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Friday, June 23, 2000 Washington, DC.
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"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
." -- William Shakespeare, from "Troilus and Cresida" Act III, Scene 3.
- Focus on the Field
- Utah: Actor Morgan Freeman Speaks Out (Again!) for NRCS
Indiana: NRCS Exhibits, Talks Buffers at World Pork Expo
California: Sustainable Ag Goes Straight to the Heartland
Arizona: State Con Somerville to Chair Western SARE
New Mexico: NRCS Shows South Africans Plusses of Planning, Management
Montana: NRCS Puts Pub for Kids on Web
Alabama: Water Quality Conference Addresses Community, Industry Needs
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- Accountability Today
- Strategic Planning & Accountability Web Site Now Available
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- Historically Speaking. . .
- Home Page the "Last Word" on Agency History
What's Up on the Web
- USDA/NRCS NewsLinks:
- Statement by Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman on President Clinton's Signing of Emergency Farm Assistance and Crop Insurance Reform Bill
- NRCS National Water and Climate Center Snow-Precipitation Update for the West
- Glickman Announces New Scholarship Program for Hispanic Students
- Community Food Projects Competitive Grants, Deadline 6/29
- NRCS National Water and Climate Center Snow-Precipitation Update for the West
- New Mexico Fire: EWP, Earth Team in Action, Fact Sheets for Homeowners
- Also on the Web:
- NRCS Legislative Summaries
- NACD's "District Leader"
- WebReleaf
- Conference & Training Connection!
- See the alphabetical-by-subject list of upcoming events. . See additions under Air Quality, Conservation Tillage, Dam Safety, Soils and Soil Surveys, and Watersheds!
FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Actor Morgan Freeman Speaks Out (Again!) for NRCS -
In the March 10 edition of "NRCS This Week" you read a star-studded item from NRCS Mississippi about radio spots recorded for the agency by world-renown actor Morgan Freeman. Well, guess what. Mr. Freeman returned to the microphone -- this time for television -- to put his voice on a pair of recruitment spots for the agency's Earth Team volunteer program. Penning the spots was Ron Nichols, NRCS' State Communications Director in Utah. The Creative Services Department of KUTV, Salt Lake City, produced. The conservation-conscious actor has starred in dozens of movies, including "Driving Miss Daisy," "Unforgiven," and "The Shawshank Redemption." The Oscar-nominated actor did not charge for his services. Learn more about Morgan Freeman and send him an e-message on http://the-movie-times.com/thrsdir/actors/mfreeman.html Your contact is Ron on (801) 524-4556, or at ron.nichols@ut.usda.gov
NRCS Indiana Exhibits, Talks Buffers at World Pork Expo -
NRCS Indiana built support for conservation buffers at the World Pork Expo held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Agency personnel talked with visitors and gave them useful and vital information about buffers and how they benefit the resource base. Many took home copies of the publication "Buffer Solutions for Pork Producers." More than 25,000 people stepped through the turnstiles at the Expo. Looking for buffer info? You'll find it on NRCS' home page at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/buffers/ To experience more about the Expo, enter the National Pork Producers Council's Web site at http://www.nppc.org Your contact is Pam Davidson, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, on (317) 290-3200 x322.
Sustainable Ag Goes Straight to the Heartland -
The future of farming was the topic on the table at the first Heartland Conference and Fair held at California State University (CSU), Stanislaus, and a nearby ranch. Nearly 300 people heard lectures on how to achieve better crop yields, small-scale food production techniques, and integrated pest management. Glenda Humiston, USDA's Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, added an historical perspective with a audio-visual presentation showing the importance of sustainability in maintaining healthy natural resources and societies. The Committee for Sustainable Agriculture and the university's BioAg Project sponsored the event. Your contact is Michael McElhiney, District Conservationist, Modesto Service Center, on (209) 491-9320, or at Michael.Mcelhiney@ca.usda.gov To get the scoop on USDA and sustainability, click into http://www.usda.gov/oce/sdsf/
Arizona State Con Somerville to Chair Western SARE -
Best wishes go to Mike Somerville, NRCS State Conservationist in Arizona, as he begins his term as chair of the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program. Mike brings to the post 29 years of experience as a resource conservationist, plus a track record that clearly demonstrates his belief in land management partnerships between agricultural personnel and producers. "Mike's new role on the council will build an even stronger bridge between NRCS and SARE," said Phil Rasmussen, regional coordinator of Western SARE and soil scientist at Utah State University. Mike's appointment was announced at a recent meeting of Western SARE's Administrative Council. Susan Matsushima, owner-operator of a nursery business in Hawaii, was appointed chair-elect. Your contact is Kristen Kelleher, Communications Specialist, University of California, Davis, on (530) 752-5987, or at kkelleher@ucdavis.edu
NRCS NM Shows South Africans Plusses of Planning, Management -
Representatives of the South Africa's National Department of Agriculture saw conservation in action thanks to NRCS New Mexico. Agency personnel took them on tours of several sites in the Rio Grande corridor. The goal: offer the visitors experiences they can use to develop both a technical information guide on conservation planning and application and a landowner-driven sustainable land management effort called Land Care.
