Conference Theme – Finding the “Ability” in Sustainability

The issues surrounding sustainability, what it means, and what it looks like, are gaining increased attention both domestically and internationally. A variety of interpretations, definitions and opinions surround the ways in which it is approached at local, state, national, and international scales. However, it is becoming an increasingly important topic, and the Cooperative Extension System, to remain relevant, must be at the forefront of sustainability education efforts.

Give Us Your Input On Sustainability

The theme of this year's ANREP conference is sustainability. Please help ANREP Vice-president Viviane Simon-Brown and ANREP's National Network for Sustainable Living Education prepare a plenary presentation and poster for the conference by answering a few anonymous questions. Thank you in advance for your time. Please click on this link for the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=815151671549.

Who Should Attend?

Natural resource extension professionals are encouraged to attend, along with those who work with or would like to partner with these educators. ANREP (the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals) members and non-members are welcome. Subject areas dealt with in past conferences include environmental education, fisheries, wildlife, range, forestry, forest products, toxicology, ecotourism, water conservation and quality, sustainable living, sea grant, public policy, nature interpretation, watershed planning, ecological economics, and rural development. The primary audience typically consists of three groups: 1) Extension personnel at state 1862, 1890 and 1994 Land Grant and Sea Grant Institutions (county faculty, county directors, district directors, specialists, department chairs, state program leaders and state directors); 2) National program leaders, and other staff with the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; 3) Natural resource educators from other governmental agencies and private not-for-profit organizations.

Conference Purpose

The purpose of this conference is to help Extension professionals and those who work with them share their programming successes and challenges and learn from others – to facilitate communication, cooperation and networking among natural resource Extension educators. This interaction will strengthen Extension program needs assessment, development, delivery, and impact evaluation skills, thus enabling participants to better address traditional and emerging issues important to a diverse clientele. Sharing of information and experiences will foster multi-state, multi-institutional, and global collaborations. Other important outcomes include building a cohesive, structured, multi-disciplinary support base for Extension natural resource programs in the future, and enhancing the visibility, credibility, and relevance of natural resource programs in the context of Extension's overall mission.

Conference Location

The conference will be held at the Canyons Resort in Park City, UT. Located just 4 miles from historic Main Street, The Canyons is the closest Park City ski resort to the Salt Lake City International airport yet close enough to enjoy all the nightlife, dining and shopping that the town of Park City has to offer.

With non-stop flights from over 70 U.S. cities into Salt Lake City International airport, it's easy to get to The Canyons from just about anywhere. Once you land, you can arrive at the Canyons in 40 easy minutes by bus, taxi or car.

Conference Structure

Go to http://anrep2006.org/Agenda.cfm to view the conference agenda. The conference structure this year includes an initial plenary session with several invited speakers addressing topics related to the conference theme of sustainability. Our keynote speakers are Ruth McWilliams, National Sustainable Development Coordinator for the USDA Forest Service, and Dr. Okechukwu Ukaga, Executive Director of the Northeast Minnesota Sustainable Development Partnership with the University of Minnesota. They will be addressing the topic of Getting Serious about Sustainability from domestic and global perspectives, respectively. This will be followed by concurrent sessions, field trips/workshops, and a final plenary session covering sustainability and natural disasters, as well as an ANREP meeting and awards presentations.