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<DIV>forwarded from PA Biodiversity List</DIV>
<DIV>____________________________________________</DIV>
<DIV>Containing Invasives: Closing Pandora's Box<BR><BR>The Pennsylvania Bureau
of State Parks - Kings Gap Environmental <BR>Education and Training Center, and
Shippensburg University will <BR>co-sponsor the seventeenth annual environmental
issues conference on <BR>Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Shippensburg
University.<BR><BR>Invasive species are wreaking havoc as they displace natives
and <BR>compromise the biodiversity of our state, country, and planet.
<BR>Increased travel and expansion in global trade are the main culprits <BR>in
the rapidly escalating rate of invasion, with costs being high. <BR>In the U.S.
alone, the price tag of battling this menace while <BR>protecting our native
habitats and croplands is estimated at 137 <BR>billion dollars each
year.<BR><BR>The potential damage to timber resources, to the recreational and
<BR>aesthetic values of terrestrial and aquatic landscapes, and to human
<BR>health challenges the abilities of land managers and private <BR>landowners
to provide natural resource stewardship for public and <BR>private lands.
"Containing Invasives: Closing Pandora's Box" will <BR>address this issue
through an array of sessions offering practical <BR>information, useful to both
field personnel and invasive control <BR>program planners.<BR><BR>Bernd Blossey,
Associate Professor in the Department of Natural <BR>Resources, and Director of
the Ecology and Management of Invasive <BR>Plants Program at Cornell University,
will give the opening address. <BR>Some of the reasons for the competitive
advantage of introduced <BR>species include lack of natural enemies, the
evolution of increased <BR>competitive ability and novel weapons hypotheses. Dr.
Blossey's <BR>presentation will explore the evolutionary and ecological
reasons <BR>for such differences and how they affect aquatic and terrestrial
<BR>ecosystems.<BR><BR>Post-luncheon speaker will be Randy Westbrooks, USGS
National <BR>Invasive Plant Coordinator. In developing the National Early
<BR>Detection and Rapid Response System for Invasive Plants, Dr. <BR>Westbrooks
has become an outspoken advocate for the development of a <BR>coordinated
framework of interagency partner groups at the local, <BR>state, regional, and
national levels to more effectively address <BR>invasive species. His
presentation will highlight the importance of <BR>prevention, strategic
planning, partnerships, and leadership in these <BR>efforts.<BR><BR>Concurrent
sessions will cover national and state programs and <BR>projects being
implemented by various agencies and organizations. <BR>Topics include: the use
of plant pathogens as a control measure, <BR>DCNR's invasive species action
program, aquatic invasive plants in <BR>eastern PA lakes, herbicide use, the
Invasive Exotic Plant Management <BR>Tutorial, organizing volunteer "strike
forces," mechanical and <BR>biological controls, and management techniques,
tools and equipment. <BR>The conference will provide enrichment for
environmental <BR>professionals including land managers, municipal officials,
students <BR>and others with environmental interests.<BR><BR>The early
registration fee of $30 will include lunch, break, and all <BR>registration
materials. Full-time students may register for $15. <BR>For registration
information, contact Kings Gap at (717) 486-3799 or <BR>e-mail
kingsgapsp@state.pa.us.<BR><BR>Thank you.<BR><BR>Gina<BR><BR>Gina Padilla,
Program Coordinator<BR>Kings Gap Environmental Education & Training
Center<BR>500 Kings Gap Road<BR>Carlisle PA 17013<BR><BR>phone:
717.486.3799<BR>fax:
717.486.3736<BR>http://www.visitPAparks.com/parks/kingsgap.aspx<BR>*****<BR><BR>The
Pennsylvania Biodiversity Listserve is intended to promote<BR>discussion of
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to<BR>majordomo@webmail.upb.pitt.edu.<BR><BR>*****<BR><BR></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>