Back to 2002 ANNUAL MEETING: SUPPORT, REGISTRATION, AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Up to Table of Contents

Ahead to CONSERVATION EDUCATION: COMMON GROUND IN CONSERVATION

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Grants
• Call for Expert Nominations, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
• New Publications
• Educational Opportunities
• Meetings

Grants

The InterAmerican Institute for Global Change Research announces the IAI Small Grant Program (IAI-SGP). The program supports small research/capacity building/planning activities that will facilitate development of larger science programs and research networks. Themes are understanding climate variability in the Americas; comparative studies of ecosystems, biodiversity, land use, and water resources in the Americas; changes in the composition of the atmosphere, oceans and fresh waters, and integrated assessment, human dimensions and applications. One-time awards will be made on a competitive basis. High priority will be given to new / young scientists of IAI member countries. The purpose of the program is to facilitate review of selected global change issues and plan future research. Principal Investigators or co-PIs must be from at least three ratifying countries in the Americas. Grants of up to US$30,000 will be awarded to 6-8 projects. Proposals for workshops (up to $10,000) and technical reports ($15,000) also will be considered. Allowable costs include travel and meetings, communications, publications and dissemination, computer hardware and software, and modest salary support for the investigators. For more details contact Gerhard Breulmann, Instituto Inter-Americano para Pesquisa em Mudanças Globais (IAI), c/o INPE, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, CEP 12227-010, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil, (55-12) 3945-6865, FAX (55-12) 3941-4410, gerhard@dir.iai.int, www.iai.int.

Call for Expert Nominations, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) seeks nominations of social and natural scientists to participate as experts or reviewers in the MA process. The MA is an international assessment that will meet decision-makers' needs for scientific information on the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and on the response options available to address undesired changes. As a "multi-scale" assessment, the MA will seek to inform the global findings with information and perspectives from the local, national and regional scale, and inform local findings with a global context. The MA is designed to meet a portion of the assessment needs of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention to Combat Desertification, Wetlands Convention, and other users including the private sector, civil society, and indigenous people. Nominations for reviewers will be accepted through 1 August 2002. Nominations will be reviewed by the MA Board and Assessment Panel. Reviewers will be notified in late 2002. As with other international assessments, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the salary of experts involved in the MA generally must be covered by their home institutions and governments. The technical work of the Assessment will be conducted in English and all nominees must be fluent in spoken and written English. For information on the nomination requirements and the roles of the MA experts and reviewers, see www.millenniumassessment.org.

New Publications

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) announces the publication of the report Global trade and consumer choices: coral reefs in crisis. The report features papers by five experts on the global trade in coral reef species and coral reef conservation. The papers analyze the causes and consequences of trade in coral reef animals and the role of the U.S. as both a major importer and leader in trade and conservation efforts. The report also presents solutions to reduce the negative impacts of trade on reefs while promoting long-term benefits to local communities through sustainable resource use. Authors address scientific concerns such as how to determine sustainability of resource use, policy issues (how to certify and regulate trade), and public awareness. The report is available free of charge at www.aaas.org/international/ssa or from Africa Program, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 326-6651, FAX (202) 289-4958, africa@aaas.org. The new AAAS report Partnerships for strengthening conservation biology in Africa also is available from the same address.

The Union of Concerned Scientists and the Smithsonian's Center for Tropical Forest Science announce the release of a new report, Logging off: mechanisms to stop or prevent industrial logging in forests of high conservation value. The report provides a broad assessment of potential tools to reduce or eliminate industrial logging in high conservation value forests. The authors review case studies of different approaches that have already been applied in tropical and temperate forests and identify 15 different mechanisms through which logging could be stopped or prevented. These range from purchasing timber concessions and cracking down on illegal logging to international timber boycotts and import bans. Several mechanisms have been successfully implemented. The report concludes with recommendations for actions that policymakers, NGOs, donor agencies, and industry can take to apply these mechanisms more broadly and effectively. Download a PDF copy at www.ucsusa.org/environment/logging.html or order a paper copy from .

Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy has launched a new page that seeks to catalog available wildlife resources on the internet. The resource page, www.jiwlp.com/cgi/links.cgi, is organized into 19 categories, and its initial incarnation contains more than 1400 links. Visitors to the page are encouraged to send us suggestions for additional links; the site will ultimately facilitate adding those links automatically. Of course, please also inform us of dead links or redirects.

Educational Opportunities

Distance sampling workshops will be held 10-17 July 2002 at the University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. The Introductory Workshop (10-12 July) will focus on standard distance sampling methods, survey design, and methods of analysis for distance sampling surveys. The Advanced Workshop (15-17 July) will address automated survey design, adaptive sampling, incorporating covariates into the detection function, and spatial modeling of density. The cost of each workshop will be £440 Sterling (£340 for registered students) or £755 for both (£570 for students). For more details contact Workshop Organisers, CREEM, Mathematical Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9SS, +44 0 1334 363813, FAX +44 0 1334 363714, rhona@mcs.st-and.ac.uk or cathy@mcs.st-and.ac.uk, www.ruwpa.st-and.ac.uk or www.creem.st-and.ac.uk.

The 2002 Ant Course will be held 6-16 August 2002 at the Southwestern Research Station in Portal, Arizona. The course is designed for systematists, ecologists, behaviorists, conservation biologists, and other biologists who would like a greater understanding of ant taxonomy. It emphasizes the classification and identification of more than fifty ant genera of North America. Lectures will include background information on the ecology, life histories and evolution of ants. Field trips are structured to teach collecting and sampling techniques, and associated lab work provides instruction on specimen preparation, sorting and labeling. Information on equipment/supply vendors, literature, and human resources also will be presented. SWRS is centered amid the richest ant fauna in North America. The course will be offered annually. Priority will be given to biologists for whom the course will have a significant impact on their research. An entomological background is not required. The course is limited to 24 participants. Four fellowships are available for 2002. Two cover tuition fees and two cover station fees. Deadline for applications is 1 April 2002. Decisions will be made by 25 April. For more information contact Brian Fisher, Department of Entomology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118-4599, (415) 750-7240, FAX (415) 750-7228, bfisher@calacademy.org, www.calacademy.org/research/entomology/Ant_Course/ant_course.html.

Rainforest and Reef, a non-profit organization, offers field courses in rainforest and marine ecology in ten countries. All programs are operated by partner organizations with a strong commitment to conservation and education. Ninety-nine percent of all participation fees stay with the partners to assist in local conservation and education projects. Programs are suitable for students and educators at all levels (K-university) as well as families and interested individuals. Three undergraduate or graduate credits are available through Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, Michigan); see www.aquinas.edu. For more information contact Mike Nolan, Rainforest and Reef, 29 Prospect NE Suite #8, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, Telephone and FAX (616) 776-5928 or (877) 769-3086, mnolan@rainforestandreef.org, www.rainforestandreef.org.

Meetings

The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC), American Museum of Natural History and sponsoring partners will host the CBC's seventh annual spring symposium, Sustaining seascapes: the science and policy of marine resource management, 7-8 March 2002 in New York City. The symposium will explore the conservation of marine biodiversity and fisheries through the integrated design of marine protected areas (MPAs), MPA networks, and other complementary coastal management frameworks. The symposium will feature invited speakers and contributed posters. To receive symposium updates, contact biodiversity@amnh.org or visit http://research.amnh.org/biodiversity/. To register for the symposium, contact Central Reservations, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, (212) 769-5200, FAX (212) 769-5272, tickets@amnh.org. In February and early March 2002, CBC also will host public lectures and panel discussions exploring the current state of marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities in the northeastern US and around the world. For more details contact CBC at the above address.