"New Mexico was selected as one of the tour locations due to the similarity of climates and land use here and South Africa," said State Conservationist Rosendo Trevino. "They are also very interested in dryland farming, range management, and irrigation with a limited water supply. Our working relationship with soil and water conservation districts is of great interest to them as they develop their Land Care effort."
Tour sites included private ranches, farms, pueblos, and acequias, a chile processing plant, Mesilla Valley Precision Farming project, and the NRCS Plant Materials Center in Los Lunas. Learn about South Africa's National Department of Agriculture at http://www.nda.agric.za Your contact is Betty Joubert, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, on (505) - 761-4406.
mmerce, and numerous local businesses and organizations. Your contact is Terri Daniel, NRCS Public Affairs, at (405) 742-1244.
NRCS Montana Puts Pub for Kids on Web -
Now on the Weban activity book produced by Montana NRCS especially for kids in grades 3 through 6. Entitled "Hands on the Earth: Holding the Key to Life," the book tells the story of how Montana farmers and ranchers conserve and protect Montana's natural resources by using conservation practices. Click into "Hands" on NRCS Montana's homepage at: http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/pas/eday/color.html Your contact is Heidi Brewer, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, on (406) 587-6971 or hbrewer@mt.nrcs.usda.gov
Water Quality Conference Addresses Community, Industry Needs -
Nearly 200 representatives of government, business, and private organizations gathered in Decatur, Alabama, for "Bridging the Boundaries--A Water Quality Conference," an event co-sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council. Speakers addressed the unique needs and requirements of individual communities and industries. Topics included increasing regulations that affect Storm Water Phase II Permitting, sanitary sewer overflow regulations, source water assessments and protection, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems Permitting, confined animal feeding operations permitting, animal feeding operations permitting, and Total Maximum Daily Loads. Your contact is Mike Roden at (205) 638-4771, ext. 3 or at mike.roden@al.usda.gov
ACCOUNTABILITY TODAY
Strategic Planning & Accountability Web Site Now Available
Check out http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/SPA Information on the Web site includes:
-- SPA and its Divisions;
-- The Integrated Accountability System and Its Components: Workload Analysis, TCAS, and PRMS;
-- "Accountability Today";
-- SPA Employee Directory;
-- Quality Management Information and Team Start-Up Kit;
-- The NRCS Strategic Plan;
-- Annual Performance Plan and
-- 1999 Performance Report;
-- and more!
Your questions and comments are welcomed.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
Home Page the "Last Word" on Agency History -
NRCS has an incredible history, and it's yours for the reading on the Resource Economics and Social Sciences Division's home page at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/history/ You'll be just a click or two away from finding fascinating historical facts about NRCS, its programs and activities, and partners. Also FYI are looks at minorities and women in the agency's workforce, conservation in the Great Plains, and the lives of agency legends Hugh Hammond Bennett and W.C. Lowdermilk. Reference buffs, be sure to check the list of references on the soil and water conservation movement! Your contact is Douglas Helms, NRCS Senior Historian, on (202) 720-3766.
