Dryland degradation and desertification now affect almost a billion people around the world. Tragically, the biological resources and productivity of millions of acres of land are lost to desertification each year because people remain unaware of strategies and techniques that could improve yields, reduce risk, and begin healing the world's deserts. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration is the first book to offer practical, field-tested solutions to this critical problem. Author David Bainbridge has spent more than 25 years actively involved in restoring lands across the American Southwest. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration presents the results of his years of fieldwork, as well as research and experience from scientists and practitioners around the globe. The book discusses the ecology of desert plants, explores the causes of desertification and land abuse, and outlines the processes and procedures needed to evaluate, plan, implement, and monitor desert restoration projects. It sets forth economical and practical field-tested solutions for understanding site characteristics, selecting and growing plants, and ensuring that they survive with a minimal amount of water and care. Each chapter represents a guide to a critical topic for environmental restoration; extensive photographs, diagrams and drawings give detailed information for immediate application, and additional resources are included in appendixes. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration is the first comprehensive book focused on restoring arid regions, and clearly demonstrates that arid lands can be successfully rehabilitated. In addition to restorationists, the book will be an invaluable resource for anyone working in arid lands, including farmers, ranchers, gardeners, landscapers, outdoor recreation professionals, and activists.

The National Proceedings contains articles presented at regional meetings during 1999, 2000, and 2001.1999: The joint meeting of the Northeastern and Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations was held at the Gateway Conference Center in Ames, Iowa, on July 12-15. Hosts were the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Cascade Forestry Nursery, and the USDA Forest Service. The meeting theme was Nureety Cballengee for the New Millennium. Morning technical sessions were followed by afternoon tours of the Pioneer Seed Biotechnology Labs, the Bear Creek Riparian Buffer Project area, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources nursery. 2000: The Southern Forest Nursery Association conference, Growing Green in the New Mih'enium, was held June 26-29 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in the historic district of Mobile, Alabama. The meeting, Growing Green in the New Millennium, was hosted by the Alabama Forestry Commission. Technical sessions were followed by tours of the E.A. Hauss Nursery in Atmore and the Knud Nielson Company in Evergreen. The Northeastern Nursery Conference was held at the House on the Rock Resort in Spring Green, Wisconsin, on July 5-8. The meeting, Nurreriesfor the Future, was hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Nursery Association. In addition to the technical sessions, participants toured the Wilson State Nursery. Members of the Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association conducted their meeting August 22-25 at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The meeting was hosted by the Hawaii Department of Forestry and Wildlife. Technical presentations covered operational nursery practices from around the world. Tours included the native plant nursery at Volcanoes National Park and the Kamuela State Forest Nursery. 2001: Toftrees Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania, was the site for the Northeastern Nursery Conference held July 23-26. The meeting, Sclstainable Nurseries-Sustainable Forests, was hosted by Penn Nursery. The Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association conducted their meeting July 30-August 3 at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. The meeting was hosted by the Colorado State Forest Service and tours includcd the BIA Southern Ute Forest Nursery and Mesa Verde National Park.

1998 contains proceedings for: Southern Forest Nursery Association Conference; Northeastern Forest Nursery Association Conference; and the combined Forest Nursery Association of British Columbia/Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association meeting.