About
Conference organizers:
- Michael Decker (College of Graduate Studies - University of Idaho)
- Andrea Alberto Dutto (College of Art and Architecture)
Dates: April 19, 2025
Location: University of Idaho, Moscow Campus
Important Dates
Abstract Submission Deadline: 03/15/2025
Abstract Acceptance: 03/25/2025
Presentation Upload: 4/15/2025
About the Conference/Theme
The National Interdisciplinary Lookout Conference (NILC) invites abstracts and proposals for its inaugural conference. This year’s theme, “The Past and Future of Fire Lookouts,” focuses on exploring both the history and the evolving role of fire lookout towers and content adjacent to fire lookout towers.
In the spirit of interdisciplinarity, we welcome submissions from a broad range of disciplines, including natural resources professionals, fire managers, current and former fire lookouts, GIS experts, humanities scholars, architects, and civil engineers.
The conference will take place April 19, 2025, at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Once home to more active fire lookouts than any other state—and therefore the world—Idaho is a fitting location for NILC ‘25. Our aim is to bring together different perspectives and disciplines to shape the future of fire lookout towers, which remain integral to fire management policies in Idaho and across the American West.
NILC ‘25 will include talks from staples of the lookout community such as Gary Weber from the Forest Fire Lookout Association, and Billy Cooter and Cat House, who are some of the most prolific documentarians of Idaho fire lookouts active today.
A full conference schedule will be posted in late-March once presentation submissions are finalized.