I'm forwarding this to the JBS list for Les Mehrhoff: SAVE THESE DATES!!! A CALL FOR PAPERS!!! New England Invasive Plant Summit: Friday and Saturday, September 19-20, 2003 Location: Sheraton Framingham Hotel, Framingham, Massachusetts. Convened by: Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) and New England Invasive Plant Group (NIPGro). Funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Principle organizers: University of Connecticut, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, New England Wild Flower Society, University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Gather together with scientists, land managers, policy-makers, educators, horticulturists, industry leaders and volunteers who are seeking and sharing information about how we can work together to find solutions to the invasive plant problem in our region. The conference will highlight research on the biology and management of invasive plant species. In addition, national & regional perspectives will be offered on the following topics: identifying research needs, risk assessment, inventory, early detection/rapid response, biological control, restoration, and green industry involvement. Organizations and agencies will show displays highlighting their activities. The following national leaders in the invasive plant field have been invited to speak in plenary sessions and panel discussions: Chris Dionigi, National Invasive Species Council Richard Mack, Washington State University Robert Pemberton, U.S. Department of Agriculture John Randall, The Nature Conservancy Sarah Reichard, University of Washington Tom Stohlgren, National Institute of Invasive Species Science Randy Westbrooks, USGS Invasive Plant Coordinator Abstracts for proposed presentations (oral and posters) are invited from additional contributors. Of most interest are research findings on the biology and management of plant species invasive in the Northeast (especially New England), as well as case studies of management successes. Due to the nature of the Summit, only a very limited number of oral presentations can be accommodated. These will be selected by the Program Committee to best address the needs of the program. Posters, an alternative presentation format, will be an integral part of the program with authors present during dedicated viewing times. Posters offer a unique opportunity for extended discussion on cutting-edge results and ideas with Summit participants. Once planning is complete, a full agenda and registration information will be posted on the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England website: http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane. Registration for one or both days will be accommodated. Abstracts (250 word limitation) for contributed posters and 12-minute oral sessions must be received no later than 5:00pm EST Friday, May 30, 2003. Abstracts and associated information should be submitted using the electronic submission form on http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane between April 1 and May 30, 2003. Additional information on abstract format will be provided starting April 1 on the above website. Acceptance of presentations/posters to the program will be finalized and notification sent on July 15. PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO OTHERS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE SUMMIT. AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR POSTING IS ATTACHED. ***NO NEW INVASIONS*** IPANE Web site: http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane "What is our educational system doing to encourage personal amateur scholarship in the natural-history field?" Aldo Leopold Leslie J. Mehrhoff, Ph.D. Director, Invasive Plant Atlas of New England George Safford Torrey Herbarium University of Connecticut Box U-43 75 North Eagleville Road Storrs, CT 06269-3043 Office phone (860) 486-5708 FAX (860) 486-6364