About the SymposiumThe FAO1 defines plantations as “forests of introduced species and in somecases native species, established through planting or seeding, with few species,even spacing and/or even-aged stands”. There are approximately 109 millionha of plantations in the world that serve as important sources of wood and fibreto timber, pulp and paper processors. While these man made resourcescontribute significantly to the global forest industry they are often criticized fortheir impact on the natural environment.Plantations are included in global forest certification efforts and to date morethan 7 million ha of plantations have been certified by the Forestry StewardshipCouncil2 alone. More than 80% of South Africa’s 1.3 million ha of plantationshave for instance been certified3. Limited information, however, exists on theeffect of certification on the sustainability and environmental impact of plantationforest operations.The Department of Forest and Wood Science, Stellenbosch University andthe Southern African Institute of Forestry, in collaboration with the Programon Forest Policy and Governance, Yale University; the School of ForestResources, Pennsylvania State University; the School of Government,University of Tasmania; and the International Union of Forest ResearchOrganisations (IUFRO) Divisions 1 (Silviculture) and 5 (Forest Products), areproud to announce the presentation of an international Plantation CertificationSymposium 2007 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The aim of this symposium isto reflect on the effect that forest certification has had during the past ten yearson plantations, in terms of their social, operation (including environmental) andeconomic sustainability.Symposium ThemesThe symposium will address the following themes:• Impact of certification on the social aspects of plantations• Impact of certification on plantation operations• Impact of certification on plantation economics and markets

Call for papers and posters

Persons interested in the certification of plantations are invited to present papers and posters on the above-mentioned themes. These papers and posters will be published in symposium proceedings.

If you are interested in presenting a paper or poster please submit an abstract to Cori Ham (coriham@mweb.co.za) before 30 April 2007. The scientific review panel will evaluate these abstracts and notify you of acceptance of your paper or poster by 31 May 2007. Information about the format of abstracts is available on the symposium website:   http://www.sun.ac.za/forestry/Symposium2007/Symp2007.html.

Scientific committee/ Review committee

Pierre Ackerman University of Stellenbosch

Cori Ham University of Stellenbosch

Mike Jacobson Pennsylvania State University

Ben Cashore Yale University

Fred Gale University of Tasmania

Berty van Hensbergen Wild Horus Consultants

Dates and Deadlines

January 2007 Second announcement and registration forms

30 April 2007 Deadline for submission of poster/paper abstracts

31 May 2007 Notification of acceptance of poster/paper abstracts

31 July 2007 Early registration deadline

15 August 2007 Submission of full paper/poster

10 September 2007 Late registration deadline

17 September 2007 Pre-conference social excurion

18 – 21 September 2007 Symposium

Venue

The symposium will be hosted in Stellenbosch at the Oude Libertas Conference centre (http://www.oudelibertas.net/). Stellenbosch, located approximately 50 km from Cape Town, is the second oldest town in South Africa, founded by Simon van der Stel in 1679 and renowned for its Cape Dutch buildings, university and wines. It lies in a fertile valley surrounded by vineyards, orchards and mountains. Stellenbosch is a haven for tourists who have time to walk around and savour the atmosphere of this unique town with oak-lined streets and water furrows. Open-air restaurants and cosy coffee shops line the shady streets and secluded lanes, inviting people to linger and observe the everyday activities of this bustling village.

A century-long tradition of quality teaching and research has ensured Stellenbosch University’s place among the finest academic institutions in Africa. Stellenbosch has from very early on had a significant involvement in the history of education in South Africa. The history of the University dates back to the opening of the Stellenbosch Gymnasium in 1866 and the establishment of the Arts Department, which became the Stellenbosch College in 1881. In 1887, the jubilee year of Queen Victoria’s reign, this name was changed to the Victoria College, which acquired university status in 1918 to become Stellenbosch University.

Social programme

We realise that during a symposium enough time should be allowed for interaction, networking and enjoyment. Therefore we are organising a welcoming reception on the first evening of the symposium and a symposium dinner on the evening of 20 September 2007. The costs for these events are included in the registration fees.

We are also organising social excursions for the day preceding the symposium (17 September 2007) at R 500 per person. Delegates can choose from four excursions in and around the City of Cape Town and the Cape Winelands. Special excursions for accompanying persons can also be arranged. The costs associated with these excursions are excluded from the registration fees.

Please see the symposium website for more information.

Accommodation

Stellenbosch offers a variety of accommodation options, from cosy guesthouses to upmarket hotels. For more information on accommodation please see the symposium website. The symposium organisers can facilitate the process of finding suitable accommodation but all arrangements will be between the symposium delegates and the respective accommodation establishments.

Transport

The closest airport to Stellenbosch is Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is approximately 35 km from Stellenbosch. Options available to travel to and from the airport include taxis, shuttle busses and car rentals. More information on these options will be available on the website at a later date.

Registration information

Fees

The following registration fees apply to the symposium:

Category Early registration

(Before 31 July 2007)

Late registration

(Before 10 September

2007)

Delegates ZAR 2 800.00 ZAR 3 200.00

Students ZAR 1 400.00 ZAR 1 600.00

Accompanying persons ZAR 1 600.00 ZAR 1 800.00

The fees for delegates and students include conference proceedings, a conference bag, the welcoming reception, symposium dinner, lunches and teas and the field excursion. The fees for accompanying persons include a conference bag, the welcoming reception, symposium dinner and the field excursion.

Registration and payment

Registration fees are payable in South African Rands (ZAR) and should be paid according to the instructions on the registration form included in this announcement.

Please complete the registration form and e-mail or fax it to Ms. Poppie Gordon at mgor@sun.ac.za or +27 21 808 3603.

Cancellation of registration

For cancellations before 1 August 2007 the full amount less an administration fee of ZAR 200 will be refunded. For cancellations made after 1 August 2007, a refund of 50% will be made. No refunds will be made after 10 September 2007.