AZEF 2012

Download pdf of first announcement

Venue & Date

• The “Meet & Greet” will be held at the restaurant at the Karoo Desert Botanical Gardens on the eve of 16th October.
• The conference will be held at the NG Moedergemeente Church Hall, Church Street, Worcester, W Cape, from the 17th to the 19th October 2012.

AZEF 2012 Theme

Emerging threats in the arid zone: building knowledge and developing solutions

Sessions: climate change, bush encroachment, fire in arid systems, rehabilitation, landuse and development (e.g. fracking) and other related topics.

Special Keynote Speaker: Dr Joe McAuliffe, Director of Research at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. His research in arid areas is multidisciplinary – plant community ecology, population ecology of desert plants, ecophysiology, geology, soil science, hydrology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology and conservation of semi-arid grasslands. Of special interest to us is his work on “heuweltjies”.

Our keynote speakers for 2012

Interactive session: Climate Change, promises to be a highlight, with several prominent speakers.

Emphasis: presentations should be on suggested action/solutions.

Who should attend?

Scientists, students, planners & educators working in arid areas.
Managers particularly those in conservation, agriculture & local government
Policy makers
NGOs and the private sector
Landowners

Programme Outline

Tuesday 16th October:
Delegates arrive & register from 17h30.
Welcome & Finger Supper

Wednesday 17th October:
Late registration
Papers and posters all day
AGM
Special Student Session
Dinner

Thursday 18th October:
Late registration
Papers & posters
Climate Change Debate
Field trips
Drinks around the posters & braai

Friday 19th October:
Late registration
Papers & posters
Lunch

Prize giving for best presentations by young scientist

Field trips

Fieldtrips on Thursday 18th October. We plan to have expert guided field trips to:

• Karoo Desert Botanical Gardens
• Worcester Veld Reserve
• Graham Beck Estate conservation Areas
• CREW- critical sites for plant conservation
• Wetlands restoration
• Restoration of a controlled burned site at Brandvlei Dam

Call for Papers & Posters

Contributions in the form of platform papers (of 12 minutes and 3 minutes for discussion) are invited.

Posters will be presented as 5 minutes speed presentation (3 Power Point slides) with time for questions at the end of the session, as well as during the drinks social at the posters before the braai.

All titles should reach the secretariat via email no later than 30th July 2012.

All abstracts must reach the secretariat no later than 27th August 2012.

Download instructions to authors

Registration

Registration Forms and Fees:

Early Bird Registration forms and fees should reach the secretariat before 27st August 2012 to enjoy Early Bird rates!

Thereafter the Late Registration fee will be applicable. The cut-off date for all Registrations is before 28th September 2012.

Please return completed registration forms either by email: to azef.sa@gmail.com

Download registration form

OR:

The Secretariat,
AZEF, P O Box 21705,
KLOOF STREET,
8008. South Africa

Cell: 072 625 0274,
Fax: 086 759 2859,
Email: azef.sa@gmail.com

Registration Fees and Cut-Off Dates

*) See also registration form for Daily fees

Payments

• Kindly request an invoice for payment from the secretariat.
• Cheques, cash, and electronic payment are accepted.
• Unfortunately, we do not have Credit Card facilities.

Bank Details: These will be supplied on an invoice to you once registration forms are received. Proof of payment should be sent to the Secretariat please.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made after 28th September 2012 and before 1st October 2012 will only be refunded 75% of the fee. 

• Please note that no refunds will be made if there is cancellation or change of dates after 1st October 2012.
• Refunds will only be made AFTER the conference once banking details have been sent to the secretariat
  NB: A person shall only be considered as registered on receipt of both registration form and fee.

Meals

The full registration fee includes teas, lunches and dinners as from dinner on 16th October 2012 and for the duration of the Forum only. Any other meals are for your own cost.

Accommodation

Please book your own accommodation. Phone the official Worcester Tourism office on 023 342 6244, or see their web: www.worcestertourism.co.za, Email: info@worcestertourism.com

Awards

Awards will be made to the best paper and posters by young scientists with special priority to postgraduate students.

Sponsorship

We are hoping to have some sponsorship for students, but will keep you posted once we know the outcome of our application.