Annual Gathering

Every year, we gather on an evening in November to hear highlights about recent research, teaching, and forest management activities on the Duke Forest.  We always showcase a special theme and host a guest lecturer to build on that topic.  We also celebrate a person who has made a large impact on the Forest in the previous year with the Clarence F. Korstian Award.  Great food, wine, and conversation are always enjoyed by all!  Our Annual Gathering is an important opportunity for us to share with and hear from the diverse community of folks who care about the forest so we hope to see you there!  Check back for future event details and registration.


Past Annual Gatherings

2023 Annual Gathering – Forest History Society

Slide decks:

Thursday, November 16
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Forest History Society
2925 Academy Rd., Durham

The tradition continued. After four years, the Duke Forest Gathering returned to the Forest History Society for an evening of connection and learning. We shared about the state of the Duke Forest Teaching and Research Laboratory and the special projects going on in New Hope Creek with a full house. Beyond the typical updates on teaching, research, and management, regular visitors to the Korstian Division were treated with a presentation from Executive Director Sara Childs about a major habitat restoration project that involves the removal and replacement of the Concrete Bridge and a partial dam downstream. This New Hope Creek habitat restoration project is one of the largest undertakings in the history of Duke’s biggest and oldest teaching and research lab. Our guest speaker Brena Jones highlighted the importance and fascinating life cycles of freshwater mussels.

2023 Clarence F. Korstian Award: Beverly R. Burgess

Guest Speaker
Brena Jones is the Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Research Coordinator at N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.  In this role, she is responsible for researching and surveying freshwater animals including fish, mussels, crayfish, and snails in the Yadkin-Pee Dee, Cape Fear, Lumber, and White Oak River Basins.  At this year’s Duke Forest Gathering, Brena will share how critically important these animals, and especially mussels, are to our freshwater ecosystems, and she’ll reveal the fascinating yet hidden life they lead under the surface and why their populations are so threatened


2021 Annual Gathering – Virtual

2019 Annual Gathering – Forest History Society

2018 Annual Gathering – New Hope Creek Improvement Association

2017 Annual Gathering – New Hope Creek Improvement Association

2015 Duke Forest – New Hope Creek Improvement Association

2014 Duke Forest – New Hope Creek Improvement Association

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