The 2002 annual meeting of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), Evolution: understanding life on Earth, will be held 22-24 March in Arlington, Virginia. Speakers and informal discussion groups will address evolutionary mechanisms and patterns, replication studies, genomics and development, conservation and population biology, formal education K-16, public education, anti-evolution, public policy and politics, and faith-based issues. More information is available from AIBS, (703) 790-1745, admin@aibs.org, www.aibs.org.

The Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council will host the 4th Annual Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium, Rescuing our natural heritage, 3-5 April 2002 in Nashville, Tennessee. The interdisciplinary symposium will focus on issues related to the spread and impact of invasive exotic pest plants in natural areas and wildlands. Presentation topics will include applied ecology, control and management, outreach and education, government actions, introduction pathways, and screening and assessment. Objectives include (1) exchange of information on cost-efficient management of invasive exotics, (2) providing a forum to develop networks of mutual assistance, and (3) facilitating dialogue between policy makers, managers, and researchers. Updates on the symposium, a registration form, and an agenda will be posted at www.se-eppc.org.

The Desert Research Institute will sponsor the symposium Spring-fed wetlands as significant cultural and scientific resources of the Intermountain West from 7-9 May 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The purpose of the symposium is to educate scientists and stakeholders, identify common interests regarding spring resources, stimulate discussion about conflicting uses, and develop methods to allow cultural use while maintaining biological integrity. Invited and contributed paper and poster sessions will address hydrology, cultural uses, water policy, ecology, paleoclimate, biogeography and resource management. Deadline for abstracts is 1 March. For further information contact Donald Sada, Desert Research, Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno NV 89509, (775) 673-7359, dsada@dri.edu.

The 82nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) will be held 15-19 June 2002 at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana. This year's program will feature two symposia: Wildlife capture, handling and release? large and small, and Macroecology of mammals: patterns, processes and possibilities. Non-members who are interested in attending the meetings and/or presenting papers should request materials from Gale Haigh, (337) 475-5667. For additional information regarding conference arrangements, contact Haigh or Greg Hartman (337) 475-5672 or see www.mcneese.edu/asm2002. For more information about the ASM, see www.mammalsociety.org.

A Rocky Mountain summit, Sustaining ecosystems and their people, will be held 22-26 September 2002 in Whitefish, Montana. The purpose of the summit is to increase awareness and understanding of the social, cultural, economic and ecological significance of mountain ecosystems. Holding the conference in 2002 is significant because the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2002 the International Year of Mountains. The summit will include plenary and concurrent sessions and field trips. For more information see www.cares.missouri.edu/rms2002 or contact Julia Rodriguez, (573) 882-7458, rodriguezj@missouri.edu or Jessie Williams-Bell, (573) 882-9291, williamsbellj@missouri.edu.

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Conference will be held 24-26 September 2002 in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference will address efforts to protect and restore wetland and riparian habitats in the Chesapeake Bay region. Attendee affiliations will include public agencies, private conservation groups and corporations, universities, and citizens' groups. For more information regarding registration (available May 2002) and the call for papers (available now) contact Chesapeake Bay Watershed Conference, c/o Hannah Kirchner, P.O. Box 144, Paoli, IN 47454, (812-723-0088), hannahk@kiva.net, www.potomac.org.

The Peregrine Fund and Fondo Peregrino-Panamá will host an international conference on neotropical raptors and Harpy Eagle symposium from 24-27 October 2002. The objectives of the meeting are to share knowledge, interests, and concerns and help develop a network of practitioners in the fields of raptor conservation, research, captive breeding, and falconry. For details contact Neotropical Raptor Conference, The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 83709, (208) 362-3717, FAX (208) 362-2376, tpf@peregrinefund.org, www.peregrinefund.org/nrconference.html.

Back to 2002 ANNUAL MEETING: SUPPORT, REGISTRATION, AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Up to Table of Contents

Ahead to CONSERVATION EDUCATION: COMMON GROUND IN CONSERVATION