The Conference Schedule is now available for download: click here.

To register for the Conference, follow this link: mortonarb.org/ios/2015.

Conference highlights will include presentations from many of the world’s leading oak researchers, opportunities to discuss and contribute to ongoing work in oak conservation worldwide, workshops in oak collecting and collections management, tours of the Arboretum’s world-renowned oak collection, and a seed exchange.

Speakers will report on a wide range of current oak research topics:

• Ecology and natural history 
• Evolution
• Biodiversity and conservation
• Selection and propagation
• Pests and diseases
• Ethnobotany
• And more!

Confirmed speakers include:

• Anthony Aiello (Morris Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania, USA)
• Mary Ashley (University of Illinois, Chicago, USA)
• Janet Backs (University of Illinois at Chicago, USA)
• Nina Bassuk (Cornell University, USA)
• Jeannine Cavender-Bares (University of Minnesota, USA)
• Béatrice Chassé (Arboretum des Pouyouleix, France)
• Min Deng (Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, China)|
• Robert Fahey (The Morton Arboretum, USA)
• Antonio Gonzalez-Rodriguez (Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)
• Matthew Kaproth (University of Minnesota, USA)
• Jon Kay (Indiana University, USA)
• Antoine Kremer (INRA, BIOGECO, France)
• Paul Manos (Duke University, USA)
• Ken Oyama (Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
• Greg Paige (Bartlett Tree Experts, USA
• Ian Pearse (Illinois Natural History Survey, USA
• Jeanne Romero-Severson (University of Notre Dame, USA
• Joseph Rothleutner (The Morton Arboretum, USA
• Victoria Sork (University of California, Los Angeles, USA
• Weibang Sun (Kunming Botanical Garden, China)
• Guy Sternberg (Starhill Forest Arboretum, USA
• Christina Walters (USDA Agricultural Research Service, USA
• Murphy Westwood (The Morton Arboretum, USA)

Field trips before, during, and after the conference will explore magnificent collections and stands of oaks in the American Midwest, where they are a keystone species. Seed season and the fall color display are likely to be at their height.

Pre-Conference Tour of Central and Southern Illinois Read more

Post-Conference Tour of southern Lake Michigan region in Indiana and Michigan Read more

LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION

The conference hotel is the Hyatt Lisle: 

Hyatt Lisle 
1400 Corporetum Drive
Lisle, IL 60532

The Hyatt room block will open for registration Friday, March 20, 2015. For more information about reserving rooms, visit the Conference registration page.

Travel insurance is highly recommended for participants.

SEED EXCHANGE:

As in previous years, there will be a seed exchange for conference delegates to share acorns they have collected from interesting and unusual oak species and hybrids from around the world. Click here for guidelines for the 2015 IOS Seed Exchange 

SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:

Check back shortly for detailed program. For more information on the conference program, please contact Murphy Westwood or Andrew Hipp (mwestwood@mortonarb.org, ahipp@mortonarb.org).

Welcome Reception and Keynote Address

The Morton Arboretum

Sunday, October 18,
Welcome Reception 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Keynote Address 7:00-8:30 p.m.
“Saving Trees from Extinction” by Sara Oldfield, Former Secretary General,
Senior Consultant BGCI

Hyatt Lisle
1400 Corporetum Drive
Lisle, Illinois 60532

Conference sessions
Monday, October 19, through Wednesday, October 21, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, Illinois, 60532

Gala Dinner and Lecture
Tuesday, October 20, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Visitor Center, The Morton Arboretum
Lecture will be given by Joel Greenberg, author of A Feathered River Across the Sky, and A Natural History of the Chicago Region. 

For further information on fees and admission, visit the Conference registration page.

2015 Conference Planning Committee