IAASworld.org

On Sunday the National Summit concluded with presentations on environmental sustainability and food security as well as strategic plans constructed by the partnership and exchange boards. Dr. David Ostermeier from Tennessee discussed the importance of ecosystem services in fostering security. He noted the depletion in many natural resources around the world and emphasized the need to "co-create" agricultural systems that provide food and contribute to ecosystem functions. The final presentation was an interesting panel discussion with Georgia faculty from the departments of anthropology, geography and applied economics. Each presented different but complementary perspectives to help understand food security in the face of climate change and fielded questions from IAAS members in the question and answer session.

As this was the final day of the National Summit, the new national committee presented strategic plans to move IAAS USA forward and increase the group's contributions to IAAS World. They plan to establish a webpage for IAAS USA that will promote IAAS to other US universities and partners. They also proposed a motivation weekend this October to bring IAAS members together before the National Summit next spring. Many thanks to the organizing committee at the University of Georgia for a great event and to all participants for your contributions!