Weed Science Society of America
WSSA Finalizes Program for its March Meeting in Maui
WESTMINSTER, Colorado – January 23, 2020 – Today the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) released details on its upcoming annual meeting, scheduled for March 2-5, 2020, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS) will join WSSA for the event, which will be held near Maui’s Ka’anapali Beach.
“We’ve planned a wide-ranging program that includes something for everyone,” says Bill Curran, WSSA program chair and president-elect.
Corey Ransom, WSWS program chair and president-elect, says the event also offers the best of both worlds. “Attendees will have the opportunity to advance their understanding of important weed science issues, all while relaxing in a casual, Hawaiian setting,” he said.
The opening session on the afternoon of March 2 will feature remarks from Dr. Sam Gon, senior scientist and cultural advisor for The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii. He is a native of Hawaii with 40 years of experience in conservation and land management projects.
The meeting also will feature five symposia on subjects important to weed science:
- Genomics of Weedy and Invasive Species – 2025 and Beyond
- The Ecological and Biodiversity Impact of Invasive Grass Species and Their Management
- 2020 Vision for Hawaiian Invasive Plant Management
- The Role of Intelligent Machines in Weed Management
- Toxicology and Weed Science (with a special emphasis on glyphosate)
There will be multiple breakout sessions throughout the week on topics that include invasive plants in natural areas, the genetics of herbicide resistance, the latest herbicide technology, and more. In addition, more than 275 oral and 235 poster presentations will be offered on the latest weed science research results.
A special March 5 workshop organized by a panel of distinguished herbicide resistance education experts will address “Building a Community to Battle the Wicked Problem of Herbicide Resistance.”
New this year is a “Three-Minute Thesis Research Communication Competition” for WSSA and WSWS students. They will have the opportunity to explain their research and share their conclusions – all in a three-minute timeframe. The meeting will also feature a Women in Weed Science networking event.
Many other optional events will be available during the week, including a whale watching cruise and a tour of a seed corn operation. Further details are available online.
Upcoming Regional Meeting
In advance of the joint WSSA-WSWS annual meeting, the Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS) will host its annual meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi from January 27-30, 2020. The program will include many updates on weed management research, as well as a special symposium on “The Collision Between Wildlife Management and Weed Science.”
A preconference golf tournament to benefit the organization’s endowment will be held on Sunday, January 26, while the popular SWSS Quiz Bowl for graduate students is scheduled for Tuesday evening, January 28. A mixer, a graduate student awards reception and a Women in Weed Science networking event will take place on Wednesday evening, January 29.
Further details are posted online.
About the Weed Science Society of America
The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.
Media Contact:
Lee Van Wychen
Executive Director of Science Policy
National & Regional Weed Science Societies
202-746-4686