Dear all,

We are excited by the amount of interest expressed in the IUFRO International Forest Biosecurity Conference 2009 to be held March 16-20 in Rotorua, New Zealand.

It will be our absolute pleasure to welcome you here.

This is a reminder that our call for papers closes 31 October, 2009 and early registration closes 30 November, 2009.

See www.forestbiosecurity.com for more information.

NEW: We are also offering grants of NZ$ 500.00 to assist students to attend the conference.

To apply for a grant, send us a 200-word summary of your research interests and why you wish to attend.
This is a limited offer available to 10 individuals. Submissions close on 31 October 2008.

Funding for these grants is made possible through the International Science and Technology Linkages Fund, administered by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

Send your submission to margaret.richardson@scionresearch.com


Biosecurity in a Global Context
The IUFRO International Biosecurity Conference 2009 will showcase advances in forest biosecurity research from around the world. Speakers will cover the range of issues associated with the exclusion, eradication or effective management of pests to protect the diverse benefits offered by forests.

Invited speakers from around the world include:
· Dr Mike Wingfield – FABI, South Africa
· Dr Mark Lonsdale – CSIRO, Australia
· Dr Hugh Evans – Forest Research, UK
· Mr Peter Thomson – Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, NZ
· Dr Alain Roques – INRA, France
· Dr Eckehard Brockerhoff – Scion, NZ
· Dr Andrew Liebhold – USDA Forest Service, USA
· Dr Enrico Bonello – Ohio State University, USA

This Conference provides a forum for forest entomologists, pathologists and vegetation management scientists, forest managers and policy makers to share knowledge, create networks and promote international actions.

Join us in exploring key questions such as:
· How do we model the impacts of weeds, insects and diseases on forest productivity?
· How do we define pests of the future and model the likelihood of their establishment?
· How do we stop pests moving around the world?
· Can we manage vegetation without herbicides?
· Can we manage quarantine pests without fumigants like methyl bromide?
· Are diverse forests more resistant to pest impacts?
· What are the best techniques for eradicating pests?

The conference incorporates:
· 6th International Forest Vegetation Management Conference.
· Workshop on managing the biosecurity threats to forests in a changing global environment.
· Working parties of IUFRO division 1 (silviculture), division 7 (forest health) and division 8 (environment).

Post conference tour:
Delegates who wish to make the most of their trip have the option of attending a week's tour of New Zealand's beautiful South Island.
Please indicate your interest in joining this tour (www.forestbiosecurity.com)

Tod Ramsfield, Ph.D.
Molecular Forest Pathologist

Forest Biosecurity and Protection
Scion*
Private Bag 3020
Rotorua
3046
New Zealand

Phone: 64-7-343-5534
Mobile: 64-27-366-1422
Fax: 64-7-348-0952
e-mail: tod.ramsfield@scionresearch.com

*Scion is the trading name of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute, Ltd.

International Forest Biosecurity Conference, 2009: http://forestbiosecurity.com/