CONFERENCE & TRAINING CONNECTION
June 2, 2000
As a service to NRCS personnel and the agency's partners, "NRCS This Week" offers the following by-subject list of conferences and training sessions. To add an event, please send an e-mail message to fred.jacobs@usda.gov
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agroforestry/Forestry
- Air Quality
- Alternative Agriculture
- Animal Residuals Management
- Beef
Carbon Sequestration
- Conservation Tillage
- Core 4
- Dam Safety
- Economics
- Employee Organizations
- Environmental Education
- Grazing Land & Grassland
- Land Use
- Mining & the Environment
- Partnerships
- Resource Conservation & Development
- Rivers
Salmon
- Soils & Soil Surveys
- Water Quality
- Watersheds
- Wetlands
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Agricultural Engineering
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- American Society of Agricultural Engineers 2000 Annual International Meeting
- July 9-12
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The theme for this year's meeting is "Engineering Solutions for a New Century." Interact with engineering professionals worldwide; share your ideas, techniques, and research with your peers; and promote the profession of agriculture, food, and engineering. For additional information, contact ASAE at http://www.asae.org, or William Hughey at (202)-720-5023 and william.hughey@usda.gov
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Agroforestry/Forestry
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- Fragmentation 2000-A Conference on Sustaining Private Forests in the 21st Century
- September 17-20
- Annapolis, Maryland
- An examination of the forces that are fragmenting American working lands and forests. Contact: Lester DeCoster on (703) 860-2513, and at lesdecoster@worldnet.att.net To submit papers, contact: Terri Bates at 3325 Rose Lane, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Her telephone number: (703) 538-1134, and at Bates-Stasny@erols.com To get updates, articles, and registration material (coming soon), click on http://www.sampsongroup.com/FragCon/frag_conf.htm
- International Poplar Commission 2000 Conference
- Sept. 24-30
- Portland, Oregon
- Will include scientists and practitioners from more than 32 countries. The theme: "Poplar and Willow Culture: Meeting the Needs of Society and the Environment." Papers will be presented in working group sessions, including Poplar and Willow Breeding, Diseases, Insects and Other Animal Pests, Production and Environmental Systems, and Logging and Utilization. The Web site is http://www.ncfes.umn.edu/IPC2000/
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- Forest Utilization Conference
- May 1-3, 2001
- Wagoner OK
- The Ouachita Mountains Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. will sponsor its 6th annual Forest Utilization Conference and Equipment Exposition at the Western Hills Guest Resort in Sequoyah State Park on the shores of Lake Fort Gibson. For information, contact Gary Garman, Coordinator for Ouachita Mountains RC&D Council, at (918)-423-2479, fax 918-423-0793, email omrcandd@icok.net or visit the web site http://www.icok.net/~omrcandd
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Air Quality
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- Future Directions in Air Quality Research
- February 12-15, 2001
- Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Conference topics will focus on ecological, atmospheric, regulatory/policy and educational issues. The conference is sponsored by the Air Resources Research Consortium. For more information contact Sherrie Knott at (919) 515-2261 or visit the conference website at http://www2.ncsu.edu/cpe/airqualconf.html
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Alternative Agriculture
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- Alternative Ag Expo
- August 28-29
- Sioux City, Nebraska
- Will feature locally grown food systems, nutrition, concurrent sessions for farmers, non-farmers, and urban residents. For more information, contact the Nebraska Loess Hills, RC&D Council on (402) 494-3701.
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Animal Residuals Management
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- Animal Residuals Management Conference--Issues and Solutions
- November 12-14
- Kansas City, Missouri
- The conference will feature three session tracks: issues and environmental assessments, solutions and technology, and policy. Topics include: applied solutions for animal manure use and disposal, nutrient management in watersheds, public health risks associated with agricultural use of animal manure, and case studies on the beneficial use of animal manure. Deadline for submittal of abstracts is June 23. For details, contact: Water Environment Federation, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314-1994. Phone: (703) 684-2438. NRCS co-sponsors.
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Beef
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- NEW! 32nd Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting and Research Symposium
- July 12-15
- Wichita, Kansas
- Sessions include emerging technologies, biotechnology, feed efficiency, multiple trait selection, breeding objectives, and genetic prediction. Contact: Todd Johnson, Kansas Livestock Association, on (785) 273-5115 and at toddj@kla.org
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Carbon Sequestration
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- Carbon: Exploring the Benefits to Farmers and Society
- August 29-31
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Ag perspectives on emerging policies and technologies involving carbon management and sequestration and other greenhouse gases. Focus on the impacts and benefits of carbon sequestration affecting ag producers, society and the environment. Hear ideas from a cross-section of policy, science, and industry perspectives. Poster abstracts due March 13. Contact Alice Vinsand, conference coordinator, at (515) 225-1051 or email
- avinsand@aol.com Complete abstract details and other conference information are available at http://www.cvrcd.org/carbon.htm
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- Advances in Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory, Measurements and Monitoring.
