Forest Products Laboratory 9:15 am Tour

9:15 Tour is FULL. 

Please select the 9:30 Tour

Forest Products Laboratory 

Have you ever wondered what happens in the building near the Veterans Hospital and the UW Hospital and Clinics? The research in this laboratory serves the entire United States, and indeed, the world.  Begun in 1910, the first of its kind, the lab has deep collections of wood and wood products. It also conducts up-to-the-minute research in how wood and derivatives of wood can be used to safely build and fire-proof high rise buildings, add strength to concrete, reduce the carbon footprint of construction and much more.

Be prepared to walk on a variety of surfaces including flights of stairs. Please wear comfortable closed-toe shoes as we will be going to the laboratories where the scientists work. There is no seating available during tour.

Tour of the Forest Products Laboratory will begin at 9:30 a.m. If you are late for the beginning of the tour, we cannot guarantee you will be able to participate. Tours run approximately an hour.

As registration is over twenty, I started a second group which will start 15 minutes before the first.

Location of the Forest Products Laboratory

The Forest Products Laboratory is located at 1 Gifford Pinchot Drive in Madison, Wisconsin. The main building is most easily accessed via Walnut Street.

Parking at the Forest Products Laboratory

The Lab’s parking is available to you. There are designated guest spots, but you can park in any of the marked parking spots. Accessible parking spots are clearly marked at convenient spaces closest to the front entrance of the main building.

Entrance to the Forest Products Laboratory

All visitors to the Lab must check-in at the Front Desk in the main building. The main inner doors are locked. Please ring the doorbell. A Security Guard will allow access into the building.

Accessibility

There is also elevator entrance access to the main building. Northeast of the main entrance is an Accessibility sign with an intercom. Speak into the intercom so the Security Guard can admit access to the elevator. 

Your name will be on a Tour Attendance list, please make an X by your name to signify that you are in the building. The tour starts in the lobby. Feel free to roam the lobby area while you wait for the tour to begin.

Please let us know if your plans change and you can no longer join us. We look forward to seeing you on the tour of the Forest Products Laboratory.

Visit their website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/fpl

Facilities
There are bathroom facilities at both the start and end of the walking trail.

General Guidance

Please feel welcome to wear masks.

Questions? 

Contact trip leader Mike Dilorio at mdiiorio@tds.net