OPENING REMARKS—ELEVENTH VERTEBRATE PEST CONFERENCE

On behalf of the Vertebrate Pest Council, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you to Sacramento and to the 11th Vertebrate Pest Conference. The first Vertebrate Pest Conference was held 22 years ago here in Sacramento in 1962. The conference is now over two years into its third decade of existence. In all this time, the basic goals of the Conference have not changed; that is, to provide a basis for dissemination of information on vertebrate pests and their control. Some things have changed in these 22 years, most of which have been for the good. The first obvious and noticeable change is attendance at the conference—-from 268 at the first conference to quite likely over 500 at this meeting. The length of the conference is now three days instead of two. Participation and attendance of representatives from outside the United States and from all over the United States has continued to be outstanding. At the last conference, the council initiated a work-shop format as part of the program. This was very successful and we are continuing with an expanded workshop session which will occupy all of tomorrow\u27s program. This year we are having displays and exhibits by some of the major manufacturers and suppliers of vertebrate pest control materials. These exhibits will be open throughout most of the conference