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March 19, 2010
Colorado State University's Colorado Forest Restoration Institute is hosting a conference, "Beyond the Bugs: Future Range of Variability for Forests and Communities," April 19-21 in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Participants will deliberate economic, social, and ecological desired conditions for the next forest generation and forest-reliant communities.
As a variety of insect outbreaks make their way through different forest types across the United States, they leave behind many questions regarding the future of forest landscapes and associated communities.
Agencies, communities and states are addressing hazard and fire mitigation efforts but as these take place, it is increasingly important to look beyond the present outbreaks to the future. At this conference, participants from many communities, agencies and stakeholder groups from Colorado, Wyoming and other states will have a chance to explore the possibilities and projections and articulate what is important to them for the future of these landscapes.
The conference will start with a series of short presentations updating participants on the most recent evidence in relation to lodgepole and other forest types’ interactions with fire, climate and insects and projections for these forests and related wildlife. A second series of short presentations will address the perspectives of the economic sectors, communities, agencies and the conservation community.
The rest of the conference will concentrate on a series of discussions that focus on the economic, social and ecological factors related to the future of these landscapes, including possible strategies for different places.
The ultimate goal of the conference is to allow participants to have formulated a blueprint for initiating strategic planning for a sustainable future of these ecosystems.
The registration fee is $65 if participants register before April 5, after which registration is $80. There is an opportunity for companies, businesses and organizations to purchase exhibitor space for an additional $50.
This conference is co-sponsored by the Colorado State Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, Warner College of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management, Denver Water, and the Society of American Foresters.
Contact: Amanda Bucknam
E-mail: Amanda.Bucknam@colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-0801