- October 3-5, 2000
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- The conference will cover forest, agriculture, rangeland, wetland, and urban landscapes in the U.S. Focus is on terrestrial ecosystem carbon measurements, monitoring, and mitigation strategies. Objectives: Evaluate current methodologies and identify knowledge gaps in terrestrial ecosystem carbon measurement and monitoring; propose priorities and standardization for terrestrial carbon monitoring, and data collection; and evaluate current and propose new experimental designs and outputs for increasing carbon storage. For more information visit http://www.sgcp.ncsu.edu/conference/ or contact Steven McNulty, conference chair, at (919) 515-9489 email: steve_mcnulty@ncsu.edu
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Conservation Tillage
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- NEW! I S T R O 2 0 0 0 15th Conference of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization
- July 2-7, 2000
- Fort Worth, Texas
- The theme of this year's ISSTRO conference is "Tillage at the Threshold of the 21st Century: Looking Ahead." The Conference will focus on the science and technologies of agricultural cropping related to the "tillage" or manipulation, management, and protection of the soil environment that enables sustainable, profitable production. For more information contact John Morrison at (254)-770-6507; fax (254)-7706561; e-mail: istro@brc.tamus.edu or visit the website at: http://www.agen.tamu.edu/organizations/istro/INDEX.HTM
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Dam Safety
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- NEW! Evaluation of Concrete Dam Stability
- July 13-14
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Sponsored by Association of State Dam Safety Experts in the field of concrete dam stability will cover a number of topics including types of analyses and dams, stability analysis calculations, and sample calculations. For more information, contact Susan Sorrell on (606) 257-51460 or register on line at http://www.damsafety.org/reg_tech_sem.html
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Economics
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- Valuation 2000
- July 10-13
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- A business, education, and networking conference sponsored by the American Society of Appraisers, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and the Appraisal Institute. Will focus on environmental concerns and their impact on valuation, technology in valuation and its use, employment, regulatory concerns, trends, and other unique valuation problems. May be the largest gathering of NRCS' resource information customers, especially regarding soil survey. For more information, see http://www.val2000.org/
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- 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Agricultural Economists
- July 30-August 2
- Tampa, Florida
- For meeting information, see http://www.aaea.org/meetings/m2000
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Employee Organizations
National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees
- (NOPHNRCSE) 8th Annual Training Conference
- June 26-29
- Washington, D.C.
- Theme: "Hispanics-The New Dynamic." In conjunction with the Hispanic Emphasis Program Managers (HEPM) and Federal Women Program Managers (FWPM) training sessions. For more information call Gerry Gonzalez (NOPHNRCSE) on (602) 280-8777, Rafael Salazar (HEPM) on (706) 554-5183, or Sheila Greene (FWPM) on (301) 504-2178.
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- Environmental Education
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- North American Association for Environmental Education National Conference
- October 17-21
- South Padre Island, Texas
- The conference theme is "Spanning Cultural and Ecological Diversity through Environmental Education." Learn more about the conference, at http://www.naaee.org
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- Grazing Land & Grassland
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- American Forage and Grassland Council and North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference
- July 16-19
- Madison, Wisconsin
- A variety of exhibits and events on grazing crops, plus biotechnology. Contact: Dana Tucker, American Forage Grassland Council , on (800) 944-AFGC, and at dtucker@io.com
First National Conference on Grazing Lands
- December 5-8
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Economic and environmental effects of proper grazing lands management. Sponsored by NACD, Grazing Lands and Public Lands Committee, the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), and others. Abstracts for oral and poster papers accepted until April 1. Contact John W. Peterson, NCGL Program Manager, by phone on (703) 455-4387, or fax at (703) 455-6886, or by e-mail on jwpeterson@erols.com
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- Land Use
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- Land Conservation Summit 2000
- July 28-29
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- The conference will advance the debate about private land conservation and the use of conservation easements in the new millennium.
