FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           CONTACT: Holly Preston, (706) 542-7193

May 17, 2000

SOUTHERN FORESTRY CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON GIS USES IN FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

        The Third Southern Forestry GIS Conference (SOFOR GIS 2000) will be held October 10-12 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Georgia. The conference will focus on innovative uses of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in forest resource management.

        Sponsored by the Georgia Center, UGA's Warnell School of Forest Resource, Extension Service - Southern Region, and Forest Resources Systems Institute, the event will begin on Tuesday, October 10 with pre-conference workshops. The SOFOR GIS 2000 conference on October 11-12 will bring together forest industry professionals, consultants, extension specialists, forest landowners, researchers, educators, students, public land managers, and natural resource conservation group members to discuss the application of GIS and GIS techniques. Sessions will provide attendees with up-to-date information for anyone using or contemplating the use of GIS in forestry and associated natural resources management.

        To register or for more information on the SOFOR GIS 2000 conference, call (706) 542-2134 or (800) 884-1381, or visit the website at www.soforgis.net