May 6-8 2026 Bend, Oregon

General Registration
General Registration

See below for Sponsorship Opportunities

Event Locations

May 6-7 Worthy Brewing 495 NE Bellevue Dr, Bend, OR 97701

May 8 Field Site Visit Location TBD

Lodging Options

1) Sleep Inn Crossroads Plaza

Event Room Block Booking LinkValid through April 22, 2026

2) Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

Event Room Block Booking LinkValid through April 21, 2026

3) Home2Suites by Hilton

Event Room Block Booking LinkValid through April 19, 2026

The inaugural Western Cone & Seed Summit occurring May 6-8, 2026 in Bend, Oregon will gather practitioners spanning academia, private industry, tribal nations, non-profits, and public agencies to contribute their knowledge and collaborate on ideas in scaling tree seed supply. Please join us in addressing the complex sourcing and supply chain of native tree seed, primarily conifers, for reforestation in Western North America.
The Western Cone & Seed Summit (WCSS) centers actionable solutions while being amenable to future integration of other seed procurement in parallel to the ultimate goal of scaling tree seed supply. For many of us involved in tree seed procurement, we are well aware of the problems and barriers to scale. WCSS will be focused on building coalitions, sharing active solutions, and connecting marketplaces for sustained cashflow that can weather the variability of seed production years across geographies. This event will also define the true cost of seed- highlighting many of the unrealized investments required to have a sustainable and resilient supply chain. This includes how the supply chain can be funded through diversification in the seed marketplace, and relinquish its dependence on ephemeral funding cycles. . 

Tentative Agenda*

Wednesday May 6th, 2026

Theme: Research Tech & Genetics 

Seed Planning for our Future Climate presented by April Meeks, Washington Department of Natural Resources 
Tissue Culture to Overcome Seed Shortages presented by Della Fetzer, Rebel Cultures
Unlocking new efficiencies in Tissue Culture Propagation presented by Ashley Beckwith PhD, Foray Bioscience

Seed Science Panel

Theme: Seed Supply Solutions in Action

CAL-FIRE's Reforestation Services Program presented by Erika Teach & Spencer Lachman, CAL FIRE
An Update from the US Forest Service presented by Kayla Herriman, USFS Bend Seed Extractory 
Processing Improvements & Capacity Upgrades presented by Kea Woodruff, Silvaseed Company & Cal Forest Nurseries

Scouting Panel

Thursday May 7th, 2026

Theme: Seed Demand & Finance 

Reforestation Need, Demand, and Capacity: Identifying the Gap presented by Brian Morris Phd, American Forests
Western Forests at a Crossroads. Science,  Capital, and the Work Ahead presented by Matthew Aghai Phd, Viridian Ecosystems
Shared Crops Raise All Ships: Cooperatives for a Resilient Seed Supply Chain presented by Felicia Froton, Radicle Seed Solutions

Theme: Workforce & Community Engagement

Workforce Safety Discussion

Climber to Tree Planter Training: A Full Spectrum Business Model presented by Steen Christensen, SEGI Reforestation
Building the 2030 Workforce: A Strategy to Upskill Mid-career Professionals presented by Marin Chambers, Colorado State University

Seed Collection Coordinator Panel

‍ Friday May 8th, 2026

Field Outing 

Hosted by Viridian Ecosystems and OSU Extension

Early- Meet at Sisters Ranger District Office

Mid Morning- Tour Flat Fire Burn Scar Discussion: Active management, seed demand, and fire ecology.

Noon- Dee Wright Observatory / Snow Gate Discussion: Elevation gradients, genetics, and Wilderness management boundaries.

Early Afternoon- Optional Lunch in Sisters, Oregon


*Agenda is subject to change

Summit Themes

❋ Seed Solutions in Action

Stakeholders will provide updates on successes and challenges to scaling seed supply operations across the west. This includes initiatives in the public and private sector and discussion on how those solutions overlap and can be further applied.

❋ Research, Tech, & Genetics

Scientists specializing in topics ranging from assisted migration, new methods of propagation, and orchard operations will share highlights of their work. Presentations will highlight where the science is heading and spur conversation on what’s needed for further development. 

❋ Seed Demand & Finance

 From non-profits to private industry, presentations will focus on seed demand, and frameworks for a diversified and resilient seed marketplace. This includes discussion on how to navigate the current geopolitical landscape through active markets and collaboration.

❋ Workforce & Community Engagement

A spotlight on the training mechanisms and compensation metrics necessary to scale the workforce. How can we reinstate a knowledge base and maintain trained individuals across positions in the industry? This includes the integration of rural communities into roles across the reforestation pipeline starting with seed.

Stay up to date

& learn about future summits

Join the mailing list here

Art by Erin Fox at Psychedelic Lens

Special thanks to the following sponsors

Sponsorship

Partners choosing to support this event directly contribute to registrations for stakeholders requiring financial assistance. Sponsorship also supports the ability for the Western Cone & Seed Summit to be facilitated beyond 2026.

Sponsorship Form
Sponsorship Form

Tier 1 $1000  

Includes 2 registrations and sponsorship org listed on programs.

Tier 2 $2000 

Includes 3 registrations, org listed on programs, and org materials displayed at the welcoming table.

Tier 3 $3000 

Includes 4 registrations, org listed on programs, materials at welcoming table,  and a time-slot to  speak at the event highlighting their services related to tree seed supply.