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SATURDAY February 28, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels January 8, 2004 Headwaters conference By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings The Headwaters environmental group is moving its annual Forest Conference to the heart of downtown Ashland this year. Organizers expect about 300 people from throughout the west will converge on the landmark Ashland Springs Hotel for the four-day conference that begins Jan. 29. Now in its 13th year, the conference previously was held at Southern Oregon University and drew 250 to 350 people. Tonya Graham, executive director for Headwaters, said because the organization is not a student group, it was difficult to confirm far enough in advance that the conference could be held at SOU. Additionally, the downtown location brings participants closer to many Ashland amenities, she said. "By putting it downtown, it's easier for people to get around to the businesses and restaurants," Graham said. Past surveys show the economic impact on Ashland from the conference hovers at $100,000 - with that money coming during the town's seasonal winter downturn, according to Headwaters records. Last year, Headwaters changed the event name from the Forest Activists Conference to the Forest Conference in an effort to attract a broader spectrum of participants. That change continues this year. "This is a gathering for anybody actively working on forest issues or people who are simply interested in it," Graham said. "There's a lot to learn at the conference for people of varying interest levels. They can learn about the hot topics in forest issues. It's an opportunity to be with other people who share their concerns." With the theme "Mobilizing the Grassroots in 2004", conference organizers hope to tap into the anger felt by many people who believe the Bush Administration is weakening environmental regulations. "Right now the Bush Administration is working very hard to roll back most of the environmental laws that have protected public health and ecosystem function in the last 30 to 40 years," Graham said. "People need to speak out and let elected officials know what they want. A lot of people are dismayed at what they see happening to environmental protections. For the coming year, we want to help them express what they want to see happen to forests." The conference will feature a Friday evening keynote address by former U.S. Forest Service official Gloria Flora, who resigned her post in Nevada to protest persistent public harassment of federal land managers. Derrick Jensen, author of such books as "Strangely Like War: The Global Assault on Forests," will deliver a Saturday morning keynote address. Participants can attend workshops and break-out sessions covering such topics as post-fire logging of the Biscuit Fire site, online organizing, Klamath River Basin restoration, using boycotts and economic incentives for environmental change, international trade and public land management, and working with foundations to secure funding. The conference also includes a Saturday evening benefit dance and Sunday hikes. To learn more about the conference and to register on-line, visit www.headwaters.org. The cost for the full weekend is on a sliding fee scale from $75 to $150, with a $30 fee for students and senior citizens. To reach Headwaters by phone, call 482-4459.goes downtown for 2004 DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: The new search is here! Click here for more information. .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - ODOT Road Cams