Workshops

Some workshops occur before or after the main meeting on the dates of Dec 3rd-5th and 10th-11th.at the University of Auckland and require pre-registration and the payment of an additional fee(*). Fees include lunch/tea breaks with the exception of half day workshops that only include one tea break. All evening and lunch workshops are free and will be held during the main meeting at the SKYCITY venue.

Building a global network for application of proposed IUCN Ecosystem Red List categories and criteria*
WS1; 900am-500pm Dec 5; $30; max 50
Jon Paul Rodriguez, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas 
The workshop will introduce participants to the recently proposed IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria for Ecosystems (Rodríguez et al. 2011. Conservation Biology 25: 21-29), inviting them to bring their own datasets and test them against the quantitative thresholds. By the end of the workshop, they will have either generated categories for their case study or tested a dataset provided to participants with no data of their own. With these tools in hand they will be able to replicate the exercise in their place of work or study, and expose others to the proposed categories and criteria. Participants will be invited to join a working group sponsored by the Commission on Ecosystem Management of IUCN (http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/cem/cem_work/tg_red_list/), to facilitate future exchange and experience-sharing among them, their colleagues or anyone interested. We expect this session to be part of the launching platform of a global effort to systematize ecosystem risk assessment and conservation priority setting, and for building a freely available on-line portfolio of case studies and their underlying data. 

Exploring linkages between environmental management and value systems - the case of Antarctica*
WS2; 900am-500pm Dec 5; $30; max 50
Daniela Liggett, Gateway Antarctica University of Canterbury; Emma Stewart and Gary Steel, Lincoln University
 CANCELLED  

Compensation and rehabilitation in conservation-induced resettlement policies 
WS3; 845am-1245pm Dec 5; $30; max 20*
Assistant Prof Lai Ming Lam, Osaka University and University of Adelaide
 The objectives of the proposed theme of this discussion-group are to review recent practices relating to compensation, social impact assessment and rehabilitation in the field of conservation. The discussion will focus on how conservation professionals can address and prevent the potential economic/ social risks through the better implementation of social impact assessment and rehabilitation packages. The discussion will then identity the essential principles of good practices that would constitute a successful conservation-induced resettlement program which minimize the negative impacts on affected communities. The proposed topic therefore intends to contribute better policy strategies by critically evaluating the practices of compensation, social impact assessment and rehabilitation in conservation-induced resettlement policies. The discussion will focus on three aspects: 1) Can compensation prevent impoverishment among displaced communities? 2) How the social impact assessment has performed in securing livelihoods of displaced communities in current resettlement policies? 3) What is the role of rehabilitation played in conservation-caused resettlement policies? The proposed topic demonstrates a strong connection to conservation science, policy and management practice. Further, it is highly relevant to the meeting theme 'Engaging Society in Conservation' because it allows conservation professionals to examine the complex relationships between culture, society and environment.  

Integrating Marine Historical Ecology into Conservation and Management:  How do we use Knowledge of the Past to Manage for the Future?*
Alison MacDiarmid, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research; Loren McClenachan, Simon Fraser University; John N. (Jack) Kittinger, University of Hawaii at Manoa
WS4; 900am-500pm Dec 5; $30; max 30
CANCELLED  

Merging conservation and maths: Bayesian networks for improved decision-making about biodiversity and conservation under uncertainty*
WS5; 900am-500pm Dec 5; $30; max 60
Dr Sandra Johnson, Dr Samantha Low-Choy and Prof Kerrie Mengersen, Queensland University of Technology 
 Traditional statistical methods and modelling techniques are not suited to data and process paucity. Bayesian Networks (BNs) provide a graphical modelling framework which is ideally suited for integrated modelling to incorporate the many factors and components of biodiversity and species conservation. The visual representation of the key factors and interactions affecting an outcome of interest, such as the threat to biodiversity, make them an ideal communication tool to engage all stakeholders and community representatives. Bayesian networks are growing in popularity in general and in environmental disciplines in particular. A table of the number of published BN journal articles identified through a Current Content search shows a five fold increase in general, and a twenty fold increase in biological sciences from 2000 to 2009. However, the development of more sophisticated BNs, utilising dynamic and object oriented (OO) features is still at the frontier of ecological research, where the available data may be sparse and the underlying biological and physical models very complex. Object Oriented Bayesian networks (OOBNs) enable the construction of more complex and dynamic models when traditional BNs are often inadequate. Species and biodiversity conservation presents an appropriate exposition of this integrated approach to modelling requiring distinct, yet inter-related, aspects of ecological, biological and anthropological factors to be taken into account. 

