Chapter News Archive

 SCB Chapters and Public Policy Activities
Report from the North America Section 1st Bi-annual Meeting
Little Rock, Arkansas
24 May 2007 (updated 27 June 2007)
by Fiona Nagle, Chair, Chapters Advisory Committee

SCB has a new approach to environmental public policy and has hired a policy director, John Fitzgerald.  The North America Section has been key to designing and implementing this new approach, and the chapters will be an important part of this new direction for SCB.  On May 24
2007, the Chapters Advisory Committee Chair (Fiona Nagle) met with John and the North America Section Board at the 1st annual North America Section meeting in Arkansas.  The potential relationship between the section, chapters, the Executive Office, and policy activities was discussed.  Four chapter representatives (Florida, Minnesota, Montana, D.C.) also reported on their chapters' policy activities at the Section members meeting that same day.  These chapters represented a range of activities, from nascent ideas to position statements and formal meetings with legislators.  The chapters' ability to undertake activities as they see fit will not be impeded, but SCB wants to be more coordinated so we all speak with a stronger voice.  The results of May 24 are as follows:

• SCB is focusing on 5 main areas: Climate Change, Scientific Integrity, Treaties, Biological Security, and Green Investing.  Activities undertaken in these 5 areas should be coordinated with the Executive Office (John Fitzgerald) and the Section Policy Chair (Dominick DellaSala).  For example, an email should be sent with plans and materials for feedback from these 2 people before being implemented/ distributed.
• Activities in other areas should be coordinated with Dominick (eg a heads-up email sent to Dom).  If a chapter feels their activity requires the input of someone at the national or international level, then they should also feel free to contact John.
• The question of how this change affects the policy disclaimer in chapter bylaws (ie chapter activities do not necessarily reflect SCB-global) needs to be addressed.
• Other Executive Office/Capitol Hill activities will likely present opportunities for chapters as well, such as hosting a congressperson on a local issues field trip or conducting educational meetings/workshops for local/regional politicians.
• In 2008, a policy workshop for chapters will be given.

New Orleans Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology

SCB would like to acknowledge the temporary loss of the New Orleans SCB Chapter (NOSCB), and express our sympathy and support. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, NOSCB was a thriving and active chapter on the campus of the University of New Orleans, with a strong focus on environmental education and assistance with local conservation projects. Since Katrina, chapter members have scattered and the university is marshalling its resources so it can open again next spring. Meanwhile, we've heard from Rachel Wallace (president) and Laura Vogel of the chapter, who assure us they are well and that a number of members are currently staying in the area. They hope to get the chapter back on its feet in 2006, and meanwhile will be volunteering with the Red Cross and The Nature Conservancy.

The NOSCB Chapter will definitely have an important and long-term role to play in the recovery from Katrina.

Rachel Wallace, NOSCB president, has provided two websites that offer preliminary information on the environmental impacts of Katrina. The Gulf Coast was home to a number of endangered species, including the Mississippi Sandhill Crane, and supported several wildlife refuges and wetland conservation projects:

National Wildlife Refuges - www.fws.gov/refuges/
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation - www.saveourlake.org

We wish all the best to Rachel, Chad Ellinwood (vice-president), Laura, and the members of NOSCB in their personal recoveries from Katrina and with their future efforts as a strong and cohesive group.

Sincerely,
Fiona Nagle, chair, Chapter Advisors Committee
Tom Sisk, Chapter-BOG Liaison
Kat Powers, SCB Executive Office