50 Years of Soil and Water Research
in a Changing Agricultural Environment

September 3-5, 2008

Oxford Conference Center, 102 Ed Perry Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655

In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the USDA Agricultural Research Service National Sedimentation Laboratory (NSL) in Oxford, Mississippi, a national conference is being organized that serves as a forum for scientists, cooperators, partners, and stakeholders to present and discuss research topics related to the broad mission of the NSL research program. The conference title is: “The National Sedimentation Laboratory: 50 Years of Soil and Water Research in a Changing Agricultural Environment.” Topics include soil erosion, runoff from agricultural land, sedimentation, water-quality and -quantity, agronomic practices, related ecological issues, and watershed modeling. The 2 ½ day conference will be held at the Oxford Conference Center September 3 - 5, 2008. The Conference will be followed by the CEAP Annual Meeting and tour of the Goodwin Creek watershed. Please join us as we celebrate the past, present and future research activities of the National Sedimentation Laboratory.

For information on registration for this conference, please visit the registration page.

Note to Presenters

1. The Conference Center will provide computers that support Microsoft PowerPoint 2003.
2. Please bring your presentation on a CD or USB flash drive to have it loaded on the computer in the assigned room 20 minutes prior to the start of your session.
3. The technical meeting agenda is posted on the conference web site: http://nsl.olemiss.edu/50th_Anniversary/Program_8-18.htm.
4. All full papers must be received no later than August 1 in order to be included on the Proceedings CD.

Technical Conference Attendees -- Please read the following updated and important information.

A tour of the National Sedimentation Laboratory is scheduled from 4:00 p.m.to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2. You are welcome to attend if you arrive in Oxford early.

The Conference is set from Wednesday 3 Sept through Friday 5 Sept. Please note that the Conference banquet has been shifted to Wednesday evening and will be held at the Oxford University Club (OUC) near the Oxford town square.

The Conference reception has been shifted to Thursday evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Conference Center. This reception will consist of heavy hors d'oeurves and a cash bar.

All posters will be presented during this Reception. Poster presenters please be available from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m to discuss your poster.

Tickets are required for entry to the Conference and all social functions. On site registration will be available if you wish to purchase tickets for spouse or guest to attend the Wednesday evening banquet ($35.00). Tickets for the banquet must be purchased by noon, Wednesday, September 3.

Blocks of rooms are being held by the following two hotels at the $70 government rate until August 12. Please note regular hotel rates in Oxford are considerably higher than the government rate of $70.00.

Downtown Oxford Inn and Suites (http://www.downtownoxfordinnandsuites.com/ phone 1-662-234-3031 or toll-free 1-800-606-1497), and

The Inn at Ole Miss (http://www.theinnatolemiss.com/new/webfiles/theinn/TheInn.htm phone 1-662-234-2331 or toll-free 1-888-486-7666).

Be sure to mention the NSL 50th Anniversary block and make your hotel reservations while rooms in the block are still available.

In order to arrange sufficient transportation, we need a head count for the field tour of the Goodwin Creek CEAP watershed. The tour is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, September 5. Please reply to Myra.Shaw@ars.usda.gov if you would like to participate in the tour.