Society of American Foresters 2008 National Convention: "Forestry Education & Science: Our Competitive Edge".

Join us in Reno, Nevada, November 5-9, 2008 and be at forestry's crossroads for very important learning and networking at a critical time for forestry and natural resources leadership in our Nation and World. You can still register on line at SAF's website until Friday October, 24, 2008. Or you can call 1-866-897-8720 to register. You can also walk in and register at our Convention site.

In Michael Goergen, Jr., Executive Vice President and CEO, Society of American Foresters view, "The world is vastly changing. I urge you to come and see first hand how the forestry profession is adapting and creating solutions for our future."

As we travel to SAF's 2008 National Convention we need to reflect on the importance of our forests in supplying clean water, air, biodiversity; supplying renewable materials and energy, in sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gasses and in their importance to our communities, economy, culture and well being.

To achieve SAF's and our nation's forestry agenda requires our members work in partnership with many allies and through our established SAF Working Groups.

One such partner is "The National Association of University Forest Resources Programs" who represents 69 of our nations most prestigious universities and their respective scientists, educators and extension specialists. They will be meeting at SAF 2008 and participating in our Convention activities.

Their motto "Creating Knowledge and Developing Leaders" partners with other public and private organizations missions and serves as a primary source of our SAF Working Group volunteers who attend our National Convention to celebrate Science Program successes and leaders as well as to discuss and form SAF's Science Agenda and priorities for the upcoming year.

SAF Working Group Officers meet Wednesday, November 5th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, to overview SAF's Science Program mission, issues and activities. They will celebrate Working Group successes and 2008 award winners, discuss linkage to SAF policy processes and policy committees. They will discuss initial 2009 Orlando SAF National Convention theme and program planning needs.

Specific SAF Working Group meetings are scheduled as follows;

Thursday, November 6th from 11:30 am to 1:15 pm A1 Inventory; 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm F4 Human Dimensions.

That afternoon from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Working Groups, A2 Remote Sensing & Photogrammerty; B1 Non Industrial Private Forestry; C2 Soils; C5 Wildlife and Fish Ecology; D2 Silviculture; D5 Entomology & Pathology; E2 Land Use Planning and Organization & Management; E3 Bio energy, Climate Change & Carbon; E6 Sustainability & Forest Certification; F1 Wilderness Management & Recreation; F5 Philosophy & History will meet.

Friday, November 7th, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Working Groups, B2 Urban and Community Forestry; B3 International Forestry & International Society of Tropical Forestry; B4 Agroforestry; D4 Fire; E1 Economics, Policy and Law; E4 Management Sciences & Operations Research; and F3 Outreach and Education meet.

Saturday, November 8th; from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm C3 Water Resources Working Group meets.

As 2008 draws to a close, we'll have a new President and his Administration and a new Congress who are and will continue to be looking to the professional forester and natural resource management leaders, scientists, teachers, practitioners to help solve and address with 21st Century solutions our Nation's challenges.

Visiting our popular Forestry Expo Exhibit Hall, Science Poster sessions and tapping into our Society of American Foresters Science Program capabilities and networks while learning of innovative and creative approaches at SAF 2008 in Reno, Nevada will expand your talents, networks and expertise. SEE YOU SOON!!