Upcoming Events

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

The 16th International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) Conference

Shaw Conference Centre

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, October 7 to 10, 2013

Boreal Forests at Risk: From Boreal Science to Public Policy

The boreal forest is the world’s largest terrestrial biome, covering 8% of the world’s land surface and comprising 29% of the world’s forest cover. The boreal forest serves an important role in the global carbon cycle, provides significant economic and social benefits to many nations, provides important habitat for many species, and still contains large areas that remain free of direct human disturbance. Climate and other environmental changes in combination with increasing resource development pose serious risks to the future integrity of this great northern forest.

The 16th IBFRA Conference is being hosted by Natural Resources Canada and the University of Alberta. It will include keynote speakers, panel discussions and scientific sessions (oral and poster) exploring science and science-policy linkages relating to the circumpolar boreal forests. The conference will help resource managers and policy makers address future challenges. Topics will include advances in research and policy relating to important regional and global issues, including balancing resource use in the boreal with habitat and biodiversity objectives, strategies for mitigation of and adaptation to risks relating to a changing climate and changes in disturbance regimes, and socio-economic changes and impacts. Emphasis will be placed on the use of science to inform management practices and public policy in the boreal.

A one-day field excursion is planned for Oct. 7. A post-conference tour is planned and will provide opportunities to visit the boreal forests of western Canada, to discuss important issues in this region and to learn about research, policy and practices.

This promises to be an exciting IBFRA conference in a great location and venue!

Please mark your calendars.

A call for abstracts, website address, and more detailed information will be available in January 2013.