Urban bird conservation: for birds and people*
WS6; 845am-1245pm Dec 5; $30; max 35
Robert Kwak and J Louwe Kooijmans, VBN Birdlife Netherlands 
This workshop is directly linked to the SCB's congress theme "Engaging society in conservation" with the focus on: i) BIRDS: among the species groups most highly experienced and preferred by all people worldwide (not only conservationists). ii) CITIES: with human society getting more and more urbanized, (>50% of world population in cities since 2007), conservation where people live and work is urgently needed to restore the link between humans and nature. The emphasis of this workshop will be on PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF URBAN BIRD CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION: How are urban birds best monitored? How to optimize urban bird experience by citizens and business life? How can urban bird conservation efforts be integrated in sustainable city planning and design? This workshop aims to bring together both top scholars in the field of urban ornithology as experts in urban bird conservation and education. The workshop organization is a cooperation between Birdlife Netherlands and Wageningen University Research center (e.g. urban ecology, corporate environmental responsibility, sustainable cities). The Netherlands are among the most highly urbanized countries in the world. BirdLife Netherlands serve as global pioneer on conservation of urban birds and is chair of the new Birdlife International Group on Urban Birds (BIG UB). From their urban experience, the workshop organizers recognize how putting attention on urban birds may contribute to get society more engaged in conservation.  

New Zealand Certified Authentic Farmers’ Markets: Building the Local Economy and Conserving the Natural Environment*
WS7; 100pm-500pm Dec 5; $30; max 100
Bernadine Prince, Freshfarm Markets; Kate Christen, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute 
 CANCELLED 

Data Basin:  Online mapping and analysis tools for conservation science, practice, and policy*
WS8; 100pm-500pm Dec 5; $30; max 25
Tosha Comendant and James Strittholt, Conservation Biology Institute 
 The purpose of the workshop is to familiarize users with the design, content, and functionality of Data Basin (www.databasin.org), an online, collaborative system built to support conservation decision-making and education. Data Basin was built because time and limited resources are routinely wasted locating and accessing conservation-related datasets, reviewing data quality, modifying file formats, and buying and learning proprietary software. These factors contribute to a social disconnect between conservation scientists and practitioners, and they create additional barriers for public engagement in conservation issues. To alleviate these challenges, CBI designed Data Basin to enables users from across the globe to explore, visualize, and share conservation datasets, maps, and expertise. Users (1200+) from non-profits, academic, corporate, federal governments, and local/state governments have steadily joined since we launched in May 2010. We have also seen growth in datasets (2500+), user-generated maps (200+), and working groups (75+). The basic features and functionality that we propose to cover in the workshop include exploration of search functions, personal workspaces for organization, mapping and analysis tools, and an overview of available content.  

Participating in a conference: some advice for new-comers 
WS 9; 1230pm-200pm Dec 6
Malcolm Hunter and A. Calhoun, University of Maine 
 This workshop will provide advice to participants, especially students, on the fine art of attending a conference and making effective presentations. Topics to be covered will include: posters (how to fit 5,000 words into a square meter), oral presentations (how to fit 5,000 words into 15 slides), and networking (how to fit 5,000 words into a beer). In other words, we will take a light-hearted look at some ways to make attending a conference an enjoyable and productive experience. The session will be presented by two of the authors of "Saving the Earth as a Career: Advice on becoming a conservation professional" Malcolm Hunter and Aram Calhoun.  

