PULLMAN, Wash.–Researchers from 50 countries around the world meet at Washington State University July 7-12 for a conference to discuss how to best use the planet’s forest resources.
The session’s theme is “Forest Products for Sustainable Forestry.” Research to improve use of the forest resource is essential both to using it effectively for the social and economic well-being of people everywhere and to sustaining it for many environmental benefits, says Christian Sales, coordinator for the International Union of Forest Research Organizations.
Nearly 300 scientists and policy-makers are expected to attend the meetings.
The program includes a wide range of topics, including the properties of different wood species, the production of energy and chemicals from forest biomass, nondestructive testing developments, wood recycling and use of nonwood materials.
Chairing the conference is Tom Maloney, director emeritus of the WSU Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory. Local members of the organizing committee include David Baumgartner, WSU extension forester, program and conference tours, and Rylee Dustin and Barbara Rayburn, WSU Conferences and Institutes.
Registration is scheduled Sunday in the Compton Union Building. A formal opening ceremony with Nez Perce Tribe members participating will take place at 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Delivering conference keynote addresses will be Jaime A. Pinkham, a Nez Perce Tribal Council member and former president of the Inter-tribal Timber Council board; Bunichiro Tomita, University of Tsukuba, Japan; Norman E. Johnson, Weyerhaeuser Co., Tacoma; and Christian Barthod, Department of Forest Health, France.
Tuesday’s sessions on sustainable forestry include a presentation by Jennifer Belcher, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands.
ar182
