Dear Vegetation Enthusiast,

Thank you for your continued interest in the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC). We are excited to share several important updates, including the release of USNVC 3.0, changes in USNVC leadership, major improvements to VegBank, and a schedule of past and upcoming events and meetings where you can connect with the Panel and learn more about the USNVC.

As always, the USNVC continues to evolve through collaboration among researchers, land managers, agencies, conservation organizations, and many others who contribute data, expertise, and review. We are grateful to everyone who has supported this work over the years. If you would like to get involved, please contact us.

USNVC 3.0 has officially been released and is now available through the updated USNVC website.

This is the first major revision to the classification since 2016 and reflects years of collaborative work to improve the consistency, usability, and scientific foundation of the classification across scales. The update includes revisions from the upper levels of the hierarchy down through alliances and associations, with stronger alignment between national and regional classification efforts.

Some highlights of Version 3.0 include:

Implementation of the classification is also supported by new macrogroup fact sheets that provide concise summaries of vegetation types, including diagnostic characteristics, distribution maps, environmental settings, and representative images. Users can further explore and navigate the classification through the Hierarchy Explorer as well as the key to the macrogroups. Additional support materials and guidance documents will continue to be added and made publicly available at usnvc.org over time. 

Explore the classification here:
https://usnvc.org/explore-classification/

Watch a short release video here: LinkedIn Video

The release of USNVC 3.0 also marks a transition in USNVC leadership. Don Faber-Langendoen (NatureServe) has stepped down as Editor-in-Chief and passed the role to Esteban Muldavin (University of New Mexico). In conjunction with this transition, Esteban has stepped down as Chair of the Vegetation Panel, a position that is now held by Patrick McIntyre.

The Panel and scientific community are deeply grateful to Don and Este for their years of commitment and leadership, which were instrumental in bringing USNVC 3.0 to fruition. As we celebrate this milestone, we welcome Este as Editor-in-Chief and Patrick as Vegetation Panel Chair, and look forward to the continued growth, refinement, and application of the classification under their leadership.

VegBank has also undergone a substantial update. The new system replaces the original legacy platform with a modernized infrastructure designed to improve accessibility, reliability, and long-term sustainability.

The updated VegBank now includes:

These updates are intended to make VegBank more useful for both everyday users and larger analytical workflows while improving support for future data contributions and integration efforts.

The project also supported major new data uploads, including USNVC 3.0.3 concepts, USDA 2026 plant concepts, California Manual of Vegetation concepts, and more than 27,000 California vegetation plots. As vegetation data, tools, and user needs continue to evolve, VegBank will continue to grow alongside them through ongoing development and community engagement.

Explore VegBank here:
https://www.vegbank.org/

The USNVC community has been and will be participating in various national and international conferences and meetings in 2026. Below is a list of past and upcoming events; we look forward to connecting with you there.

Poster: U.S. National Classification Version 3.0: The vegetation classification standard for ecological research, conservation planning, and natural resource management across the U.S.

Date: March 26, 2026

Time: 3:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Poster: USNVC 3.0: A vegetation classification framework for biodiversity monitoring,

conservation planning, and natural resource management across the U.S.

Date: June 23, 2026

Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Central European Time)

We will be present at the USNVC booth in the exhibit hall to showcase the classification and share materials and resources. We will also be hosting a special session focused on recent developments in the classification, implementation tools, and emerging applications across vegetation science, conservation, and land management.

Special Session: Applying the US National Vegetation Classification Version 3.0 (USNVC 3.0) in Ecology and Conservation: Framework, Tools, and Case Examples

Date: July 27, 2026

Time: 11:45 am - 1:15 pm

Poster: U.S. National Classification Version 3.0: The vegetation classification standard for ecological research, conservation planning, and natural resource management across the U.S.

Date: July 29, 2026

Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Whether you are new to the USNVC or have been involved for many years, we appreciate your continued interest and participation. Your feedback, data contributions, and expertise help ensure that the classification remains useful, current, and broadly applicable across the vegetation community. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments.

Sincerely, 

Patrick McIntyre, Chair
The ESA Vegetation Classification Panel

Photo credit: Marji Patz