SER Calendar of Events
Sustaining Florida's Wildlife Heritage Amid 21st Century Challenges
Date(s):	May 20-23, 2008
Location:	Hilton Hotel - Cocoa Beach, Florida
Details:	The Organization of Wildlife Lands and Realty Specialists (OWLS), an Affiliate of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), is holding their 24th annual conference on Florida's Space Coast. This year's theme focuses on the ongoing work and commitment to protect Florida's wildlife heritage and the efforts being made to address 21st century challenges. The organizing agency, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, hopes participants will leave with new ideas, approaches, methods, and an understanding of Florida's commitment to conserve wildlife and their habitats and how the State plans to accomplish that goal in the coming decades. To learn more about the conference and to register, visit http://www.ces.fau.edu/OWLS08/
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Urban Biodiversity & Design Conference
Date(s):	21-24 May 2008
Location:	Erfurt, Germany
Details:	The third Conference of the COmpetence NeTwork URban ECology -- "Urban Biodiversity & Design: Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity in Towns and Cities" -- will be held 21-24, May 2008 in Erfurt, Germany. The deadline for abstract submissions has been extended until November 15, 2007. You can submit your abstract online under http://www.urbio2008.com/content/abstract_submission_generell.php.
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Global Climate Change and the Future Direction of Wetland Restoration - New Perspectives from SER
Date(s):	May 26-30, 2008
Location:	SWS Conference - Washington, DC
Details:	SER Sponsors SWS Conference SER is sponsoring the Society for Wetland Scienctists annual conference in Washington, DC from May 26-30 through a panel discussion (see description below) that includes Kevin Erwin, William Mitcsh, Keith Bowers and William Platt. Don't miss this great opportunity to hear from the luminaries in our field. Visit www.sws.org/2008_meeting to register. PANEL DISCUSSION #4: Global Climate Change and the Future Direction of Wetland Restoration - New Perspectives from SER. Organized by: Kevin Erwin and Sasha Alexander Climate change can be expected to act in conjunction with a range of other stressors, many of which, depending on the region, are a concern for wetlands and their water resources. Wetland systems are vulnerable and particularly susceptible to changes in both the quantity and quality of water supply. It appears that climate change will have its most pronounced effect on wetlands through alterations in hydrological regimes - specifically, the nature and variability of the hydroperiod and the number and severity of extreme events. As the underlying fundamentals of wetland ecosystems and mega-watersheds continue to experience change, restoration scientists and practitioners have begun to re-examine the concepts of planning, goals, and wetland management. The effects of climate change probably will be exacerbated by other human-induced stressors such as unsustainable development and agricultural conversion to increase the loss, degradation and transformation of wetlands around the world. As a result, important provisioning and regulating services provided by both coastal and interior wetlands are being threatened as never before. In the future, wetland restoration may become a critical management tool to mitigate the impacts of climate change by replacing lost ecosystems and providing buffers to damaged ecosystems. The Society for Ecological Restoration International is now in the process of revisiting a number of important concepts and paradigms for ecological restoration in the face of global climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances. The intent of this panel is to address the role of restoration and adaptive management techniques in promoting ecosystem resilience given the increased levels of stress and uncertainty due to climate change and unrelenting human pressures. The panel will feature short presentations, case studies, and audience participation.
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Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting & Conference
Date(s):	May 26-30, 2008
Location:	Washington, D.C.
Details:	May 26-30, 2008, Wardman Park Hotel in Washington DC Society of Wetland Scientists 29th Annual Meeting, Capitalizing on Wetlands The mission of the Society of Wetland Scientists is to promote understanding, scientifically-based management, and sustainable use of wetlands. This year, SWS joins with the Association of State Wetland Managers and the Society for Ecological Restoration to produce a national election year program that will bring wetland issues and research to the forefront of media and congressional attention. The conference will include plenary sessions, symposia, panel discussions, workshops, contributed oral presentations, poster sessions, exhibitor booths, a silent auction, chapter and society business meetings, social functions, and field trips. The meeting theme, Capitalizing on Wetlands, highlights the need for integrating the breadth of wetland science, encompassing biogeography, conservation, ecology, hydrology, management, nutrient cycling and contamination, and wildlife biology with economics, public policy, and education. Wetland functions and values confer upon them capital. Understanding and communicating the nature of this capital will be critical to making decisions at local to global levels about the management, protection, and fate of the world's wetlands. The meeting provides a great opportunity for families to mesh the meeting with a Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC. Contact: Kel Wieder (Kelman.wieder@villanova.edu) or Terry Doss (tdoss@biohabitats.com), Meeting Co-Chairs For more information, visit the meeting website: http://www.sws.org/2008_meeting/index.html
