MESSAGE FROM JUNE 2005:

Welcome to another update on our 59th Annual Meeting in Vancouver. Over the next several months, we will be supply and update information on the program, associated activities, events and travel. This will help you plan as well as encourage you to attend what is bound to be an awesome week. At the bottom is the debut of our event identifier which compliments the Trail Boss – PNW logo (above) and our theme. A more colourful version can be found on the SRM website, http://www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml. It will lead you to even more information about the meeting and the Vancouver area. The web site will be updated regularly and, as in the past, be a key resource relative to program details, registration and activities. Thank you for casting your eyes along this piece. If you have any suggestions, or questions, please give Lynne or Greg a shout – email, phone, mail – and we will do our best to ensure you get the information you need.

Program at a Glance:

• Feb. 11, 2006 – Saturday:
  • Board of Directors meeting, BOD meeting with Committee Chairs (evening), Student plant exchange, High School Youth Forum Homeroom (afternoon)
  • Technical Tour: Agricultural and Wildlife Interactions in the Urban Interface – (full day) - The Fraser River Delta is an important agricultural and wildlife area. Located on the Pacific Flyway it hosts 1.5 million migratory birds and contains diverse habitats such as estuarine waters, freshwater marshes, upland field and woodlands.
• Feb. 12, 2006 – Sunday:
  • Committee meetings, Advisory Council meeting, Agency socials/receptions, Student (activities committee, conclave, employment workshop, mixer), High School Youth Homeroom, RTEC Symposium.
• Feb. 13, 2006 – Monday:
  • Plenary Session (morning), Trade show, Silent Auction, BOD meeting, Advisory Council meeting, Technical sessions, Symposia, Student URME exam, HSYF Homeroom, Tapping the Top, Trade Show Mixer.
  • Spousal/Guest Gathering: (1:30 to 4:30 pm) - Afun filled afternoon at the Douglas Reynolds Art Gallery which specializes in Northwest Coast Art, a wide selection of works by leading native artists.
• Feb. 14, 2006 – Tuesday:
  • Student Plant ID contest, HSYF paper presentations, Trade Show, Technical Sessions, Symposia, Professional Issues Luncheon, Past Presidents, founding and charter members luncheon, Dance.
  • Tour of the Vancouver Downtown area - (afternoon) - Includes Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown, the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre and much more.
• Feb. 15, 2006 – Wednesday:
  • Trade Show (morning), Technical Sessions (morning), Symposia (morning), Silent Auction (morning), HSYF Homeroom, Student paper presentations, SRM Membership Forum and Awards Ceremony(afternoon), President’s Reception, Banquet.
  • West Coast History and Aquatic Life Tour - (afternoon) – Experience a walk through time and witness the dramatic creation of Canada’s untamed western Province and magnificent rainforests. Hearken to the First Nation’s sacred stories of the spirit of man and nature.
• Feb. 16, 2006 – Thursday:
  • Technical Sessions, Symposia, Workshops June 2005 SRM Member Resource News 3
  • Technical Tour: Stanley Park – (morning) - Learn about managing one of the world’s greatest urban parks and third largest urban park in North America. The 400 hectare park incorporates wildlife, recreation, salmon habitat, storm water treatment, old growth forests and more.
  • Technical Tour: West Coast Rainforest and Salmon Hatchery Tour – (full day) – Learn how the Greater Vancouver Regional District manages its watershed, integrating drinking water, recreation, timber and habitat values. Visit the Seymour Fish Hatchery and end the day with an amazing view from the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge.
• Feb 17, 2006 – Friday:
  • Board of Directors Meeting
  • Tour to Victoria: - (A full day, 12 hour) – A trip to beautiful Victoria via the BC Ferries through the Gulf Islands. In Victoria visit the Butchart Gardens (55 acres of flora displays), Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Beacon Hill Park, the Parliament Buildings and explore Victoria’s inner Harbour.

 
Hotel Accommodations for the 59th Annual Meeting

HYATT REGENCY VANCOUVER

Hyatt Regency Vancouver 655 Burrard Street Vancouver, British Columbia Phone: (604) 683-1234 Fax: (604) 689-3707 Toll-Free reservations: (888) 421-1442 Direct hotel reservations: (604) 639-4820

Rates: $170 CAD - Single/Double/Triple/Quad Rates:$120.00 CAD - Gov't Be sure to ask for the "Society for Range Management" rate.

