USDA To Release New Edition of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

This hit my work inbox today. And there’s a webinar if you can’t be there.

USDA To Release New Edition of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2012—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will unveil its new Plant Hardiness Zone Map in an event hosted at the U.S. National Arboretum on Jan. 25 by Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics (REE). The map is an important tool for the country’s estimated 80 million gardeners, and those who grow and breed plants for them. In addition, many others need hardiness zone information, including agencies such as the USDA Risk Management Agency, which uses the plant hardiness zone designations to set some crop insurance standards. Scientists also use the plant hardiness zones as a data layer in many research models such as modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects.

Those unable to attend the event at the Arboretum are encouraged to participate via webinar, wherein guests can watch a demonstration of the interactive map on their personal computers, and can call in to ask questions about the map and its features.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012
10:45 a.m.

WHAT: Release of the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

WHERE: Classroom Trailer
U.S. National Arboretum
Entrances: 3501 New York Avenue, NE and 24th & R Streets, NE.
Washington, DC

WEBINAR: To connect to the webinar conference via computer, go to https://connect16.uc.att.com/usda/meet/?ExEventID=86994646.
If you need to install the participant software for the webinar, go to
http://uc.att.com/support/download_attc_participant.html.

DIAL IN: To participate by telephone only, call toll-free in the United States, 888-858-2144. When prompted, enter the meeting access code 6994646#.