For the second time, Glacier National Park is hosting a Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Science and History Conference.

The conference will be Aug. 18 at the Lake McDonald Lodge Auditorium, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The conference is free and is open to the public.

A similar conference last year was considering a big success, attracting more than 100 people.

This year's event will feature 14 presentations of ongoing or recently completed research projects in Glacier and Waterton Lakes national parks.

"This forum is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn more about science and resource management programs taking place within the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park," Glacier Superintendent Mick Holm said.

"We have knowledgeable speakers who will present their findings in nontechnical ways to make the conference appropriate for anyone wishing to learn about natural and cultural resource work at the parks," Holm added.

According to Science and Resources Management Chief Jack Potter, "The 20-minute presentations will feature a wide variety of topics including bear research, climate change and avalanche predictions, past climatic reconstructions, fisheries and flood-plain investigations, wildlife and fire ecology studies, and historical and cultural research projects."

Holm will welcome attendees during the opening session at 8:30 a.m.

The conference is organized into two morning and two afternoon sessions with a lunch break from noon until 1:15 p.m.

Refreshments will be available during the breaks, courtesy of the Glacier Natural History Association.

Lunch may be purchased at the lodge or attendees may bring sack lunches.

Parking is limited, so participants are encouraged to share rides or carpool.

A detailed agenda for the conference is available at:

http://www.nps.gov/glac/pdf/05scienceconf.pdf.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at [email protected].