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Creation and Restoration of Wetlands Short Course
Date(s):	July 9-11, 2008
Location:	The Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio
Details:	Early registration discount deadline: June 13, 2008 Wetland Restoration and Wetland Delineation Short Courses at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, The Ohio State University Professional wetland short courses for practicing engineers, planners, scientists, and resource managers at the Heffner Wetland Building at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, Columbus, Ohio July 9-11, 2008 (3 days) CREATION AND RESTORATION OF WETLANDS Instructors: William J. Mitsch and Roy R. "Robin" Lewis, III This course introduces the basics of wetland creation and restoration for mitigation of lost wetlands or wildlife habitat creation, i.e., the so-called "mitigation wetlands." Course will emphasize proper landscape approaches and working with site hydrology. Case studies from Ohio and several other locations will be used to illustrate principles. August 11-15, 2008 (5 days) WETLAND DELINEATION Instructors: Ralph W. Tiner, Mark D. DeBrock, Frank Gibbs, and William J. Mitsch Introduction to techniques of estimating the boundaries of wetlands. Emphasis on criteria for soils, vegetation, and hydrology. Field testing and final home examination. Certificates are issued to those who complete the course successfully including take-home examination. For both courses: . Course fee includes textbook and material binder . Courses taught at 50-acre Olentangy River Wetland Research Park and surrounding wetlands . Continuing education credits More information: http://swamp.osu.edu/ShortCourses/index.html or mitsch.1@osu.edu
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Wetland Delineation Short Course
Date(s):	August 11-15, 2008
Location:	The Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio
Details:	Early registration discount deadline: June 13, 2008 Wetland Restoration and Wetland Delineation Short Courses at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, The Ohio State University Professional wetland short courses for practicing engineers, planners, scientists, and resource managers at the Heffner Wetland Building at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, Columbus, Ohio July 9-11, 2008 (3 days) CREATION AND RESTORATION OF WETLANDS Instructors: William J. Mitsch and Roy R. "Robin" Lewis, III This course introduces the basics of wetland creation and restoration for mitigation of lost wetlands or wildlife habitat creation, i.e., the so-called "mitigation wetlands." Course will emphasize proper landscape approaches and working with site hydrology. Case studies from Ohio and several other locations will be used to illustrate principles. August 11-15, 2008 (5 days) WETLAND DELINEATION Instructors: Ralph W. Tiner, Mark D. DeBrock, Frank Gibbs, and William J. Mitsch Introduction to techniques of estimating the boundaries of wetlands. Emphasis on criteria for soils, vegetation, and hydrology. Field testing and final home examination. Certificates are issued to those who complete the course successfully including take-home examination. For both courses: . Course fee includes textbook and material binder . Courses taught at 50-acre Olentangy River Wetland Research Park and surrounding wetlands . Continuing education credits More information: http://swamp.osu.edu/ShortCourses/index.html or mitsch.1@osu.edu
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Summer Field Course: Oregon Restoration Ecology
Date(s):	June 16-27 2008
Location:	The Metolius Preserve, Oregon
Details:	This course offers hands-on experience at ecological restoration projects in Central Oregon. Study sites range from the wet forests of the High Cascades to the juniper-sage scrub of the Oregon desert. A diverse faculty from the University of Oregon and Oregon State University instruct in restoration methods, invasive species, soils, geomorphology, and philosophy. The course is four quarter-credits, and is designed for upper-division students (juniors, seniors, and graduated seniors) and entry-level masters students from any academic institution. $525 covers tuition, fees, room, and board. Past participants in this course have come from the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Humboldt State University, and the University of Washington. For more information, including photos, student comments, a sample syllabus, and how to apply, visit www.uoregon.edu/~ecolrest. Contact: Dr. Matt Orr University of Oregon Chandler Building 1027 NW Trenton Bend, OR 97701 541-617-4671 matorr@uoregon.edu
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SER Texas 2008 Annual Meeting and Conference
Date(s):	August 8-10, 2008
Location:	Fort Davis, Texas
Details:	The Texas Chapter of the SER will hold its annual meeting and conference at Indian Lodge in Fort Davis State Park.
