36^th Dendrochronology Field School

University of Southern Mississippi

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

May 17-26, 2027

The 36^th Annual Dendrochronology Field School (DFS) will be held at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. The surrounding region offers excellent examples of the ecologically complex and biodiverse forest types of the Gulf Coastal Plain, including bottomland floodplains of bald cypress and tupelo and longleaf pine woodlands, all with complex eco-human-climate histories to explore. Field sites will include a diversity of stand structures, disturbance legacies, and climate–ecology interactions, offering participants practice in tree-ring sampling across varied forest types. Opportunities include coring charismatic longleaf pine, dating historical structures, examining coastal forest ecotones, and reconstructing disturbance histories in some of the southeast’s most intriguing ecosystems.

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is just steps away from access to Biloxi Bay in the Gulf of Mexico and a short distance to the lively coastal city of Ocean Springs. Also nearby are the Gulf Islands National Seashore and ferry rides out to remote barrier islands, which offer access to quintessential bayou, backwater, and other coastal ecosystems with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration. Participants can expect an extraordinary outdoor laboratory for field-based learning, opportunities for team building and networking, and exposure to some of the US’s most biodiverse ecosystems. 

Registration fees are $1750 US for students and $1850 US for professionals. Join the Tree-Ring Society and save $50 on registration! Your registration fee includes room and board for the entire workshop and transportation to/from the airport. Registration fees are due by Friday, April 2, 2027. 

REGISTER HERE 

Groups

Introductory: Jordan Sharp (Indiana University) and Vandy Vandewater (University of New Hampshire)  

Ecology: Dr. Clay Tucker (University of Southern Mississippi) and Dr. Thomas Patterson (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University)

Climatology: Dr. Nicole Zampieri (University of Central Florida) and Mehvish Majeed (University of Nevada Reno)

Dendroarchaeology: Dr. Maegen Rochner (University of Louisville)

Wood Anatomy: Dr. Savannah Collins-Key (University of Alaska Fairbanks) and Zachary Foley (University of Idaho)

Questions? Please contact: 

DFS Director

Dr. Maegen Rochner

Professor of Geographic and Environmental Sciences

University of Louisville

maegen.rochner@louisville.edu

Agenda*

• Mon, May 17: Travel Day. Evening introductions. Group introductions. Split into groups.
• Tue, May 18: Field day. Evening lecture: cleaning and sharpening increment borers.
• Wed, May 19:  Laboratory day/Field day.  Evening lecture: Crossdating.
• Thur, May 20: Laboratory day. Evening lecture: Dendro packages in R.
• Fri, May 21: Laboratory day. Evening lecture: Group Leader Lightning Talks.
• Sat, May 22: Free day with local opportunities. 
• Sun, May 23: Laboratory day. Evening lecture: TBD.
• Mon, May 24: Laboratory day. Evening lecture: TBD.
• Tue, May 25: Laboratory day. 1pm presentation of projects. Closing celebration.
• Wed, May 26: Travel day.

*This is a tentative schedule.

Deliverables - Each group will develop and deliver a presentation to all of the fieldweek participants. 

Websites

Dendrochronology Field School: https://sites.google.com/view/nadef; 

Tree Ring Society Membership: https://www.treeringsociety.org/membership.html 

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory: https://www.usm.edu/gulf-coast-research-laboratory/about.php

Downtown Ocean Springs: https://www.downtownoceansprings.com/#google_vignette

Accommodations

The workshop will be held at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Lodging is dormitory-style with shared bathrooms—please bring your own towels and bedding, including a sheet, sleeping bag or blanket, and pillow. Meals will be provided in the campus cafeteria; note any dietary restrictions on the registration form.

Getting There

The first event on May 17 is dinner around 6 PM, followed by introductions by all of the participants, and an introductory lecture. For those driving, dormitory parking at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory will be available. For those flying, we will have shuttle buses to bring you from the Gulfport-Biloxi international airport on May 17 and for the return trip on May 26. Please arrange to arrive at the Gulfport Airport by 4 PM on May 17 (if possible) so that we can get you to the station in time for the first events. Also, please arrange to fly out from Gulfport after 10 AM (if possible) on May 26 so that we have time to get you down to the airport without having to leave the station before 7 AM.

What to bring

• PC laptop
• Field clothes including boots, hats, pants, and long sleeves. 
• Sunscreen and bug protection. 
• Field backpack and water bottle(s)
• Twin bedding, including sheet, sleeping bag (or blanket) and pillow w/ pillowcase 
• Bath Towel, Washcloth, and Shower Shoes (towels are not supplied)
• Increment borer if you have one

Preparation

For those new to dendrochronology, we recommend Jim Speer’s Fundamentals of Tree-Ring Research as an entry point to the discipline. 

Code of Conduct

Participants must adhere to the Code of Conduct Policy here: https://www.treeringsociety.org/Code-of-Conduct