International Forest Company (IFCO) and Dougherty & Dougherty Forestry Services in conjunction with the Forest Landowners Association will be hosting the first annual Southeast Regional Forest Resource Owner and Manager Conference at the Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta, Ga., on Oct. 28 and 29. 

This conference is held for the purpose of providing forest resource owners and managers in Georgia, Florida and Alabama with leading-edge updates in the areas of forest science, silviculture, wildlife and ecology, and forestry markets. Speakers at the conference include the top experts in forestry and related fields, and the venue and scheduling are intended to maximize networking, technology transfer and communication between resource owners, land managers and resource scientists and professionals.

“Currently, there are 24.8 million acres of forestland in Georgia, 16 million acres in Florida and 22.9 million acres in Alabama,” Wayne Bell, Chief Operating Officer of IFCO said. “Our main goal with this conference is to educate forest landowners and management professionals on important topics that will help ensure the sustainability of the 64 million acres of forestland in the southeast and the benefits they provide to our states for generations to come.” 

Educational topics will include Genetic Potential of Loblolly Pine; Effective Site Preparation and Seedling Deployment; Timber Stand Maintenance, Management and Protection; Successful Establishment of Longleaf Regeneration in the Red Hills of Georgia and Florida; and much more. 

The conference will last from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 29. Educational sessions, meals and networking opportunities for attendees will be provided in addition to a trade show where attendees can connect with professionals from all sectors of the forest industry. On the last day of the conference, each attendee will also have an opportunity to participate in a field tour to learn more about the latest in genetics and seedling production. 

Cost for registration is $110 per attendee. Registration will include a total of 12.5 hours of Continuing Forestry Education Credits and Continuing Logger Education Credits. To access the full schedule of events and registration information, visit http://www.forestlandowners.com/event/AdvancingForestManagement. Contact the Forest Landowners Association at 800-633-4506 or info(at)forestlandowners(dot)com.