July 6 - 9, 2008

Welcome

The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service welcome you to the 2008 Western Region Joint Summer Meeting in Fairbanks, Alaska, July 6-9, 2008. For those who have not been to Alaska, you will experience majestic scenery. If you have not visited the interior, the Tanana Valley will give you a much different perspective of the expansive landscape in between major mountain ranges that make up the Yukon watershed. Fairbanks is truly the Golden Heart of Alaska.

Fairbanks began as a center for mining in 1903, largely by accident but strategic in location. Commercial agriculture began in Alaska in the Tanana Valley to support the mining industry. Logging of the interior's boreal forests was critical for construction, fuel for riverboats and railroads, as well as fuel to warm the soils to extract gold from frozen pits. Over one hundred years later, Fairbanks has a diversified economy, with oil, gas, gold and coal mining, military, tourism, health care and the University of Alaska as major economic drivers to support a hub of nearly 85,000 residents and most northern communities.

Agriculture includes diversified production from small grains and hay to vegetable, fruit and floral crops. A geothermal source used for heat and power is adding a new dimension to the greenhouse industry and is an interesting consideration for alternative energy production in Alaska. Interest is also increasing in local forests for timber production as well as for renewable energy production in solid and liquid fuels. Non-timber products include berries with their potential for use in a variety of products, including neutraceuticals.

Purpose of the 2008 Conference

The Western Regional Joint Summer Meeting brings together deans, directors, academic heads, program chairs, CARET representatives and others associated with land grant mission leadership in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the insular islands of the American Pacific. "Energizing the West" is this year's conference theme. The conference will offer networking opportunities and discussions of policy relevant to issues important to the land grant universities as they diversify their participation in instruction, research, and outreach to a rapidly changing population profile in the west.

The reception at the University of Alaska's Museum of the North will introduce you to the history of Alaska. In the first plenary session, state and university leaders will provide an overview of Alaska's position in energy in international and national communities and Alaska's local economies. Our second plenary will introduce you to the School, Experiment Station, and Cooperative Extension Service in a series of vignettes that will provide ample opportunity for questions and discussions. On the field tour, you'll visit reindeer and muskoxen, view the trans-Alaska pipeline, and perhaps see permafrost. Our tour will culminate at Chena Hot Springs Resort, site of Chena Power, using geothermal energy to the resort's facilities and greenhouses as a demonstration for Alaska's communities on use of alternative energy that could help rural areas be more self-sufficient. Bring your swim suits to soak in the springs, and be prepared to enjoy appletinis in the Ice Museum. We've designed our final day for maximum interaction among all groups so we hope you plan to stay to participate.

A unique opportunity to interact with Western Mid-Managers Conference attendees will occur in the joint day-long tour to Chena Hot Springs. Participants will also attend a joint breakfast to recognize Western Region Excellence in Extension Award Recipients. At the Western Mid-Managers Conference a panel of Cooperative Extension Directors from three states will share their perspective of the role of mid-managers and how to prepare employees to move from programmatic to administrative roles.

Please use the links to our event planner to align your travel arrangements with our lodging and registration. For those wishing to spend additional time in Fairbanks and surrounding areas in Alaska, you can secure options for pre- and post-tours and lodging with the links to our event planner as well. It is the height of the summer tour season in Alaska, and using these links will ensure accommodations at the lowest price as part of our service to help make this a memorable trip to Alaska for you both during and beyond the conference. We look forward to seeing you in Alaska in July.

For questions or other information, please contact:

Carol Lewis, Dean & Director Marilyn Childress, Administrative Assistant School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences Phone: (907) 474-7083 Fax: (907) 474-6567 Email: fysnras@uaf.edu

Pete Pinney, Interim Director Sarah Hetrick, Administrative Assistant Cooperative Extension Service Phone: (907) 474-7246 Phone: (907) 474-6971 Email: extension@uaf.edu