The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council will hold its 2009 symposium on Nov. 5 at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. The conference will focus on meeting the challenges of controlling invasive, non-native plants.

Professionals involved with forest and natural resources, land management, vegetation management, green industry, agriculture and related professions, as well as land owners and others concerned about non-native invasive species and natural areas, are encouraged to attend.

Featured speakers include James Miller, research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station at Auburn University; Newt Hardie with the Kudzu Coalition in Spartanburg, S.C.; and James Johnson, forest health coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission. The program will include a panel discussion on using volunteers to control invasive plant species.

The conference offers five hours of pesticide recertification credits to Georgia pesticide applicators in sections 21: agricultural plant, 23: forest, 24: ornamentals and turf and 27: right of way. The program has also been approved for 5.5 certified arborist CEUs, 5.5 municipal arborist specialist CEUs and 3 certified forestry CFE hours.

Registration before Oct. 23 is $25 for council members and $45 for non-members. After Oct. 23, registration is $35 (members) and $55 (non-members).

For more information on the symposium, visit www.caes.uga.edu/UNIT/ATHENS/events/events.html or call (706) 542-0808.