International symposium convenes on weed control
Original Article in Hawaii 24/7 here: http://www.hawaii247.com/2011/09/11/international-symposium-convenes-on-weed-control/
Posted on 11:49 pm, Sunday, September 11, 2011.
MEDIA RELEASE
About 200 invasive weed experts from around the world have convened for the XIII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds.
The symposium runs through Friday, Sept. 16 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. This international conference is held once every four years and is the premier international forum for scientists and managers working in biological control of weeds around the world.
Biological control, which utilizes natural plant enemies and/or diseases, is needed in natural and managed ecosystems worldwide as a tool for managing invasive plant species that are too widespread and expensive to control using herbicides and/or mechanical removal methods.
Although challenging to implement, effective biocontrol can provide long-term, large-scale, highly selective control of otherwise prolific weeds. Current research methods thoroughly test potential biocontrol agents prior to release to ensure that they only attack the target weed and not other native or beneficial plants or animals.
“Biological control is a necessary tool for protecting our native forests from highly invasive plants,” said Tracy Johnson, PhD, research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USDA-FS) and co-chair of the symposium. “This meeting in Hawaii will provide a unique opportunity to draw on worldwide expertise to create new solutions for our worst weeds.”
“It is so appropriate that Hawaii hosts this important symposium since the biological control of weeds actually began in Hawaii,” said Neil Reimer, PhD, Plant Pest Control manager for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA). “With the tight economy and the Department of Agriculture’s diminished resources, the collaboration between states and nations becomes even more important.”
The Kingdom of Hawaii was a world leader in biocontrol with successful introductions of a beetle to control cottony cushion scale in 1890. After Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1900, biological control methods progressed with the introduction of several insect species to control lantana in 1902.
Since then, researchers in Hawaii continue to be internationally recognized in biological control of weeds and plant pests and have collaborated with colleagues worldwide on the biological control of invasive weeds such as miconia, fireweed, fountain grass, banana poka, ivy gourd and gorse, among others.
Many of those who have collaborated with Hawaii researchers are attending the conference from the U.S. mainland and countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, Costa Rica, and South Africa.
The conference is hosted by HDOA, USDA-FS, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo Conference Center.
Sponsors of the conference include: USDA-FS Pacific Southwest Research Station, Hawaii County Department of Research & Development, Hawaiian Electric Company & Hawaii Electric Light Company, Landcare Research Manaaki Whenua (New Zealand), U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center, Hawaii Forest and Trail, Destination Hilo, HDOA, Maui Invasive Species Committee, University of Hawaii at Hilo Conference Center.
For further information, visit: http://isbcw2011.uhhconferencecenter.com/
Treatment of the Consequences of Substance Abuse and Addiction, Continuing Education Program – CME, CPE, and AANP CE
December 16 – 18, 2011
Fairmont Orchid Hotel
http://uhhpharmace.uhhconferencecenter.com/
Target Audience:
- APRN Nurses and Physician Assistants
- Physicians and Pharmacists
Session Content
- Part 1: Overview & Background of Substance Abuse & Addiction
- Part 2: Treatment of Addiction – Ethanol & Nicotine
- Part 3: Treatment of Addiction – Opioids, Cocaine and Other Types of Addiction (e.g. gambling addiction) & Treatment of Acute Intoxication and Symptoms of Withdrawal Induced by Substance Use
DBEDT – ePermitting Wizard Workshop
Renewable Energy Permitting Wizard
County Agency Input Session
July 11, 2011
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hilo Hattie Store | 700 N. Nimitz Highway | Honolulu, HI
Invitation to Attend!
For More Information & to Register, Click here!
The Hawai‘i State Energy Office within DBEDT invites you to attend an all-county agency session to get your input on the online Permitting Wizard currently being developed by the Energy Office, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and contractor, PB Americas. The Wizard is designed to identify all county, state, and federal permits needed for a renewable energy project based on input provided by the user online.
Your input from this session will enable the Wizard to more accurately describe the processes and requirements for each permit, hopefully providing all agencies better prepared and informed applicants. The Wizard will be modified according to feedback received from this session. A questionnaire will be provided at the session for you to take home and return via mail or email at your convenience.
We invite anyone from your agency or other agencies to attend. Please feel free to send this invite to other county agencies or staff members you feel should attend. Maximum participation is desired.
U.S. Geological Survey 2012 Symposium on Volcano Observatory Science
The U.S. Geological Survey 2012 Symposium on Volcano Observatory Science has been cancelled.
2009 Pacific Business News “Businesswoman of the Year” Finalist
Awards Ceremony, 2009 PBN Finalists
UH Hilo exec makes conference center a true marketing partner
Premium content from Pacific Business News
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2009, 6:00pm HST
Judith Fox-Goldstein likes to joke that her job can be viewed as “creative chaos.”
She is the creator and director of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Conference Center.
The center opened in 1990 as a university project but is self-supporting, operating on grants and event fees and contracts.
It acts as an events-planning organization, putting on academic and business meetings throughout the state and coordinating special events inside and outside of the UH Hilo community. It also plans festivals and workshops, and handles UH Hilo’s commencement exercises each semester.
“We look at our unit as an extension of the university’s marketing department, as a way to help showcase UH Hilo,” Fox-Goldstein said.
She and a staff of seven, whom she refers to as “eventologists,” help plan everything from site location to accommodations for attendees to food and beverage and technical support for events and workshops. The center also interns UH Hilo students.“Judith has reinvented all the traditional concepts of what a nonprofit, government or university program can do to be competitive and to survive, especially during difficult economic times,” a colleague said. “She leads by example and has an exhausting — and inspiring — work ethic that sets the standard for everyone who works with her.”
The conference center also runs the Hawaiian EDventure Travel Program, which coordinates learning tours for out-of-state visitors.
Click here for the original article in “Pacific Business News”
Click here to go to Judith’s biography
CFEE Certification Program
Judith Fox-Goldstein, Administrative Director of the University of Hawai`i at Hilo Conference Center and Hawaiian EDventure, became a Certified Festival and Events Executive (CFEE) through IFEA’s (International Festivals and Events Association) professional program.
Click here to go to Judith Fox-Goldstein’s biography
