Exhibit Opportunities at MFA 2008 Annual Conference ~ Oct 31 and Nov 1

Open Invitation to to all Non-profit Organizations, Agencies and Businesses in Maryland's pro-forestry community

MFA's 2008 Annual Conference is now just a few months away. We invite you to join us October 31 and November 1st at the Loews Hotel in historic Annapolis, Maryland. This year's theme is Renewable Energy and the Role of Forests and Forestry.

We invite you to participate as an exhibitor. Loews is a great facility and ample networking breaks in the conference will give your exhibit plenty of viewing time. I&E Exhibitor rates are $200 and include exhibit space throughout the event, plus a complete registration for one person to attend all sessions, networking events and meals. Commercial Exhibitor rates are $500 and also include a complete registration for one person. Spaces will be assigned on a first paid basis. Forms can be downloaded at http://mdforests.org/i_and_e_ex_form2008.htm
and http://mdforests.org/com_exh_form.htm

We have a terrific line up of speakers to cover topics that are of center-stage importance to Maryland's forest community, including The Role of Forests in Biomass Energy Production and Renewable Energy Projects for Landowners as well as updates on State and National issues. Award-winning activist Bruce Vincent from Libby, MT will be our keynote speaker. The agenda has plenty of time built into it for Q&A with the speakers and discussion and networking with other attendees. The complete registration brochure is available online. (Click here)

We trust that you will see the benefits that your organization or business can gain by participating in this event and hope to hear from you soon. Deadline for Exhibitor registrations is September 30th.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we hope to see you in Annapolis!

Survey to assist with 2009 Conference Site selection

While the 2008 Annual Conference isn't coming until late October, it is already time to begin site selection for our 2009 Conference. We want to involve you in the process.

Please click on the link below and complete the 2 question survey (one question is regarding potential sites, the other asks you to chose the category that best fits you - e.g. Forest Landowner, Forester, etc.)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KZHDuEWjlLeeXzkJknowUA_3d_3d

We truly appreciate your assistance with this. It will only take you a couple of moments and will set us in the right direction for next year. You have until September 1, 2008 to respond.

2008 MFA Annual Conference Speaker featured in article

the article below features an interview with Bill Rodenberg, who will be one of the presenters and panelists at the 2008 MFA Annual Conference in Annapolis on November 1.

Making Hay From Woody Waste
Written By: Emily Badger

Biomass, for those areas with a reliable supply of woody waste, could be a dream source of renewable energy and the ideal enemy of carbon release. If only someone would try it

The state of Maryland spits out more than 800,000 tons a year of woody waste, or the tree trimmings from your yard, the carnage of heavy storms and the natural decay of urban parks and forests. Mother Natures refuse is given about the same empty value as whatevers in your kitchen trash can, and generally, it just sits there or is trucked to a landfill.

The stuff could, though, help solve the renewable energy search.

Forget about solar power, hydroelectric dams or windmills red herrings in the fight to replace fossil fuels, as one researcher calls them. The best answer may be biomass: woody waste and in slightly trickier forms cow manure and even municipal waste that could power and heat entire towns in the United States.

I have this belief that if something is logical, it will happen, energy consultant Bill Rodenberg said. If something is illogical, it will go away eventually. It just does not make sense to take our biomass, our municipal waste, and bury it in a landfill where it will emit greenhouse gases for the next 100 years.....
click here for rest of article.

Northeast IPM Center' s JULY 2008 issue of IPM Insights is now online. Visit this link to read all the articles

• The Honey Bee Puzzle. IPM experts look for ways to keep colonies healthy.
• IPM Educator Exchange Grants. Have you ever wanted to learn more about IPM but couldn't afford to travel to a meeting?
• IPM Resources. Brochures, posters, websites, and more.
• Reading, Writing, and IPM: Connecticut's new classroom environment and Moving toward IPM in all northeastern schools
• IPM Center's Liz Thomas Says Farewell
• New IPM Partnership Projects. In 2008, the Northeastern IPM Center awarded nearly $475,000 to support the following research and outreach projects in northeastern states.