Dear All The Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR), in proud association with IUFRO, announces that registration has opened for our Research Symposium: Underpinning sustainable tree plantations in Southern Africa. This event will take place on Friday 4 September 2015 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban South Africa, and is a pre-congress meeting linked to the World Forestry Congress held the following week (7-11 September) at the same venue. The World Congress theme is “Forests and People – Investing in a Sustainable Future” and aims to address some of the key developing issues facing forestry globally, as well as promoting the value of forestry as an investment and development sector of the future (www.wfc2015.org.za) The Forestry Research Symposium offers the opportunity to focus specifically on research issues and will present a position paper at the Congress highlighting the current and future importance and impact of forestry research in the region. The Symposium programme comprises a list of invited speakers; leaders and research specialists, who will showcase the depth and breadth of forestry research across South Africa. Our keynote speaker is South Africa’s National Minister for Science and Technology, Minister Nalini Pandoor, and other invited speakers include IUFRO President, Prof Mike Wingfield, FORNESSA’s Dr Joe Cobbinah and a number of top South African research scientists and leaders. Presentation topics include the following: · Linking research to policy: The international forestry agenda · IUFRO Strategy: 2015-2019 · Forestry in South Africa: The role of government · The Southern African Forestry Research and Development Landscape · Research in support of a changing forest sector · Forests of the Future - Role of classical tree breeding research · Forests of the Future - Role of molecular breeding and its application in plantation forestry · Site specific application of tree growing practices in South Africa · Biologically sustainable production from industrial wood plantations - the challenges · Forests at Risk: Pest and Pathogen threats · Forests at Risk: A changing climate · How can the forestry sector make best use of the water it is allocated? · Assessing the contribution of industrial plantations to carbon stocks · Sustainability, certification and license to operate; the research needs · Ensuring industrial plantation crops do not become invasive noxious weeds · Obtaining more value from the supply chain; research opportunities · Application of remote sensing to management of industrial wood plantations · Industrial wood plantations as an energy and chemical feedstock · Information and technology needs of smaller scale tree growers · Role of forest research networks in Africa · Forestry education and training to support a changing forest sector · Public-private partnerships for building a research foundation The event also provide a valuable information sharing and networking forum and an excellent opportunity for international and national participants to engage in dialogue in support of growing collaboration and partnerships. RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM DETAILS DATE: Friday, 4 September 2015 VENUE: International Convention Centre, Durban All are welcome, and delegates can register and find further details at www.fao.org/about/meetings/world-forestry-congress/programme/precongress-ev… For any queries or comments please contact Sally Upfold sally.upfold(a)icfr.ukzn.ac.za. Sally J Upfold, Knowledge Manager Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) UKZN Campus, Carbis Road, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg P O Box 100281, Scottsville 3209, South Africa Tel: 033 - 3862314, Fax: 033 - 3868905 Cell: 082 570 0851 E-mail: sally.upfold(a)icfr.ukzn.ac.za Website: www.icfr.ukzn.ac.za Twitter: @ICFR_SA