On a cold evening in December, the Sidney R. Yates Building in Washington, D.C., transformed into a winter wonderland to welcome more than 400 partners, collaborators and Forest Service employees to celebrate 120 years of forestry and honor the people and organizations who continue to strengthen the agency’s legacy of stewardship. Hosted by the Society of American Foresters and sponsored by the National Forest Foundation and CultivaGlobal, the reception brought together a wide community dedicated to sustaining the health, resilience and future of America’s forests.

The event offered far more than a traditional gathering. Guests were invited into an immersive experience that highlighted key mission areas of the Forest Service through four themed stations—timber, wildfire, winter recreation and summer recreation. The layout encouraged exploration, conversation and a deeper understanding of the work carried out across the agency.

Staff from the National Partnership Office provided tours of the building’s historic clock tower and the Forest Service Information Center, offering attendees a unique look at the heritage and day-to-day work of Forest Service employees. These tours connected the agency’s 120-year legacy with its modern mission of collaborative stewardship.

During the program, attendees also received an introduction to #Forests250, a new initiative aligning with the National America250 commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The effort highlights the essential role forests have played throughout the nation’s history and the importance of shared stewardship in shaping the next 250 years.

Remarks were provided by Society of American Foresters CEO Terry Baker, National Forest Foundation CEO Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, and Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. Each speaker emphasized the enduring value of partnerships and the shared commitment to sustaining the nation’s forests for future generations.