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- Mining & the Environment
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- Conference on Tailings and Mine Waste
- January 15-18, 2001
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- A forum for members of the mining community, engineers, and scientists concerned with environmental issues related to tailings and mine waste management. Abstracts due by June 2. To submit an abstract or for more information, contact Linda Hinshaw, Department of Civil Engineering, Colorado State Univeristy, (970) 491-6081, or at (lhinshaw@engr.colostate.edu
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- Partnerships
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- SWCS Annual Conference: Gateway to the Future-Conserving Private Land
- July 8-12
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Information is available on the Soil and Water Conservation Society's Web page at http://www.swcs.org Your contact is Charlie Persinger, SWCS, Director of Member Services, 7515 NE Ankeny Road, Ankeny, Iowa 50021-9764. Voice: (515) 289-2331, ext. 12. Fax: (515) 289-1227. Email: charliep@swcs.org
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- North Central Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- July 9-11
- Sault St. Marie, Minnesota
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- South Central Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- July 30-August 1
- Springdale, Arkansas
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Northeastern Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- August 6-9
- South Portland, Maine
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Southeastern Regional Meeting--National Association of Conservation Districts
- August 13-15
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Southwestern and Pacific Regional Meetings--National Association of Conservation Districts
- September 10-12
- Reno, Nevada
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- NASDA 2000
- September 22-27
- Columbus, Ohio
- Meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Contact: Liana Lee, Ohio Department of Agriculture on (614) 466-2732.
Third Biennial Conference on Understanding Each Other and Working Together for a Better Future
- October 24-25
- Eugene, Oregon
- Forum for agricultural interests, government, and environmentalists to discuss issues relevant to agriculture and water quality. Perspectives presented in a non-confrontational forum and others see and understand other points of view. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://www.agwaterqualitynw.org
- 2001 National Association of Conservation Districts' Annual Meeting
- February 4-8
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Contact Robert Raschke on (303) 988-1810.
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- Resource Conservation & Development
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- New England Association of RC&D Areas Annual Conference
- October 26-29
- Newport, Rhode Island
- For more information call, please call Susan Arrants at (401) 949-4418.
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- Rivers
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- International Conference on Wood in World Rivers
- October 23-27
- Corvallis, Oregon
- Sessions on primary research of fluvial processes, synthesis of policies and science to guide management options for rivers, applied research, and conservation perspectives. Co-sponsored by the Wildlife Habitat Management Institute. For more information, see the conference's Web site at http://riverwood.orst.edu or contact the Institute's Kathryn Staley at Kathryn.Staley@orst.edu
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- Salmon
- Salmon Symposium
- July 7-8, 2000
- Portland Oregon at Portland State University
- "What We Don't Know About Pacific NW Fish Runs: An Inquiry into Decision-making under Uncertainty." Many critical facets of the salmon problem -- causes and remedies-are presently unknown. This conference focuses on such uncertainties as, to what extent breaching dams will help enhance salmon habitat. For more information or registration forms, please e-mail Jennifer Shawcross at jennifer@eclab.econ.pdx.edu or visit http://www.web.pdx.edu/~jens.
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- Soils & Soil Surveys
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- West National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference
- June 25-30
- Kailua Kona, Hawaii
- This regional work planning conference will be held on the Big Island of Hawaii and includes partners and cooperators of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) in Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, and the Pacific Basin. This conference convenes during the even-number years and provides a forum for regional NCSS partners and cooperator to discuss the status and future of the cooperative soil survey and other topics of mutual interest and concern. The conference will include a field trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Contact: Christopher W. Smith (808) 541-2600 (Ext. 119); email: csmith@hi.nrcs.usda.gov
- California Forest Soils Council Summer Field Trip
- July 27-29
- Butte County, California
- Participate in an exchange of insights from an ongoing soil survey, private long-term forest management, and the results of research into soil and vegetation responses to treatments such as compaction, organic matter removal, thinning, and fertilization. All of these activities are occuring within a small area near Feather Falls and Challenge. The LTSP research is part of a coordinated North American research network. Contact: David W. Howell, Chair CFSC, at david.howell@ca.usda.gov, or on (707) 822-7133.
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