MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Trees do more for an area than add beauty, and communities across Mississippi have begun to recognize and protect the value of these leafy giants.

The 2005 Urban Forestry and Arboriculture Conference Feb. 14-16 in Natchez will give community leaders a better understanding of the benefits trees provide to a community. The Mississippi State University Extension Service is one of the sponsors for the conference.

"This conference is being provided to assist communities in learning more about implementing a safe and effective community forestry program, and the legal issues and concerns facing local governments, landowners, utilities, arborists and others involved in urban forestry," said John Kushla, Extension forestry specialist.

Basic conference registration is $125. County and city leaders, public works directors, land managers and others who advise or manage trees and landscapes are invited to attend. Topics to be covered include grants, legal issues, zoning, resources, ordinances, federal and state regulations, and programs affecting urban forestry in Mississippi.

In addition to the speakers, exhibitors will demonstrate the latest equipment in the urban forestry and arboriculture business. Several professional organizations are offering continuing education credits for conference participation.

Contact Kushla at (662) 566-2201 or jdkushla@ext.msstate.edu for more information.

The conference is funded in part by an Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the Mississippi Forestry Commission and the Professional Arborist Association of Mississippi. It is offered in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, Southern Group of State Foresters, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and Non-point Source Pollution, and the Mississippi Urban Forestry Council Inc.