Supercharge Your Science 
WS10; 700pm-900pm Dec 6 *Please note time adjustment
William Laurance, James Cook University; Corey Bradshaw, University of Adelaide
 In this dynamic and fun two-hour workshop, we will highlight a range of strategies for increasing your scientific impact and productivity. This workshop emphasizes transcending scientific audiences to engage the popular media and general public, and thus is highly relevant to the theme of SCB 2011. The workshop is divided into three parts. Part 1 is a 25-minute talk by Prof. William Laurance entitled "Reaching Out: Maximizing Your Public Impact". In it Laurance highlights a variety of approaches for engaging journalists, getting broader recognition for your work, and becoming a science and conservation leader. Part 2, by Prof. Corey Bradshaw, is a timely 30-minute talk entitled "Using Social Media to Supercharge Your Science". Bradshaw tells how blogging, tweeting, webzines, Facebook, and other social media can dramatically increase your ability to reach a diverse audience. Part 3, by Laurance, is an engaging 35-minute talk entitled "How to be More Prolific: Strategies for Writing and Publishing Scientific Papers". Laurance, the author of over 300 scientific and popular articles, highlights strategies for writing better and more easily, producing dynamic research, and dealing with editors and reviewers. The symposium includes a 15-minute coffee break and 15 minutes for questions and discussion. Laurance and Bradshaw have run this workshop twice previously to rave reviews.  

The publication process for SCB's journals 
WS11; 1230pm-200pm Dec 7
Erica Fleishman, John Muir Institute of the Environment, University of California 
 Publication of the journals Conservation Biology and Conservation Letters is a primary mechanism by which the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) advances the science and informs the practice of conserving Earth's biological diversity. In this workshop, the editorial teams of SCB's two peer-reviewed journals will outline the complete process of publication. We will address determination of journal scope and emphasis, the review process and editorial decisions, and production of cohesive volumes. We will highlight ways that authors can increase the probability of publishing in Conservation Biology and Conservation Letters as well as options for serving in an editorial capacity. With our publisher, Wiley-Blackwell, we also will touch on current issues in the publishing industry, from subscription levels and page charges to impact factors.  

The Value of Ecological Economics for Wildlife Conservation 
WS12; 1230pm-200pm Dec 8
Brian Czech, US Fish and Wildlife Service; John Peet, Sustainability Aotearoa New Zealand
This workshop will contribute to the overall conference theme of engaging society in conservation by identifying how many of the current activities which are destructive to wildlife are inherent aspects of the growth economy. Research supporting this conclusion will be presented.  By highlighting both the feasibility and attractiveness of an alternative economic model, the workshop will assist conservation professionals communicate options to both policy makers and the broader public.  Participants will come to understand the intimate communication between wildlife conservation and economic activity, and the inherent problem with an economic model based on continuous growth, especially for conservation goals.  More importantly, participants will come to understand there are attractive and feasible options to the current economic model. Policies which flow from an ecological economics model will be identified, their value to conservation highlighted, with examples given of how many of these policies have in fact been implemented in some jurisdictions. Participants will also be introduced to the Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (www.steadystate.org). An opportunity will be provided to discuss the formation of a New Zealand chapter of CASSE.

Discussion Group: Engaging NASA in the Definition and Development of Conservation Applications 
WS13; 600pm-800pm Dec 8
John Musinsky, Conservation International; Woody Turner and Allison Leidner, NASA Applied Sciences Program; Sarah Burgess-Herbert, NASA Applied Sciences Program / AAAS S&T Policy Fellowship 
 From 2011 to 2025, NASA is planning to launch over a dozen Earth Observing Satellite Missions. At least nine of these missions, which utilize optical, hyperspectral, RADAR, and LiDAR instruments for the monitoring of terrestrial, oceanographic, and atmospheric environments, will have a wide range of potential conservation applications. The data produced and the knowledge resulting from these NASA Earth observing missions are mostly global in coverage and are essentially free and publically accessible. Applications of these data and knowledge can therefore be both national and international in scope. NASA remains interested in exploring ways for the conservation community to provide input into various stages of mission development. This discussion group will give participants an opportunity to: 1) learn about the Decadal Survey and associated missions, including the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) mission, ACE, DESDynI, Geo-CAPE, GPM, HyspIRI, ICESat and SMAP; and, 2) discuss options for better communicating with and engaging NASA in defining and developing conservation-relevant applications as these missions progress. These options may, for example, take the form of communication with Science Team members and/or participation in Science Team meetings for the individual missions, participation on Applications Teams, development of a NASA-Conservation working group, etc.  

