The University of Georgia will host the 2015 Georgia Water Resources Conference, a biennial forum to discuss issues facing the state’s water resources, on April 28-29 at the UGA Hotel and Conference Center. 

The conference was spurred by a 1984 statewide water forum led by Georgia State University and formed with funding from the Georgia Water Research Institute at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Held every other year since 1989, the open forum is a vital way for scientists, policymakers, students and other stakeholders to discuss the state’s water resources, current water policies, research and water management. 

“Water has always been an interesting and challenging topic in Georgia, and the Water Resources Conference is the place where the latest information about water is presented,” said Rob McDowell, conference coordinator. “It’s the only time and place in Georgia where farm water use, climate change, water conservation, water policy, stream ecology and any other water topics you can think of are discussed and debated for two to three days. It’s an important event for our state and the University of Georgia.”

The conference is being organized by the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources in cooperation with a number of state agencies and university departments.

The conference will feature oral discussions, poster presentations, panel discussions and workshops. Panel topics include climate change and coastal issues, urban water quality, nutrient management, the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, hydrologic monitoring, floodplain management and flood risk assessment, the Savannah River and harbor, river basin management challenges and agricultural water usage. 

To register or for more information on how to submit a poster or manuscript for review, see www.gawrc.org. Conference rates increase after April 27.