The 3rd ETS International Conference in Kristiansand, Norway, from June 24th to 26th 2012
"Quality turf and efficient utilization of resources"
On behalf of the Bioforsk Turfgrass Research Group, it is a pleasure to welcome ETS-members and other turfgrass enthusiasts to the 3rd ETS conference in Kristiansand, Norway.
Situated on the Norwegian south coast about 320 km south west of Oslo, Kristiansand is the entry port to Norway for thousands of Europeans travelling north for leisure or business. The city was founded by the Danish-Norwegian King Christian the 4th in 1641. Today, it is Norways' fifth biggest city with almost 80.000 inhabitants making their living from high technology industry and trade. The beautiful archipelago and mild climate attracts many Norwegians for holidays. In late June sunset is at 22.30 (10:30 pm), and the average 24 hours temperature is around 15˚C (59 F) with daily maximums in the range 18-25 ˚C (65-77 F).
Kristiansand airport, Kjevik, has several daily flights to Copenhagen and Amsterdam and of course Norway's main airport Oslo Gardermoen. There are train connections to Oslo and Stavanger and long distance buses arriving every second hour from Oslo (5 h). For those travelling by car and perhaps wanting to combine with some holidays in Norway, the ferry from Hirtshals, Denmark takes only 3 hours.
The Bioforsk Turfgrass Research Group, who will host the Conference, is the leading center for high-quality and sustainable turfgrass management in cold-temperate and semi-arctic climates. The Bioforsk Turfgrass Research Centre, located in Landvik, about 40 km east of Kristiansand, is the biggest centre for turfgrass research in Scandinavia, and an excursion to the facilities is part of the Conference program.
The overall theme of the Conference is "
Quality turf and efficient utilization of resources". With this theme, we want to focus on both environmental and economical aspects of turfgrass managements. Turfgrass managers are increasingly challenged with pesticide, water and fertilizer restrictions, and perhaps we need to define "Quality turf" into a broader context...
In addition to a separate program for family members during the conference , we are also planning a three day post-conference tour visiting Norwegian fjords and mountains as well as interesting turfgrass sites. Details about this, as well as Conference venue, accommodation, registration etc. will be presented on a Conference Website to be launched in October 2011. Meanwhile,
I wish you all a wholehearted welcome to the 3rd ETS Conference in Norway. Please reserve the dates in your 2012 calendar.
On behalf of the Bioforsk Turfgrass Research Group
Trygve S. Aamlid
