On behalf of the Latvia State Forest Research Institute "Silava", the OSCAR₂ (The Operations Systems Centre of Advanced Research) management committee and IUFRO Division 3 Forest Operations Engineering and Management Unit 3.05 - Forest Operations Ecology we are very pleased to announce that the next OSCAR research conference will be held in Riga at Days Hotel Riga.

We are pleased to announce that IUFRO Division 3 Forest Operations Engineering and Management Unit 3.05 - Forest Operations Ecology has become the conference sponsors in kind! More information about the IUFRO unit can be found here.

You can register to the conference here (registration will be open until August 31).

Duration of the conference:

• Start date: 24.10.2012
• Ending date: 26.10.2012

Following in the NSR tradition and the more recent successful meetings in Tartu, Copenhagen and Hannu, we have initiated the process of organising an exciting program of research presentations, networking and an interactive excursion in the Riga region forest management technologies trials.

As you are probably aware, OSCAR₂ co-operation has been extended for a second term. This biennial meeting will provide a good opportunity for researchers in forest operations and related disciplines to come together in ensuring that we get the maximum synergy out of it.

Examples of themes to authors submitting abstracts:

• Machine and machine-systems performance analysis,
• Process modelling and control,
• Transport and materials handling,
• Geographical information – modelling and interpretation,
• Ergonomics, the work environment and safety,
• Small scale and urban forestry operations,
• Supply chain management and associated methods & technologies,
• Environmental impacts, Energy and Emissions,
• Entrepreneurs, business process engineering and quality assurance,
• Mechanisation of silvicultural operations,
• Plantation forests and short rotation woody crops,
• Mobilisation of wood resources.

The deadline for sending abstracts is extended to May 31, 2012!

Official call for abstracts.

The meeting venue, Days Hotel Riga, is the perfect place for hosting the conference. The hotel is located close to the centre of Riga. There are modern auditoriums for larger audiences, suitable rooms for smaller committee meetings and free Internet access. After the scheduled program you can easily access centre of the city to introduce with nightly Riga. Organised tours to the city can be arranged on request. Detailed travel instructions from Riga Airport can be found here - http://www.dayshotelriga.com/en/directions. Location of the venue can be found in the Maps, locations etc. page.
To book a room in the Days Hotel Riga, please instead of on-line booking contact hotel manager by email - sm@dayshotelriga.com with cc: to dagnija.lazdina@silava.lv.

Please book the dates now to ensure that you can participate. We look forward to welcoming you in Latvia!

Conference program

Will be updated later :)

Contact persons

Andis Lazdiņš (+37126595586, skype andislazdinsh_work) and Dagnija Lazdiņa (+37126595683, skype dagnija_lazdina).
Please, write a message or call, if you have any questions about the conference.

About OSCAR₂

The OSCAR₂ objectives are; The OSCAR₂ objectives are:

• To increase the excellence and critical mass of R&D within the field of forest operation systems by integrating research resources and expertise;
• To promote, initiate and develop efficient, competitive and environmentally friendly forest operation systems on a joint Nordic basis.