Background

On behalf of the United States, the University of Alaska is honored to host the 2008 International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP) under the auspices of the International Permafrost Association (IPA). The Ninth International Conference on Permafrost (NICOP) marks the 25th anniversary of the formation of the IPA and the Fourth ICOP (1983), both having taken place at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The fourth International Polar Year (IPY) will be celebrated in 2008, as will be the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY), and the 125th anniversary of the first International Polar Year (IPY). Both the International Union of Geological Sciences and the International Geographical Union, IPA parent organizations, will hold their international congresses in August 2008. The International Year of Planet Earth will also be celebrated in 2008. Taken together, summer 2008 represents a special time to celebrate our national and international permafrost heritage. Special efforts will be made to involve young researchers, educators and students of all ages, and native communities from all countries with an interest in permafrost science and engineering. The U.S. Permafrost Association (USPA), incorporated in Alaska as a not-for-profit organization, is the parent organization for the NICOP. A U.S. National Committee has been established under the USPA to assist the University of Alaska's Local Organizing Committee (LOC) as a co-sponsor and co-organizer of the conference.

Venue

The main technical conference events will take place on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks during the week of June 29 - July 3, 2008. The format of the formal meetings will remain much the same as in prior conferences and include local field trips, and pre- and post-conference extended field trips. Approximately 150 contributed papers will be presented orally; with other contributions to be presented as posters. Several pre-conference courses and workshops for graduate students and professionals, and for K-12 teachers and students are planned. The official language will be English. Conference updates will be posted on the web site as information becomes available.