Society for Conservation GIS and SCB announce concurrent meetings

The ninth annual international conference of the Society for Conservation GIS (Geographic Information Systems) will be held 24–28 June 2006 in San Jose, California, USA, concurrent with SCB's 20th annual meeting. The two societies share the goal of creating an international community of conservation professionals and GIS practitioners to build conservation capacity and promote geospatial technologies at local, regional, and global levels. The two conferences share the common theme of Conservation Without Borders, with the four major threads of local-level and regional-level conservation, marine and freshwater conservation, 21st century conservation, and transboundary conservation.

To realize the maximum benefit from this partnership, SCGIS and SCB members registering for either conference will be allowed to attend all events (technical and social) of both societies at no additional cost. Similarly, training sessions (which may incur additional fees) organized by either society are open to all attendees on a first-come basis.

More SCGIS conference information, including abstract instructions and registration (conference, lodging, membership, field trips, and training), will be provided in the coming weeks on the SCGIS Web site.

Benefit Auction

The Society for Conservation Biology and the Society for Conservation GIS will be conducting a silent and live auction during this year's concurrent conference to share treasures and artwork from around the globe. We invite you to donate an item from your culture, community, or country and come to the auction prepared to bid on some wonderful and exotic items. All donations are appreciated and cherished; no item is too big, too small, or too unusual. Suggestions for donations include artwork, pottery, baskets, jewelry, books, photographs, specialty foods or spirits, or anything else you can think of! Share your work, your history, and your passion with other conservation colleagues.

Each item will be displayed with an auction bid sheet that provides a short description, cultural significance, origin information, and suggested minimum bid. If your donated item has a special story or unusual history, please share it with others. Please contact Michelle Kinzel at kinzel@cox.net for any auction-related questions, including shipping arrangements if necessary.

All money received from the auction will be shared by both societies to support international and domestic scholarship programs that provide travel and training assistance to fellow conservationists from around the world. Past auctions have raised more than $10,000, helping to support many conservationists in the SCGIS Scholarship Program. Let's all try to make this the most profitable and most enjoyable auction to date.

Even if you cannot donate an item, please come to the auction ready to bid on items and socialize with other conservationists. Dessert and drinks will be served.

Thank you in advance for your participation!