Dozens of participants are gathering Montana Society of American Foresters' annual meeting to discuss and consider forest management goals.
Participants include nearly 20 students from the University of Montana and St. Regis High School.
The event aims to gather insight on a variety of issues and drivers in managing forest land.
"An important message that we try to emphasize is that grass can grow back the trees can't," said Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, Jamie Kirby.
"Living in a tree, a tree canopy area, you know improves individual's mental health improves the wellbeing and safety of individuals who live in that community. It improves air quality and improves rainwater interception. It improves particulate interception, which is you know, very important to us during fire season," said Ben Carson, Urban Forest Program Manager in Missoula.
Scientists and conservation experts will be in attendance give presentations.
The event runs until this Friday.