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ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Online Journal

The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) at the American Museum of Natural History is pleased to announce the launch of its new online journal, Lessons in Conservation (LinC). LinC is the official publication of the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP), a collaborative project of the American Museum of Natural History and a number of institutions and individuals around the world. NCEP is designed to develop the capacity necessary to sustain the world's biological and cultural diversity.

Teaching modules contained in LinC can include synthesis documents summarizing a conservation-related topic, field or laboratory exercises with accompanying solutions, and relevant short case studies with teaching notes illustrating particular themes from NCEP modules. All modules include current, peer-reviewed content, are designed to facilitate active approaches to teaching, and are selected from among the modules developed by NCEP (http://ncep.amnh.org). Topics included in this inaugural issue include

An introduction to marine conservation biology

Assessing threats in conservation planning and management

Ecosystem loss and fragmentation

Forest fragmentation and its effects on biological diversity: a mapping exercise

Biodiversity conservation and Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDPs)

Funding Opportunities

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a new funding opportunity to improve undergraduate education in biology. NSF seeks to support networks that will catalyze positive changes in undergraduate education in biology. Application of new technologies to enhance pedagogy, increased use of inquiry based learning, enhancement of curricula with ideas from the frontiers of science, and building research into curricula to motivate the next generation of scientists all may benefit from increased collaboration among those who develop and offer undergraduate biology curricula. Research Coordination Networks-Undergraduate Biology Education (RCN-UBE), a new track within NSF's existing RCN program, will provide opportunities to join biology and education researchers and practitioners in networks that enhance the exchange of ideas and innovative practices related to biology. The Dear Colleague letter can be viewed at www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08035/nsf08035.jsp. The target due date for proposals for the current round of funding is 30 June 2008.

The Dennis Raveling Scholarship for Waterfowl Research is awarded annually to a student(s) with a desire to pursue a career in waterfowl or wetlands ecology. Awards are based on the candidate's resolve, academic achievement, and project merit. Candidates must be pursuing an advanced degree in wildlife, zoology, botany, ecology, or another pertinent biological science. Applicants should submit a one-page proposal summary for an original research or management project and be prepared to submit a detailed project proposal if requested. Two awards will be given this year, one of US$2000 and one of US$1000. Along with the proposal summary, submit a resume, statement of interest, letter from a faculty member indicating willingness to sponsor the candidate and detailing any requirements (e.g., final report or thesis) for receiving university credit, and contact information for two references. Application deadline is 31 October 2008. Send applications to Nicole Chavez, California Waterfowl Association, 4630 Northgate Blvd., Suite 150, Sacramento, California 95834, USA, nicole_berset@calwaterfowl.org.

Meetings

The International EcoHealth Forum 2008, EcoHealth: Healthy Environments, Healthy People, will be held 1-5 December in Mérida, México. The forum is hosted by the National Institute of Public Health of México in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre, International Association for Ecology and Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil, Institute of Ecological Research, Brazil, and the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The forum will promote research, theory, and practice around the world to consolidate the growing community of researchers, policy-makers, and civil society representatives. It will generate a better understanding of the holistic links between ecosystems and human health and the identification of pathways for more sustainable action and interventions. The role of transdisciplinary approaches towards discovery and sustainable solutions will be emphasized throughout. For more information or to submit an abstract, visit www.ecohealth2008.org or contact Jamie Grace Engle, ecohealth2008@insp.mx.

The 2009 joint meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society and Association of Field Ornithologists will be held 8-12 April 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The meeting will be hosted by the National Aviary and Powdermill Nature Reserve. Abstract submission will open in the third quarter of 2008 and a meeting Web site will be online by the middle of 2008. Ideas for workshops and symposia are currently being accepted. For more information contact Todd Katzner, Department of Conservation and Field Research, National Aviary, 700 Arch St., Allegheny Commons West, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 16212, USA, 1 412 323-7235 x210, todd.katzner@aviary.org.

Back to UPDATES FROM REGIONAL SECTIONS AND WORKING GROUPS

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Ahead to Call for 2009 Award Nominations