Final announcement: Natural Forests and Woodlands Symposium

The theme for the symposium is “Towards sustainable natural resource management in a changing environment” (Picture: Mitzi du Plessis)

The Fifth Natural Forests and Woodlands Symposium  will be held from 10 – 14 April 2011 at The Richards Hotel, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It will be hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

The need to hold symposia focussing on natural forests and woodlands was identified at the National Conference for Conservation Forestry in October 1997. By presenting these series of symposia, DAFF endeavours to promote the sustainable use and management of natural forests and woodland resources.

The Symposium will build on the successes of the previous symposia. The programme will consist of five main sessions with the following main themes: Ecology and management; Protection; Sustainable resource utilisation and economics; Monitoring and inventory; and Policy and socio-economic issues. In addition to the scientific programme, the symposium will include a full-day field excursion.

DAFF regards this symposium as of critical importance to the sector and the sustainable management of our country’s natural resources. The programme will provide an opportunity to further common understanding about the key subject areas of the symposium and to facilitate communication among participants.

The symposium will also expose young scientists, researchers and learners to the sector with the aim of addressing the sector’s current lack of capacity and skills.

Registration

The registration fee will be ZAR 990.00 per person for the symposium and field excursion and ZAR 750.00 per person for the symposium only. Student registration fee will be ZAR 650.00 per person for the symposium and field excursion and ZAR 550.00 per person for the symposium only. The fees include teas/coffee, lunches, all three social functions, programmes, abstract booklet and a copy of the conference proceedings. Registration fees are payable by means of bank deposit.

Banking details:

Bank: Standard Bank

Branch: Arcadia

Account no: 011278196

Branch code: 010845

(please use delegate name as reference preceded by NFWS )

Delegates are requested to complete the Registration form and return the form to the Symposium Organiser no later than 18 March 2011. Registration forms can be submitted by fax or e-mail to:
E-mail: ronaldh@daff.gov.za
Fax: +27 12 336 6656

For more information please contact the Symposium Chair, Dr Ronald Heath at:
Phone: +27 12 336 6981
Cell: +27 83 611 6946
E-mail: ronaldh@daff.gov.za