)
Jade Haumann (SUNY ESF, Indigenous stewardship and prescribed fire)
Peter C. Mehlitz (ODIN-fire project, California)
Jenny Dissen, (Director of Corporate Relations and Partnerships at North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies)
Liz Cox, (Engagement Team, North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies)
Further speakers and partners to be announced.
The symposium will feature a dynamic program including:
Expert Panels: Discussions led by renowned researchers and practitioners.
Workshops: Hands-on sessions on topics such as fire risk assessment and community preparedness.
Breakout Sessions: Focused discussions on specific challenges and opportunities.
Scenario Planning: Collaborative development of future wildfire scenarios and response strategies.
We invite you to save the date and join us for the Adirondack Fire Futures Symposium. Further details, including a detailed agenda and registration information, will be available soon. We look forward to your participation in this important event. Please email Stephen T Casper at scasper@clarkson.edu with further questions.
