University Relations and Communications, 715-346-3046, Fax 715-346-2042, http://www.uwsp.edu/news
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources (CNR) is hosting the OAK 2006 International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Conference, “Advances in the Principles and Practices of Oak Silviculture and Genetics.”
The conference begins Sunday evening, September 24, at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point, and ends Wednesday, September 27 at noon. An optional field trip (extra cost) follows. The registration fee is $250.
All scientists and managers who have an interest in healthy oak forests are welcome. This is the first time this prestigious international organization has held this conference in Wisconsin. The conference focus will be to present current research from around the world on the ecology and silviculture of oaks.
The keynote speaker is Stephen Shifley, research forester, U.S. Forest Service, and co-author of the “Ecology and Silviculture of Oaks,” published in 2002. His talk is titled “Sustainable Management of Oak and Other Forests: Seven Simple Concepts.”
Other presentations will be given by Joe Kovach, Ron Jones, Jane Cummings Carlson, Jennifer Juzwik, Brian Lockhart, Kim Steiner, Johann Bruhn and Heinrich Spiecker. Conference presenters come not only from the U.S., but also from Canada, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Italy, Iran, Croatia, Austria, Poland, Azerbaijan, Japan and other nations. CNR faculty and staff taking part in the conference include Bob Rogers, CNR associate dean; Dennis Yockers, associate professor of environmental education; John DuPlissis, forestry outreach specialist; and Bobbi Kubish, CNR international programs coordinator.
“Many of the world’s oak forest experts will be attending this prestigious conference,” said Rogers. “UWSP/CNR faculty and students will also be taking part and helping to make this conference a success.”
In addition to the CNR and IUFRO, the Wisconsin Society of American Foresters, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Stora Enso, and the North Central Forest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, are co-sponsoring this event.
Additional information can be found at the conference Web site, http://www.uwsp.edu/forestry/oak2006 , or e-mail oak2006@uwsp.edu. The UWSP contact person is Bob Rogers, (715) 346-4192.
