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2003 ANNUAL MEETING: A GREAT GATHERING ON A GREAT LAKE

SCB's 17th Annual Meeting was held on the dynamic shores of Lake Superior from 28 June to 2 July 2003 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in Duluth, Minnesota, USA. As participants arrived on Saturday, the northeastern winds off of Lake Superior surprised those dressed for summer, but the lake calmed and gorgeous summer weather returned for the remainder of the meeting.

Co-hosts of the meeting included the Natural Resources Research Institute, Minnesota Sea Grant, and Continuing Education (all from the University of Minnesota Duluth) and the Conservation Biology Graduate Program of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Additional financial sponsors of the meeting included SCB, the U.S. National Science Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Sea Grant, Blandin Paper, Large Lakes Observatory of the University of Minnesota, and The Wilderness Society. These sponsors allowed the partial support of symposia, 25 speakers from outside the United States, four plenary speakers, and partial support for more than 100 students from around the world.

The meeting was attended by 1137 individuals, including over 300 students, and, hence, was the largest gathering of SCB. Forty-five countries were represented as well 47 U.S. states. The four-day meeting included 15 symposia, eight workshops, and nine discussion groups. Most days included eight concurrent morning and afternoon sessions, and a total of 418 oral and 133 posters were accepted for presentation. Nearly 100 individuals attended ten field trips to the International Wolf Center, Isle Royale National Park, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and other destinations.

The meeting's theme, Conservation of Land-Water Interactions, was the focus of no fewer than seven symposia that emphasized marine, freshwater, and wetland ecosystems. Each of the four outstanding plenary lectures also focused attention on these interactions. Following the successful format of the 16th annual SCB meeting in Canterbury, each morning was ignited by a plenary address. Michael Dombeck, former Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and now at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, opened the meeting on Sunday morning and presented the many challenges that SCB faces in the 21st century. On Monday morning, David Schindler of the University of Alberta - Edmonton enlightened members on the rapid changes that are occurring in Canada's boreal forests. On Tuesday, Joy Zedler of the University of Wisconsin - Madison articulated the tremendous needs and opportunities associated with wetland restoration. The last plenary on Wednesday, given by Jane Lubchenco of Oregon State University (and Past President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Eecological Society of America), laid the foundation for marine conservation, a huge challenge and opportunity for SCB members.

An evening was dedicated to meetings of the emerging SCB sections. Substantial progress was made by all sections: Africa, Asia, Austral and Neotropical America, Australasia, Europe, Marine, and North America. The SCB members' meeting also had a dedicated time slot and was attended by more than 200 individuals.

The meeting included numerous social gatherings at local pubs and restaurants. Sunday night included inspiring performances by The Third Generation (a Finnish cultural group with an amazing operatic tenor), Liz Jaakola (a Native American folk singer), and Willowgreen (a world-famous Celtic vocal and instrumental group). Monday night was highlighted by a cruise on a tame Lake Superior, rock and roll band and hula hoop contest included. The awards ceremony and banquet concluded the meeting on Wednesday night.

It was a pleasure to serve SCB and share the western Great Lakes region with so many wonderful individuals. We thank all of the enthusiastic people that contributed so much time to organizing this meeting. We look forward to seeing you all at the 18th annual meeting in New York City in 2004.

Gerald Niemi and Carl Richards, Co-hosts
On behalf of the SCB 2003 Organizing Committee

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