Trees and lasers: 18th Silvilaser 23 conference at UCL

The meeting brings together researchers interested in measuring trees and forests using laser technology, which has revolutionised our ability to measure forest structure and function in 3D in the last 30 years or so. Silvilaser attracts researchers from areas such as ecology, forestry, and climate as well as instrument developers and policy professionals. Silvilaser is a community-led non-profit conference, with a different group volunteering to host and run it every 2 years.

Given that we have been heavily involved in lidar, particularly in tropical and temperate forests, Phil decided it would be a good idea for us to host (!). It was a LOT of work to pull together, and Phil particularly had a few sleepless nights in the run up (partly due to having moved jobs in July!). But with a lot of help from our group, the scientific committee, and various UCL teams, it went off brilliantly. We had a day of packed-out software workshops, followed by 3 days of plenary and parallel sessions, which sparked a lot of animated and productive discussion.  

We hosted a Women of Waveforms breakfast, welcome drinks and a BBQ on the Wilkins terrace in the balmy late summer evenings, serenaded by a string quartet from the UCL student music society. We also organised a series of lunchtime tree walks lead by author and London tree expert Paul Wood. These proved to be very popular and a timely demonstration of how urban trees provide vital shade in extreme heat!

Overall, Silvilaser23 was a fantastic success and we had great feedback from attendees. Would we do it again? Hmm maybe - ask me again in about 10 years!

See the 3D audience scan