THE SECOND NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GRAZING LANDS!

The first one was an overwhelming success!  So, don't miss out on the second National Conference on Grazing Lands!! 

You are invited to be part of the Second National Conference on Grazing Lands (2NCGL).  The conference is being hosted by the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), the Society for Range Management (SRM), and a number of other sponsoring organizations.  The conference objectives are "To Heighten Awareness of the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Grazing Lands," and its theme is "Harmonize with America's Grazing Lands," in keeping with Nashville's being "Music City, USA."  Target audiences include consumers, conservationists, environmentalists, urban based resource interests, grazing land managers, landowners and others interested in effective natural resources management.  Cooperators and other attendees are expected to come from the public sector (natural resource agencies and entities), and from the private sector (agricultural and natural resource entities, the farming and livestock industry, and environmental conservation organizations).

 The conference is designed to provide a forum for discussions and exchange of information, technology transfer, identification of research and program needs, marketing of products, services, and other benefits of grazing.  It will endeavor to increase public awareness of the economic benefits and environmental opportunities of grazing lands and create a setting for the exploration of means to address common goals and needs.  Farmers and ranchers are particularly encouraged to present.  Poster boards will be provided for poster presentations.  The conference sponsors are accepting abstracts for oral and poster papers in the following categories:

o  The building of partnerships between agricultural, grazing and urban communities.

o  Successful "cutting edge" management technologies for grazing practices.

o  Economic and public policy implications of grazing.

o  The optimizing of grazing land health for environmental and social benefits.            

All accepted papers are eligible for publication in the conference proceedings.  To submit your abstract, prepare a 400 word, or less, description of your presentation, and indicate oral or poster.  Abstract deadline is February 1st, 2003.  Include your name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address with your abstract and mail, fax or email to John W. Peterson, 2NCGL Program & Conference Manager, 9304 Lundy Court, Burke, VA  22015-3431.  John’s telephone no. is 703-455-6886 or 4387, fax 703-455-6888, e-mail jwpeterson@erols.com.  Abstracts will not be returned.  Notification of accepted abstracts will start in May 2003.  Presenters are responsible for providing their own conference travel, registration and other expenses.

Join us in Nashville in 2003!