Discussion Group: Best practice principles for planning and implementing conservation actions in Indigenous and Traditional communities 
WS14; 1230pm-200pm Dec 9
Alana Grech and Bob Pressey, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University; Helene Marsh, James Cook University 
Effective conservation of biodiversity in regions of Indigenous and Traditional use requires meaningful engagement of communities in the design and implementation of conservation actions. It also requires acknowledgement and strengthening of Indigenous and Traditional cultures that are vital for the effective management and conservation of biodiversity. However, conservation actions to protect Indigenous and Traditional culture and the ecosystems upon which this culture depends have had mixed success due in part, to a dearth of culturally-acceptable and effective conservation planning tools. In preparation for this discussion group, we used case studies to identify processes that contribute to successful conservation initiatives in Indigenous and Traditional communities around the world. We then drafted a series of generic principles designed to promote effective implementation of conservation actions in Indigenous and Traditional communities. The ICCB discussion group will use these draft principles as a starting point, discussing and critiquing the principles and allowing feedback from specialists in conservation biology and representatives of Indigenous and Traditional communities. The published principles that result from the discussion group will provide globally-relevant guidance on the effective engagement of Indigenous and Traditional communities in conservation actions. 

Understanding the impact of illegal wildlife trade in the Asia-Pacific region on conservation 
WS15; 1230pm-200pm Dec 6
Simon Nemtzov, Israel Nature and Parks Authority
 The illegal trade in wildlife around the world causes huge impacts on wildlife conservation. Concerned conservation biologists may be aware that such a problem exists but may not understand the extent of the problem or how they may contribute to its alleviation. This workshop is designed to build capacity of conservation biologists in the Asia and Pacific Regions (including Small Island Developing States) about the extent and dimensions of the problems, with many examples from the field. The workshop will teach the conservation biologists what role they can play in mitigating this tragedy. The participants will learn to identify some of the major species in trade, including parts and derivatives in trade, and will understand how the CITES Convention operates and what the Convention can and cannot do. 

IUCN SSC/WCPA taskforce workshop: Consolidating the criteria for assessing site-level biodiversity conservation significance 
WS16; 700pm-900pm Dec 6 *Please note time adjustment
Thomas Brooks, NatureServe 
The primary threat to biodiversity remains the destruction of important natural habitats, and so the primary response must remain to safeguard these places. But how do we know where these places are? Over the last decade, great advances have been made to answer this, both from theory, with the emergence of the sub-discipline of systematic conservation planning, and from practice, with extensive application of methods to identify important sites (IBAs, IPAs, AZE, KBAs, etc). Now, the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas and Species Survival Commission have convened a joint taskforce (http://www.iucn.org/biodiversity_and_protected_areas_taskforce), an objective of which is to consolidate the criteria for such assessment of biodiversity conservation significance at the site level. Operating through a series of technical taskgroups and regional workshops, the taskforce will produce recommendations to the 2012 World Conservation Congress. The location of the 25th ICCB in Christchurch, New Zealand, provides a unique opportunity for the taskforce to convene such a regional workshop, focused on seeking input from an Oceania-specific perspective. The ultimate objective of this component of the IUCN taskforce's work is the establishment of a global standard for site conservation significance -- a key tool for engaging society in conservation at all levels from local and indigenous communities, through national governments, up to the international level of companies and treaties. 

