Coping with Disturbance and Change: Identifying the Costs Associated with Invasive Plants in the Southeast
Don Hodges, University of Tennessee

Our 2010 featured keynote speaker Don Hodges, Ph.D., is a Professor of Forest Economics and Policy and Director of the University of Tennessee Natural Resource Policy Center. Don is a native of Knoxville and received his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from The University of Tennessee in 1982. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Forest Economics from the University of Georgia in 1985 and 1988, respectively. He has conducted research on the prescribed fire legislation in the southern U.S. and economic returns associated with investments in intensive forest management practices. His research program emphasizes the economic aspects of natural resource management and related public policies. Specific research areas include forest values, evaluation of forest policies, forest management and operations, and resource analysis.

Insights into the green initiatives being made within the city of Chattanooga.
Gene Hyde, City Forester for Chattanooga

Our first plenary speaker is Gene Hyde, City Forester for Chattanooga since 1990, current Chair of the Chattanooga Green Committee, and lead member of Mayor Littlefield's climate protection core group. His experience includes invasive plant control within the city of Chattanooga and he is an outspoken advocate for sustainable urban forestry. Gene is the past President and a former board member of the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. He has served as Chairman for various committees of the Society of Municipal Arborists and is co-founder of the Arborist Exchange Committee based upon his professional experiences in Russia. He has contributed many articles to professional journals and has been featured as a speaker for many local, state, and national conferences. Served as a judge in various events during the Tennessee Tree Climbing Championship. Served as the ISA State Director for Tennessee 2004-2006. Employed as the City Forester in Chattanooga since 1990. Chair, Chattanooga Green Committee, 2007 - present.

Restoration of Native Grasses in the southeastern United States
Tom Barnes, University of Kentucky

Our second plenary speaker is Tom Barnes, Ph.D., Is a professor and extension wildlife specialist at the University of Kentucky, his primary research focus is on restoring native grasslands in the eastern United States with an emphasis on using herbicides for weed control and removal of exotic grass species. He has also conducted research on using herbicides to control Japanese spirea in the Big South Fork NRRA, dormant season Japanese honeysuckle control using herbicides, and wildlife nutrition issues. In addition he is the author, photographer and Kentucky Literary Award nominee for Kentucky's Last Great Places. Other notable books written and photographed include the popular Gardening For The Birds, The Wildflowers and Ferns of Kentucky, The Rare Wildflowers of Kentucky and his most recent, The Gift of Creation Images from Scripture and Earth. He is also the author of the award winning publication: Private Lands Wildlife Management and Technical Guidance Manual. He is also an internationally published outdoor and nature photographer with credits in publications around the world including Time-Life, National Wildlife Federation, numerous book publishers, magazines, and calendars.