National Extension conference comes to Fairbanks
June 22, 2010
907-474-5406
6/22/10
Nearly 200 Cooperative Extension employees from more than 35 states will attend the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals national conference June 27–30 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The association includes active and retired Extension professionals working in environmental education, fisheries, forestry, range, recreation, water and related disciplines.
The ANREP conference theme is “Opportunities for Extension in a Changing Environment: Lessons from the Last Frontier.” Topics will include climate change education, consumer choices for sustainability, reaching youth audiences, engaging our stakeholders, working with diverse cultures, targeting watersheds and more.
Oscar Kawagley, a retired UAF associate professor of education, will give the keynote address on June 28, “Always Getting Ready.” Kawagley is considered an expert on indigenous knowledge systems. Fred Schlutt, director of UAF Cooperative Extension Service, and Frank Boteler, deputy director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, will welcome conference participants. Boteler will also speak about climate change and extension education.
In addition to a variety of workshops, registrants may participate in tours of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, Georgeson Botanical Garden and Chena Hot Springs’ geothermal operation. Study tours are also planned before and after the conference.
The conference will recognize former UAF Extension forester Bob Wheeler with the Bob Wheeler 5K Memorial Race, scheduled for 8:30-10 a.m. June 27 beginning in the Lola Tilly Commons parking lot. Wheeler, who died last June, was a dedicated runner. Participants may register from 5-7 p.m. June 24 at Patty Center or from 7:30-8 a.m. race day. The $15 entry fee includes a continental breakfast. Proceeds will be donated to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation in Wheeler's name. For more conference information and an agenda, visit www.anrep.org.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Mike Reichenbach, Extension educator, University of Minnesota Extension, at reich027@umn.edu or 218-726-6470.
ON THE WEB: www.uaf.edu/ces
DC/6-22-10/257-10