Conference news: Short rotation woody crops

Sept. 13, 2010, Syracuse, N.Y. – Short rotation woody crops (SRWC) are being developed as a sustainable
supply of woody biomass for the production of bioenergy, biofuels and
bioproducts as well as for traditional solid wood and fiber products.
Interest in SRWC has developed in the past because of multiple
environmental and rural development benefits associated with their
production and use, and most recently because of increasing concerns
about dependence on and impacts associated with the consumption of
fossil fuels.

As a result of increasing interest in SRWC, the amount of
related activity is expanding rapidly. The 8th Biennial Short Rotation
Woody Crops Operations Working Group conference is an excellent forum to
learn about the latest developments in the science, production,
harvesting, use and policies related to SRWC. The conference will also
explore challenges and opportunities of successful commercialization of
SRWC as a source of fiber or as an energy feedstock material. Please
join us in Syracuse, N.Y. from October 17 to 19, 2010, to learn more about
SRWC and their role in the growing renewable energy economy and
traditional forest industries.

A field trip included in the conference will highlight a demonstration of the Case New Holland single pass cut and chip harvesting system
and a stop at a large scale alternative cover project using shrub
willows. Post-conference tours will include stops at a pellet
manufacturing facility, a wood-fired combined heat and power facility
and hybrid poplar and willow plantations in New York State and Ontario,
Canada.

This conference and field trips will be submitted for review for CFE's.

The conference will be held adjacent to the State University of New
York College of Environmental Science and Forestry campus in Syracuse,
NY at the Syracuse University Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center.
Check the Short Rotation Woody Crops Operations Working Group's website and the conference's website for an updated program and more information. Please contact Maura Harling Stefl (Program Specialist, Outreach Office, SUNY-ESF) at mhstefl@esf.edu or +1 (315) 470-6817 with any questions.