Date

For more information on the Forests of the Northern Lights Conference
being held at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 20-22 September 2002, please visit
the web site:

http://www.borealnet.org

or for information on abstract submission please contact:
Michelle Forrest
email: michelle.forrest [at] shawbiz.ca
phone: 204/947-3081

ORAL OR POSTER ABSTRACTS DUE: 15 July 2002
NOTICE OF SELECTION: 31 July 2002
PAPER DEADLINE: 15 September 2002


Forests of the Northern Lights Academic Mini-Conference
Winnipeg, Manitoba
20-22 September 2002

This conference is timely and necessary as policy analysts and decision
makers reshape legislation to deal with the effects of climate change
and the environmental degradation of the boreal. Forests of the Northern
Lights conference will bring researchers and managers from around the
world who are concerned about the future of this important ecosystem.
The discussion will include, but is not limited to, ethical practices
and the environment, Indigenous People's traditional knowledge, forestry
management policies and practices, environmental sciences, climate
change, mapping practices and a new vision for the boreal forest in the
future.

TOPICS:
Identifying and Protecting: This theme attempts to go beyond ecological
definitions employed in current mapping projects of the boreal forest.
Subjects that could be explored include: what other values should be
included when mapping; should gateway communities have a place in the
process, what stakeholders are the monitors of the process and should
other be included.

Climate Change: Under current scientific modeling the boreal forests
will experience disproportionately high levels of climate-associated
change. This could result in diverse and sweeping impacts on boreal
forest ecosystems and the livelihoods of people who live in the boreal.
This theme explores the value of boreal forests in the regulation of
the global climate and carbon storage, examines current stresses from
human impacts, and explores strategies that will help to mitigate
climate change and at the same time conserve ecosystem integrity in the
boreal.

Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous People in the boreal are facing
substantial environmental destruction within their territories, stemming
from a lack of jurisdiction over their lands. The resulting industrial
deforestation, climate change, mining and hydroelectric development are
occurring within their territories without their consent. This theme
investigates the relationship between the boreal forest and Indigenous
People - past, present and future including protecting cultural and
biological diversity to create healthy sustainable Aboriginal Nations.

Competing to Coexisting: Current practice and industry values present
all forest ecosystems as an exploitable, renewable resource in
competition with other values and uses. This theme will explore an
alternative vision that illustrates coexistence and includes the
spiritual, economic, traditional and environmental values of boreal
forests.

IMPORTANT DATES:
ORAL OR POSTER ABSTRACTS DUE: 15 July 2002
NOTICE OF SELECTION: 31 July 2002
PAPER DEADLINE: 15 September 2002

Poster specifications will be provided with notice of acceptance.
Poster presenters will be asked to submit a revised abstract for
publication in the conference proceedings.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
An abstract of no more than 300 words describing research objectives,
methods and results and how the new knowledge (information or tools) is
used or could be used in policy, planning and/or operations.

Submit your abstract as a Word or WordPerfect document by email to:
michelle.forrest [at] shawbiz.ca

Be sure to include:
1. The Title of your presentation
2. List of authors. Underline the name of the author(s) that will present.

If you have any questions or require assistance in the development of
your abstract, please contact Michelle Forrest at:
email: michelle.forrest [at] shawbiz.ca
phone: 204/947-3081

For information on the conference or BFN please visit our website at:
http://www.borealnet.org