Mountain Longleaf Conference

October 15-17, 2003

Leone Cole Auditorium
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama

Conference Announcement
and
Call for Posters

Hosted by
The Longleaf Alliance, School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University
Jacksonville State University
Alabama Forestry Commission
Georgia Forestry Commission
USDA Forest Service
US Fish & Wildlife Service

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON MOUNTAIN LONGLEAF PINE
Mountain longleaf pine forests are a critically endangered component of the once vast longleaf pine forests of the Southeast. The present mountain longleaf forest exists as patches within a fire-suppressed and fragmented landscape. Estimates in 1996 indicated that 98,550 acres of mountain longleaf remained with 80% of it located in Alabama. Isolated stands can be found within the Talladega and Shoal Creek Ranger Districts of the Talladega National Forest, Cheaha State Park and Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama, Lavender Mountain near Rome, GA, and on private lands in both north Alabama and Georgia. Most stands are highly degraded, with a few old individuals interspersed among younger trees. Harvesting of the original longleaf stands and suppression of fire caused mountain longleaf forests to not regenerate and lose most of their inherent diversity. Where stands do exist, fuel has accumulated to dangerous levels, making re-introduction of renewing fire a very risky prospect.

Fortunately one pristine example of mountain longleaf remains and this site will be showcased as part of the conference's field trip. The new 9,000-acre Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge contains the finest remaining stands of mountain longleaf pine. The Refuge was created from a portion of Fort McClellan, a military base that was closed in 1999. Thanks to frequent fires resulting from military training exercises, much of this forest is in ideal condition.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
The general sessions and tour will focus on management needs, successes and opportunities as related to mountain longleaf. The poster sessions will be open to a wide range of topics related to mountain longleaf and will be used to foster partnerships between individuals and organizations in the public and private sectors. Emphasis will be placed on addressing silvicultural, ecological, social/political and economic issues challenging landowners and resource managers interested in the management and restoration of mountain longleaf pine.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This meeting is open to individuals and organizations with interest in mountain longleaf pine and associated plant and animal communities: including private landowners, managers, consultants, conservation groups, university researchers and outreach personnel, forest industry and agency personnel.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
The conference will offer 10.5 Category 1 Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits authorized by the Society of American Foresters.

LOCATION & HOST MOTEL
The conference will be held at the Leone Cole Auditorium on the campus of Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. Directional maps will be sent to all registrants and will be available on the following web sites: http://www.longleafalliance.org/ and http://www.jsu.edu/depart/biology/.

A block of rooms has been reserved at The Jameson Inn (256-835-2170) located at 161 Colonial Drive in Oxford, AL at a group rate of $61.05/night including tax for one king bed or 2 double beds. Reservations should be made by October 1st to ensure the conference rate. "JSU" is the code to receive the group rate. Directions: Exit I-20 at exit 188 and go north 0.1 miles on Golden Springs Road to US 78. Turn left on US 78 for 0.1 miles to Colonial Drive.

CALL FOR POSTERS
The poster sessions will be a very important component of the conference. Posters will involve invited and volunteer papers emphasizing management, ecological, economic and research topics related to mountain longleaf. Five poster presenters will be selected to present oral presentations in the General Session on Friday morning October 17. Those selected will be notified approximately three weeks prior to the conference. Please indicate if you do not want to be selected for an oral presentation. Abstracts (250 words) for posters are due October 1, 2003. Extended abstracts (3 pages) will be due prior to the meeting and compiled in a proceedings distributed at the conference. Address inquiries and send abstracts to:

John Kush
School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences
108 M. White Smith Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5418
(334) 844-1065
Fax (334) 844-1084
kushjoh@auburn.edu

EXHIBITORS & VENDORS
Contact Mark Hainds at 334-427-1029 hainds@alaweb.com for information on fees and facilities.

REGISTRATION
The registration fee for this conference is $175. The registration fee includes conference materials, breaks, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 2 socials, and transportation for the field trip. This fee will be discounted by $25 if paid by October 1, 2003. Students may register for a special fee of $100. Registration for individual days is $75 for October 15 or 17 and $100 for the field trip on October 16.

POST CONFERENCE TOUR
A post conference field tour is being planned. Information will be sent to individuals who register for the Conference.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONFERENCE CONTACT:

W. Peter Conroy/Denise Davis, Conference Coordinators
Environmental Policy & Information Center
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Road North
Suite 246 Martin
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602
(256) 782-8010
Fax (256) 782-5817
ddavis@jsucc.jsu.edu

Dean Gjerstad
School of Forestry &Wildlife Sciences
108 M. White Smith Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
(334) 844-1020
Fax (334) 844-1084
gjerstad@auburn.edu

Rhett Johnson
Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center
Rt. 7, Box 131
Andalusia, AL 36420
(334) 222-7779
Fax (334) 222-0581
johnsee@auburn.edu

AGENDA OVERVIEW:
OCTOBER 15-17, 2003

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS WILL CONSIST OF LEADING LONGLEAF EXPERTS.

Wednesday October 15, 2003
8 - 10 a.m. Registration & poster/Vendor Setup
Morning Welcomes & key note address on mountain longleaf
Afternoon General Session: Invited speakers discussing unique attributes of mountain longleaf, use of fire, smoke management, wildlife management, artificial regeneration, and an industrial perspective
Evening Social: Alumni House, JSU Campus

Thursday October 16, 2003
Field Tour - Buses depart from Leone Cole Auditorium at 8:00 a.m. and return after dinner at 8:00 p.m. (Transportation provided). Site visits will be made to the Talladega National Forest and the recently created Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge. Topics: Natural & artificial regeneration, fire, stand management, restoration techniques, silvicultural methods plus field exhibits of equipment and methods.
5:30 - 8 p.m. Social, dinner & entertainment at The Barn in Jacksonville

Friday October 17, 2003
Morning General Session: Presentations by five poster presenters. Panel discussions involving industries, agencies, organizations and individuals involved in managing mountain longleaf forests.
12 Noon Conference Adjourns

** All sessions will be held at the Leone Cole Auditorium on the Jacksonville State University campus.

SPEAKERS (Partial Listing):
· Office of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions
· Mr. Tim Boyce, Alabama State Forester
· Mr. Bob Lazenby, Director, Georgia Forestry Commission
· Dr. Doug Phillips, Discovering Alabama
· Dr. John Kush, Auburn University
· Dr. Dave Van Lear, Clemson University
· Mr. David Frederick, Alabama Forestry Commission
· Mr. Johnny Stowe, South Carolina DNR
· Mr. Mark Hainds, The Longleaf Alliance
· Dr. Jon Caulfield, Forest Economist
· Mr. Sam Hopkins, Gulf States Paper Corporation
· Mr. Earl Stewart, USDA Forest Service
-Mr. Bill Garland, US Fish & Wildlife Service

To download announcement , click here
To download registration form, click here