Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia will host the 2011 Georgia Water Resources Conference, a biennial forum to discuss issues facing the state’s water resources, April 11-13 atthe Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel.
The conference will provide an ideal forum for environmental professionals, homeowner associations, farmers, foresters and local governments to discuss water issues, said Todd Rasmussen, a professor with the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, which is organizing the forum. “With water issues being so important to the future of the state, we hope to bring together everyone who feels that water needs to be managed wisely.”
The conference will feature oral discussions, poster presentations, panel discussions, workshops and field trips. Panel topics include: sustainable infrastructure, water planning and management at regional and state levels, resource assessments, stormwater management and mitigation, flooding response and impacts, drought occurrences and impacts, and water use estimation and efficiency.
Organizers are now taking student poster submissions for the conference. First, second and third prizes of $150, $100 and $50 respectively will be awarded for both best oral presentation and best poster.
To register or learn how to submit a poster or manuscript for review, see www.gawrc.org. Registering before March 11 offers the lowest registration fees. Students who volunteer to work during the conference can attend for free and will receive lunch and coffee breaks gratis.
The Georgia Water Resources Conference, held every other year since 1989, was spurred by a 1984 statewide water forum led by Georgia State University and formed with funding from the Georgia Water Research Institute. Previous conference proceedings can be found at http://www.gwri.gatech.edu/conferences/previous-gwrc-conferences.html.
The conference has grown every year, both in attendees and agencies participating in workshops and training sessions. It is now an open forum to discuss current water policies, research, projects and water management in Georgia. The 2009 conference featured 250 speakers, 400 manuscript reviewers and 40 students helping with sessions.
To reserve a room at the Georgia Center, see http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/cch/register/2011-georgia-water-resources-conference.
