Water-Ecosystem Services, Drought, and Environmental Justice

The first Emerging Issues Conference (formerly known as the Millennium Conference), Water-Ecosystem Services, Drought, and Environmental Justice, was held November 9-12, 2009, in Athens, Georgia. The conference was co-chaired by Ted Gragson of the University of Georgia and Steward Pickett of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. This Conference brought together ecological and social scientists and students to explore the development of scientifically and socially sound solutions to water allocation in times of drought. The ultimate objective was to reduce conflicts among water users, enhance environmental justice, and more effectively manage public responses to water scarcity.

Attendance was primarily by invitation and by selection from an open call for poster abstracts held in the spring of 2009. Live webcasts of all keynote speakers and detailed information on the website were available to encourage remote participation from a larger audience.