[RWG] conference announcement

[Cafesombra at aol.com]

forwarded from PA Biodiversity List
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Containing Invasives: Closing Pandora's Box

The Pennsylvania Bureau  of State Parks - Kings Gap Environmental 
Education and Training Center, and  Shippensburg University will 
co-sponsor the seventeenth annual environmental  issues conference on 
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Shippensburg  University.

Invasive species are wreaking havoc as they displace natives  and 
compromise the biodiversity of our state, country, and planet.  
Increased travel and expansion in global trade are the main culprits 
in  the rapidly escalating rate of invasion, with costs being high. 
In the U.S.  alone, the price tag of battling this menace while 
protecting our native  habitats and croplands is estimated at 137 
billion dollars each  year.

The potential damage to timber resources, to the recreational and  
aesthetic values of terrestrial and aquatic landscapes, and to human  
health challenges the abilities of land managers and private 
landowners  to provide natural resource stewardship for public and 
private lands.  "Containing Invasives: Closing Pandora's Box" will 
address this issue  through an array of sessions offering practical 
information, useful to both  field personnel and invasive control 
program planners.

Bernd Blossey,  Associate Professor in the Department of Natural 
Resources, and Director of  the Ecology and Management of Invasive 
Plants Program at Cornell University,  will give the opening address. 
Some of the reasons for the competitive  advantage of introduced 
species include lack of natural enemies, the  evolution of increased 
competitive ability and novel weapons hypotheses. Dr.  Blossey's 
presentation  will explore the evolutionary and ecological  reasons 
for such differences and how they affect aquatic and terrestrial  
ecosystems.

Post-luncheon speaker will be Randy Westbrooks, USGS  National 
Invasive Plant Coordinator. In developing the National Early  
Detection and Rapid Response System for Invasive Plants, Dr. 
Westbrooks  has become an outspoken advocate for the development of a 
coordinated  framework of interagency partner groups at the local, 
state, regional, and  national levels to more effectively address 
invasive species. His  presentation will highlight the importance of 
prevention, strategic  planning, partnerships, and leadership in these 
efforts.

Concurrent  sessions will cover national and state programs and 
projects being  implemented by various agencies and organizations. 
Topics include: the use  of plant pathogens as a control measure, 
DCNR's invasive species action  program, aquatic invasive plants in 
eastern PA lakes, herbicide use, the  Invasive Exotic Plant Management 
Tutorial, organizing volunteer "strike  forces," mechanical and 
biological controls, and management techniques,  tools and equipment. 
The conference will provide enrichment for  environmental 
professionals including land managers, municipal officials,  students 
and others with environmental interests.

The early  registration fee of $30 will include lunch, break, and all 
registration  materials.  Full-time students may register for $15. 
For registration  information, contact Kings Gap at (717) 486-3799 or 
e-mail  kingsgapsp at state.pa.us.

Thank you.

Gina

Gina Padilla,  Program Coordinator
Kings Gap Environmental Education & Training  Center
500 Kings Gap Road
Carlisle PA  17013

phone:  717.486.3799
fax:  717.486.3736
http://www.visitPAparks.com/parks/kingsgap.aspx
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