THE FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 900 West Georgia Street Vancouver, British Columbia Phone: (604) 684-3131 Fax: (604) 662-1929 Toll-Free Reservations: (800) 441-1414 Direct Hotel Reservations: (604) 684-3131 Email: hvc.reservations@fairmont.com

Rates: $170.00 CAD - Single/Double Rates: $120.00 CAD - Gov't Be sure to ask for the "Society for Range Management" rate.

Note: These rates are available for the three days prior to and following our Annual Meeting. On-line reservations for both hotels will be available soon @ www.rangelands.org

 
Printed Photo Exhibit at the 2006 SRM Meeting, Vancouver
A small exhibit of select photographs showing the beauty of the Rangeland Environment will be presented at the 2006 SRM meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia. The exhibit will present a total of 9 prints, one in each of 3 categories, rotated on each of 3 successive days of the meeting. All SRM members are eligible to submit up to two images in each of the three categories. The categories are: 1) landscape/scenic, 2) flora, and 3) fauna.

The only rules are that you must be an SRM member, images must be submitted on a CD, submit no more than two images per category, state which category each image represents, and the context of your images must be the Rangeland Environment. This is not a competition, not a sanctioned photographic contest, no critique or points will be awarded. The purpose of the exhibit is simply to display beauty within the Rangeland Environment through the photographic eye(s) of SRM members.

How to submit: All images must be submitted on a CD and suitably sized for a high quality (= high resolution) large print (at least 11'' x 14''; up to 20'' x 30''). A general guideline would be an image size of at least 11''x14'', 360dpi, 8bit, RGB, tif/psd. Check your image for sharpness, contrast, grain, hue, and saturation at this level of resolution. Hint: these will be the traits used to select the 9 images for ‘showing’. If your favorite photo is on film then you must get it scanned at an appropriate resolution for submission on a CD. Mail (no e-mail transmission please!) your labeled CD(s) with a papercopy cover letter to:

Jeff Miller
Department of Rangeland Resources
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-2218

Submit your images no later than December 2, 2005. After selecting the 9 images for printing all CD’s will be destroyed and the e-files will be deleted from any and all computer folders. In other words, your image will not be used for any other purpose and the CDs will not be returned. In the papercopy cover letter provide suitable contact information for (my) communication with you the photographer. Also, include information about the image (title, location, date, subject, photo technique, anecdotes, etc.). All images will be reviewed with a final selection of 3 images to represent each of the 3 categories. The Exhibition Prints will be produced by Jeff Miller, do not submit prints, e-files only.

At the Meeting: On each of 3 days, at locations yet to be determined, one print per category will be shown for at least an 8-hour viewing period. The prints will be given to the photographer following the meeting. If the photographer (or designated person) is not able to take the print then the print will either be: 1) mailed upon request and with prior payment for shipping, 2) placed into the auction, or 3) destroyed. Remember: You may submit up to two images per category and the deadline is a postmark of no later than December 2, 2005.

 
Ski Package
The SRM is happy to invite members and convention/trade show attendess to join us at the pristine ski resort Whistler, BC, Feb. 10–12. The SRM exclusive VIP package will include:

• 2 nights lodging in deluxe ski-in/ski-out accommodations
• Lift tickets
• Equipment rental
• Transportation to/from Vancouver

Package pricing is being negotiated at this time and further details will be made available within the next few weeks. At that time, full details and instructions on how to reserve your spot will be highlighted at www.peakpackages.com.

Please send a quick note of interest to lisam@peakpackage.com so we can provide the resort with an estimated headcount to ensure transportation and lodging availability. Include how many in your party would like to go and how many people/room (1-4). Peak Packages will handle all logistics (room assignments, billing, equipment reservations, etc). Feel free to send emails to Lisa, Peak Packages owner (email above) with any additional information you would like as you think about this exciting side trip. We look forward to seeing you out there!

This article was originally published in the June 2005 MRN.