8th Regional Longleaf Conference

Longleaf Through Time-Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

When:  October 12-15, 2010
Where:  Columbia, South Carolina

This year’s conference explores the rich history of longleaf pine,
the current enthusiasm and interest in the longleaf ecosystem, and
the bright future for both longleaf and The Longleaf Alliance!

 

Despite having to find a new location at the beginning of the year, plans for the conference are progressing nicely.  The dates are still the same (October 12-15), but the conference will now be at the downtown Marriott in Columbia, SC.

 

Registration is coming soon!  Keep checking back here to register.  In the mean time, though, there is plenty that you can do now to prepare for the conference. 

 

If you would like to be a sponsor, please click here.
If you would like to be an exhibitor, please click here.
If you would like to present a poster, please click here.
If you would like to contribute to the silent auction, please click here.

 

This year’s theme will be:  Longleaf through Time—Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.  At this time an agenda is nearing completion and speakers are being secured.  Here is a look at our current agenda:

Tuesday, October 12th
Welcome Social, Registration and poster set up

 

Wednesday, October 13th
Opening Plenary Session 9:00—12:00

Concurrent Sessions: 
1:30—3:10 (3 sessions); 3:10-3:30 break; 3:30-5:10 (3 sessions)

Sessions:
The Literature of Longleaf - Join a panel of distinguished authors to learn how longleaf pine influenced their lives and their writings.  Many of the authors will also join us on Thursday evening for readings from their works and book signings. 

Significant Geographic Areas - In order to implement the objectives for longleaf pine restoration, conservation and management as outlined in the Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine, teams have formed to identify priorities and coordinate activities in Significant Geographic Areas.  This panel will provide updates from active teams in North Carolina, Texas, and Alabama and offer a chance for sharing information among those teams and with others interested in initiating teams in other SGAs.  The session will end with an opportunity for individual teams to meet and identify next steps. 

Conservation Opportunities for Landowners - Currently, numerous incentives and opportunities exist that can help landowners develop and reach their objectives for managing the longleaf forest.  This session will feature presentations by leading experts on the following topics:  Mitigation and Conservation Banking, Ecosystem Markets, Cost Share Programs, Conservation Easements, and Carbon Sequestration.

Longleaf Pine Management Techniques:  Why and How - This session will feature presentations on many of the latest advancements in longleaf ecosystem management.  Speakers will cover topics including Understory Restoration, Wildlife Management for Songbirds and Bobwhite Quail, Ecological Forestry, and Managing Longleaf for Economic Returns and Endangered Species. 

The Good Map - The imperative of restoring the once vast longleaf forest will require the coordinated efforts of government agencies, private landowners, forestry and investment corporations and many others.  More than a good map, a dynamic conservation planning tool is needed to assist in strategically investing limited resources and tracking progress in meeting ecosystem objectives for retention of ancient forests, restoration across the historic range, and initiating and maintaining needed management.  This session will introduce the range-wide database for longleaf pine as well as other mapping and inventory efforts related to gopher tortoise and quail conservation, the Open Pine Decision Support Tool, and technology available to assist in gathering and using longleaf forest data.

Shaping the Future of Longleaf Conservation:  Building The Longleaf Alliance for the Future - Interest and enthusiasm for longleaf conservation has been building over the past decade.  With advances in management techniques, better understanding of ecosystem components, new thinking related to ecological forestry, and the release of the Range-wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine, the future is promising for longleaf ecosystem conservation.  The Longleaf Alliance has entered a new phase in our 15 year history by incorporating as a 501c3 corporation to better position our organization to support the growing interest and needs of the longleaf conservation community.  Our supporters, many who will be in attendance at this conference, are the heart and soul of the LLA.  Join us for a discussion of what it means to be an alliance and share your thoughts on The Longleaf Alliance’s future.  Comments on the draft strategic plan for the LLA are welcome during this session or through online comments. 

 

Thursday, October 14th
A geographic location for the Thursday field day has been identified with assistance from an enthusiastic local planning team that is helping Mark Hainds and JJ Bachant-Brown from the LLA staff pull the fieldtrip together.  The fieldtrip will take place in and around the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge and will include both government and private property.  Stations are being worked on and we’ll have more to report so keep checking the web site as plans develop (www.longleafalliance.org).  The after fieldtrip shindig promises to be nothing but fun and entertaining!

 

Friday, October 15th
The closing plenary session will focus on the motivations for and contributions to longleaf forest conservation by private landowners from across the historic range from Virginia to Florida to Texas.  With over half of the land needed to restore and manage longleaf pine in private ownership much of that land intermixed with state and federal lands, these dedicated individuals are critical to the future of longleaf pine on both public and private properties.  This session will include presentations by exemplary landowners investing in longleaf forests and remarks from our closing keynote speaker on the importance of their efforts.

 

Pre- and Post-Conference Meeting and Trips
There are several options in the works and we’ll have more to announce as plans become better organized.  There will be some exciting opportunities, so stay tuned!

 

 

So, besides registering when the time comes, what can YOU do now to prepare for the conference? Sign up to be a sponsor or secure your exhibit space for the 8th Regional Conference! You can either contact The Longleaf Alliance directly (12130 Dixon Center Road, Andalusia, AL  36429, 334-427-1029) or see the contacts listed below.


Sponsorships.  As we all know, these events can’t happen by themselves.  All levels of support are needed and greatly appreciate!  You or your company/organization/agency can either contribute to the overall conference or support specific events. Listed below are the different levels of participation:

Old growth* - $10,000: complimentary exhibit space and 4 conference registrations

Pole stage* - $5,000: complimentary exhibit space and 2 conference registrations

Grass stage* - $2,500: complimentary exhibit space and 1 conference registration

Seedlings - $500-$2,000: recognition in the conference program

*Sponsor may specify a particular conference function to sponsor; will be recognized in the conference program. 

If you would like to sponsor, please contact one of the following:

Emily Jo Williams, Executive Director:  ej@longleafalliance.org (706-818-1799)

 

Exhibitors.  These conferences tend to draw in a wide range of people with varying backgrounds and interests.  It is an excellent opportunity for venders and exhibitors to showcase their products and merchandise. 

Profit organizations: $400
Non-profit organizations: $200

For more information, please contact:                                     Mark Hainds, Research Coordinator:  mark@longleafalliance.org (334-427-1029)

 

Poster Session. The poster sessions will be a very important component of the conference.  Two periods of time will be devoted solely to posters.  Posters will involve invited and volunteer papers emphasizing specific management and research topics.  Organizations involved in longleaf activities are encouraged to present posters describing their overall programs.  Abstracts (250 words) for posters are due September 13, 2010.  Abstracts will be reviewed regarding content and appropriateness to the conference.  Authors will be notified of the decision by September 20, 2010.  Please address inquiries and send abstracts via email, if at all possible, to:

John S. Kush
3301 Forestry and Wildlife Bldg.
Auburn University, AL 36849-5418
Phone: 334.844.1065
Fax: 334.844.1084
E-mail: kushjoh@auburn.edu

 

Silent Auction.  We have a goal to make this year’s silent auction an even bigger part of the conference than in years past.  In order to do that, we’ll need your help in contributing items.  Be creative...longleaf products, trips, merchandise, field equipment, photographs, etc.  To contribute something, please contact:

Anne Rilling:  anne@longleafalliance.org (334-427-1029)