Silent Crisis or Unspoken Solution? Protected Area Downgrading, Downsizing, and Degazettement 
WS17; 1230pm-200pm Dec 6
Michael Mascia and Sharon Pailler, WWF-US 
 *Please note new time* Conservation policy assumes that national parks and protected areas (PAs) are permanent fixtures on the landscape, but recent research demonstrates that PA downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) is widespread. Conservative estimates reveal more than 580 instances of PADDD, totalling approximately 500,000 km2, in 58 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Though PADDD can – in theory – advance conservation ends through more efficient allocation of conservation assets and more effective forms of resource governance, empirical evidence suggests that PADDD is rarely “pro-conservation.” This workshop will (a) describe patterns, trends, and causes of PADDD; (b) explore the implications of PADDD for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation/REDD; and (c) introduce PADDDtracker.org, a participatory (crowd-sourcing) website for monitoring historic and proposed PADDD globally. 

Moabi: accessing the crowd (and cloud) to address drivers of environmental change and conservation threats. 
WS18; 600pm-800pm Dec 6
Charles Huang, World Wildlife Fund - US 
CANCELLED 

Engaging Local Communities in Science-based Conservation: Successes and Lessons Learned in Papua New Guinea 
WS19; 600pm-800pm Dec 8
Lisa Dabek, Woodland Park Zoo; B. Beehler, Conservation International; A. Krockenberger, James Cook University, Z. Wells and K. Kuna, Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program 
The government-recognized land tenure system in Papua New Guinea (PNG) (indigenous people own over 95% of the land) creates a unique opportunity to focus on community-based conservation and to engage Melanesian society in conservation. One successful example is a community-based conservation program in the YUS Local Level Government region on the Huon Peninsula of Morobe Province. Landowners have pledged portions of their hunting land for the first nationally recognized Conservation Area in PNG and in exchange the community receives education and health benefits, and collaborates on livelihood projects. They also have created a community-based organization to help manage the Conservation Area, and they engage in monitoring and research with outside scientists. This long-term program, as well as other long standing conservation efforts in PNG, can serve as models; however the remoteness of this country has limited the ability to disseminate lessons learned. The purpose of this discussion group is to discuss successful approaches to community-based conservation in PNG and Melanesia and share lessons learned on current conservation research and activities. Facilitators will address key components of successful conservation programs, and attendees will share their experience and expertise in Melanesian community-based conservation efforts. 

Conserving the largest salmon in the world: Challenges and opportunities to protect taimen as threats escalate throughout northern Eurasia 
WS20; 1230pm-200pm Dec 9 and Dec 10 at Auckland University
Peter Rand, Wild Salmon Center; CE ZImmerman, USGS Alaska Science Center, S.Weiss; University of Graz 
 Taimen (species in the genus Hucho or Parahucho) are coldwater salmonids found throughout northern Eurasia. Taimen are the largest salmonids in the world, with maximum lengths possibly exceeding 2 m. They have recently been recognized as one of 20 global freshwater megafishes that are under threat resulting from overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. They are charismatic, apex predators that occupy a globally unique ecological niche. Throughout their natural range these fish have engendered mystery and intrigue, reflected in their common names, including "devil fish" and "river wolf". They represent an extremely important ecological legacy, yet threats to these species are escalating, and two species may already be extinct in the wild. While our understanding of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. and other salmonids (particularly those of commercial value) has increased markedly in the past 50 years, research on taimen has been limited. It has been over 20 years since the last research synthesis was undertaken on this group of fishes. Here we propose a symposium to update our understanding of the species through innovative ecological, fisheries, and conservation-related studies. This convening will provide an opportunity to discuss the prospect of a broader international initiative to help motivate new research with the application of cutting-edge techniques, and undertake needed conservation actions to ensure the species will persist over the next 100 years. On Saturday there will be a fuller round table discussion focusing on a new international initiative and sorting out writing roles and responsibilities for a post-conference publication.  

