In Monterey, Calif., Jan. 8-10 "Water, Weeds and You" is the theme of the 53rd annual conference of the California Weed Science Society. The popular event will be held Jan. 8-10 at the Doubletree Hotel and Convention Center, Monterey, Calif.

More than 70 speakers from around the nation will focus on weed control topics in growing operations ranging from turf and ornamentals to trees, vines and vegetables, and various field crops as well as weed control in industrial and aquatics, and forestry, range and wild lands.

"This is the 53rd of the series and attendees will hear and see the latest weed control strategies available to them," said Lars Anderson, USDA ARS Exotic and Invasive Weed Research based at UC Davis, CWSS vice president and program chair of the conference. "We hope that people who attend this meeting will find new approaches to weed control," Anderson said. "The line-up of speakers are sure to be very enlightening regarding both current and future weed control strategies."

Anderson said that regulatory issues will always be with us and the Laws and Regulations session on Wednesday will be very informational to attendees. "As we move into the 21st Century there will be more environmental laws that will effect us and weed management systems will need to take this into consideration," he said.

Approximately 18 hours of PCA and Qualified Applicator credit have been applied for, which includes five hours for Laws and Regulations.

Registration begins Sunday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. On Monday at 8:30 a.m. the urban session will begin. Concurrent to this session will be a special workshop on Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in weed management.

From 10 a.m. until noon, university students will present papers concerning weeds and their control.

The general session will start at 1:30 p.m. featuring invasive weeds - legislation and research: Federal, State and UC Perspectives.

Concurrent sessions On Tuesday, comprehensive concurrent sessions will begin. Tuesday will also be highlighted by the CWSS business meeting and awards luncheon. Featured speaker will be Steven Webster with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. While not a weed specialist, Webster will surprise attendees with the facts surrounding the world-famous aquarium.

Wednesday, Jan. 10, will feature the relationship of water and weeds, and other plant growth. The final session, Laws and Regulations, will begin at 10 a.m. with topics ranging from the IR-4 herbicide Program to Labeling of Commodities.

Throughout the conference, a wide array of exhibits and posters will also be on display. There also will be both oral and poster sessions presented by students.