THE GOAL OF THE NATIONAL EXTENSION DISASTER EDUCATION NETWORK CONFERENCE IS TO FOSTER A NORTH AMERICAN NETWORK OF LAND GRANT EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS, RESEARCHERS, INDUSTRY, AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN SHARING RESEARCH, RESOURCES, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.THE EXTENSION DISASTER EDUCATION NETWORK (EDEN) IS A COLLABORATIVE MULTI-STATE EFFORT BY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO CITIZENS AFFECTED BY DISASTERS. EDEN'S MISSION IS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS THROUGH RESEARCH-BASED EDUCATION. THE CONCEPTION, DEVELOPMENT, AND GROWTH OF THE EXTENSION DISASTER EDUCATION NETWORK (EDEN) WERE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE LESSONS LEARNED BY THE LAND-GRANT SYSTEM RESPONDING TO THE CATASTROPHIC MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI RIVER FLOODS OF 1993. BASED ON THESE LESSONS LEARNED, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE LAND-GRANT SYSTEM WOULD HAVE AN ONGOING EXPECTATION TO BE INVOLVED LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY IN THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ARENA. EDEN FORMED AS A NORTH CENTRAL REGION (NCR) DISASTER REDUCTION GROUP COMMITTEE WITH A THREE-YEAR OUTLOOK, GOT ITS NAME IN 1996, AND BEGAN THE TRANSITION TO A NATIONAL NETWORK IN 1998.EDEN COORDINATES AN ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE AS A PRIMARY MEANS FOR SHARING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH, AND NETWORKING FOR PERSONNEL WORKING TO SUPPORT AND INTERESTED IN BECOMING BETTER EQUIPPED FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE. ATTENDEES INCLUDE EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS FROM MULTIPLE STATES, IN ADDITION TO MANY REGIONAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNER AGENCIES INCLUDING USDA AND FEMA. THE NEXT EDEN CONFERENCE WILL BE HOSTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA IN SAVANNAH, GA, SEPTEMBER 26 - 29, 2023. OVER 150 EXTENSION SPECIALISTS AND EDUCATORS, RESEARCHERS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROFESSIONALS, AND HIGHLY SKILLED VOLUNTEERS WORKING TOGETHER TO FOSTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ON THE LOCAL, STATE, REGIONAL, AND FEDERAL LEVEL ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.THE 2023 EDEN CONFERENCE IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 26 - 29, 2023 IN SAVANNAH, GA.CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES INCLUDE:1. PRESENTING THE LATEST RESEARCH, RESOURCES AND BEST PRACTICES IN THE FIELD OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH WITHIN LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES, FEDERAL AGENCIES AND OTHER PARTNERS. THE CONFERENCE WILL HAVE PRESENTATION TRACKS FOR EXTENSION, RESEARCH, AND PRACTICE.2. DEVELOPING CONNECTIONS AND NETWORKS FOR EXTENSION, RESEARCHERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND OTHERS WORKING IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.3. DISCUSSING CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING COMMUNITIES AND STRATEGIZE HOW EDEN CAN BETTER SERVE ITS STAKEHOLDERS.4. DEMONSTRATING SUSTAINABLE BEST PRACTICES IN GEORGIA THROUGH WORKSHOPS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE, AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE CONFERENCE.WE EXPECT 150-200 EXTENSION PROFESSIONALS, RESEARCHERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, LOCAL/STATE/FEDERAL PARTNERS AND OTHERS WORKING IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE. THESE PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS T,HAT THEY CAN IMPLEMENT IN THEIR DESTINATIONS AND THROUGH THEIR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAMMING. THE CONFERENCE WILL CONSIST OF CONCURRENT SESSIONS AND PLENARY SPEAKERS, OFFSITE WORKSHOPS, FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS, A POSTER SESSION, AND NETWORKING EVENTS.