SCB Chapters: Directly Engaging Society in Scientific Conservation 
WS21; 600pm-800pm Dec 8
Jessica Pratt, Chapters Committee, SCB; F. Nagle, Chapters Committee, BOG, SCB; AM Neils, Chapters Committee, NA Section Board, SCB 
SCB, through its subgroups, effects societal change at multiple levels. One subgroup, SCB Chapters, conducts on-the-ground conservation by directly engaging with individuals and communities personally affected by biodiversity issues and ecological concerns. Chapters are currently located in nine countries and 21 U.S. states, and their members are societal leaders in a variety of conservation activities. These activities teach scientific rigor, demonstrate sound conservation efforts, and engage public interest in biodiversity and successful conservation. Such projects include local habitat restoration, K-12 education programs, and public bioblitzes and workshops. Professional and student members alike contribute their time, energy, and expertise to these efforts, usually with highly positive results. These projects also explore the limits of societal understanding of scientific conservation, and seek to overcome these challenges in new and varied ways. The stories and lessons of these activities will be shared for the first time with the SCB membership-at-large in this symposium. Previously, such stories have been shared solely among SCB Chapters; however, other SCB members, subgroups, and programs can also benefit from the Chapters' experiences in meeting the challenges of directly engaging with society. Chapters help SCB achieve positive conservation outcomes without compromising scientific rigor or integrity, and several activities have already proven scalable to local, regional, and national levels. 

Adaptive management for managing biodiversity in a changing world. 
WS22; 1230pm-200pm Dec 8
Eve McDonald-Madden, University of Queensland and CSIRO Ecosystems Sciences; TG Martin, CSIRO Ecosystems Sciences; HP Possingham, University of Queensland 
Conservation managers face the challenge of making good decisions despite uncertainty around how ecological systems function. This challenge is exacerbated by climate change leading to widely divergent predictions about system change through time. Currently our ability to reduce uncertainty through learning is not captured in most decision-making frameworks. To make good conservation decisions we must evaluate the benefit of gaining information relative to the cost in terms of time and money. Active adaptive management (AM), a process that optimally combines the benefits of efficient management and learning, is touted as the key to achieving this trade-off. Indeed most current science- and policy-based documentation on biodiversity management and climate change outlines the need for evaluating and implementing AM. Despite this, there have been few successful applications of AM. One reason for this lack of uptake is our failing to evaluate the benefits of AM. This symposium will showcase the latest developments in methods for evaluating AM. Presentations will focus on the use of AM for managing biodiversity in the face of the uncertainty surrounding climate change impacts. This symposium is central to the theme of "Engaging Society in Conservation" as often government-funded conservation demands the evaluation of outcomes. Engaging society in AM is perhaps the best way of demonstrating why evaluation leads to learning, and how learning can lead to improved management. 

Science, Politics and Engagement: Tackling Conservation Conflicts in the 21st Century*
WS23; 900am-500pm Dec 10; $30; max 60
S. Redpath, University of Aberdeen; A. Dickman, University of Oxford; A. Evely, University of Aberdeen 
 Conservation of species, habitats and ecosystems can engender intense conflict, as it is often clashes with other interests, especially when conserved species causes problems to humans. These conservation conflicts hinder our ability to effectively manage biodiversity, as well as having lasting economic and social impacts. Conflicts are invariably multidimensional, involving ecological, social and economic aspects, and operate within political and legal frameworks of human societies. Until now, the primary focus has been the ecology of conflicts, but there an emerging recognition that effective mitigation of these complex conflicts demands a holistic approach, incorporating both social sciences and natural sciences, and effectively engaging the relevant communities and stakeholders. This workshop brings speakers from the natural and social sciences together, and engages practitioners experienced in participatory techniques. We will discuss and develop an effective, interdisciplinary framework for addressing conflict, thereby informing future conservation management. The SCB meeting theme provides an excellent backdrop for this workshop, as dialogue and community engagement are at the heart of tackling conflicts. This workshop will produce interdisciplinary recommendations for how conservationists can best mitigate conflict in practice, including how to effectively engage local communities to produce positive outcomes in terms of resolving this critically important issue.  

Tourism, Community and Conservation: Managing the Engagement of Tourism and Visitors in Conservation*
WS24; 900am-500pm Dec 10; $30; max 40
Colin Michael Hall, University of Canterbury
 CANCELLED