In 2016 the US National Vegetation Classification Version 2.0 was rolled out by the FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee and its partners. This represents the formal release of the classification based on the 2008 FGDC dynamic content standard. The USNVC fills a critical need for a standardized system for vegetation classification that allows land managers to collaborate across ownership boundaries and manage and identify trends on a landscape, regional, and national scale. Key partners contributing to the development and working to implement the standard include the US Forest Service which serves as the Subcommittee Chair, US Geological Survey (USGS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), NatureServe, Ecological Society of America (ESA), and LANDFIRE.

The intent of this session is to increase awareness of the important progress that has been made on the standard and the future direction related to it continued implementation. The standard is maintained through a dynamic process that allows for broad participation in the development of the classification through time. Since its adoption, the initial content of the NVC and the infrastructure necessary to support it have been rapidly evolving, and its applications to basic and applied science are steadily growing, including mapping, monitoring and assessment. This session will be interactive, allowing the audience to speak directly with ecologists involved in implementing the NVC. The posters will provide the framework to guide discussions but the expectation is that the audience will have many questions related to the classification and the underlying Standard. The format will foster the one-on-one interaction and provide the audience with a more personalized experience related to the vegetation classification.