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SER 6th European Conference on Ecological Restoration
Date(s):	8-12 September 2008
Location:	International Convention Center, Ghent (Belgium)
Details:	The SER Europe Chapter presents "Towards a Sustainable Future for European Ecosystems," providing restoration guidelines for Natura 2000 habitats and species. You are invited to register and to submit an abstract or workshop proposal addressing any of the themes of the conference at the conference website: www.ser2008.be. We especially welcome contributions of general importance to both scientists and practitioners active in the framework of the Natura 2000 network. • Call for registrations, abstracts and workshop proposals opens 1 December 2007 • Call for additional sessions closes 15 February 2008 • Call for abstracts and workshops closes 1 April 2008 • Confirmation of acceptance before 1 May 2008 • Invitation to submit short papers (max. 4 pages): 1 May 2008 • Deadline for early registration with reduced fees: 1 June 2008 • Paper submission and registrations close 30 June 2008 Themes of the Conference: Restoration of Natura 2000 habitat types • grasslands and heaths • bogs and fens • lakes, rivers and estuaries • marine and coastal ecosystems and forests • rocky habitats and caves Restoration of habitats and conditions for Natura 2000 species • Reference values for habitat quality and minimum viable population sizes • Evaluation of habitat restoration projects • Evaluation of species reintroduction measures Fragmentation and connectivity in networks of protected sites, in particular the Natura 2000 network • How dense and complete are the networks and what connectivity level is needed? • How to improve connectivity? • Restoration actions across state boundaries • Expected impact of climate change and possible countermeasures • Expected impact of exotic, invasive species and possible countermeasures setting the abiotic conditions right through ecological restoration • Effects and countermeasures for driving pressures and threats (e.g. eutrophication, acidification, drainage, etc.) • Restoration of industrial and polluted areas From a static habitat to a dynamic ecosystem approach • Restoration of wilderness areas allowing for natural development without human interventions • The importance of natural dynamics in ecosystem restoration social, economic and legal aspects of ecological restoration • Ecological restoration in relation to agricultural and water policy: opportunities and constraints • Socio-economic constraints, benefits and solutions for ecological restoration • Restoration planning across different social interests: improving public awareness, participation and support • Legal constraints and solutions for successful ecological restoration • Improving collaboration between scientists, policy makers and practitioners • Policy measures to cope with loss of traditional management the conference organisers especially welcome review studies and innovative case studies (both focusing on successes and failures), generating best practice guidelines for policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders. Presented by: Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Europe Chapter Organiser: Research Institute for Nature and Forest Co-organisers: EU Commission (DG Environment), Flemish Agency of Nature and Forest, Flemish Land Agency Partners: Ghent University, University of Antwerp, Catholic University of Leuven, Free University of Brussels, Natuurpunt Contact: Kris Decleer, ser2008@inbo.be, tel. +32 (0)9 235 22 96 Download an event flier at http://www.ser.org/pdf/2008EuropeConference.pdf
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4th National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration
Date(s):	October 11-15, 2008
Location:	Providence, Rhode Island
Details:	4TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL AND ESTUARINE HABITAT RESTORATION Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, Rhode Island October 11-15, 2008 Restore America's Estuaries is pleased to announce the Call for Dedicated Sessions, Presentations and Posters for the 4th National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration - Creating Solutions through Collaborative Partnerships. Proposals are due January 31, 2008. The Conference Program will address all aspects of coastal and estuarine habitat restoration, in all habitats and at all scales. Habitat restoration - manipulation of the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning self-sustaining natural or historic structure and functions to former or degraded habitat offers great promise for reversing trends of habitat loss and degradation and is a crucial component of comprehensive ecosystem restoration, protection and management. To submit a proposal for a dedicated session, presentation, or poster, complete the proposal form then submit your proposal online at www.program.estuaries.org. Themes and Topics While presentations and posters that address the specific topics identified in each theme are encouraged, you may also submit a proposal that falls outside of the suggested topics and themes. I. Coastal Restoration in the Context of Climate Change II. Human Dimensions of Restoration III. Education and Outreach IV. Comprehensive Ecosystem Restoration and Management V. Advances in Science and Technology VI. Best Practices On-the-Ground VII. Measuring and Communicating Results VIII. Policy and Funding Student Poster Contest All students with Posters at the Conference will be entered into the Student Poster Contest. Cash prizes will be awarded. If you are interested in judging the student posters, please contact Elsa Carlisle at conference@estuaries.org. Timeline and Due Dates • January 31, 2008 - All Proposals due • April 30, 2008 - Presenters notified of selection status.
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Approaches for Effective Ecological Restoration Monitoring
Date(s):	November 16-20, 2008
Location:	Tampa, Florida
Details:	29th Annual North American SETAC Meeting in Tampa, Florida, November 16-20, 2008. For more info or questions, contact: Sue Kennedy (susan_kennedy@ios.doi.gov) A recent review of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) program identified the need to explore improved approaches for measuring restoration success resulting from NRDAR restoration activities. The success of on-site restoration activities is dependent on returning injured resources and services to baseline conditions. It is necessary to demonstrate that these activities are successful or that they are progressing according to established goals and objectives. A better understanding of monitoring strategies would improve the ability to implement successful restoration monitoring programs on previously contaminated sites. The goal of this full-day symposium is to bring together restoration practitioners with a diverse range of experiences to discuss strategies for, and strengths and weaknesses of, restoration monitoring programs. Co-chairs for the symposium are Aida Farag and Mike Hooper (USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center), Steve Glomb (U.S. DOI NRDAR Program Office), and Ralph Stahl (DuPont).
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California Native Plant Society Conservation Conference
Date(s):	January 17-19, 2009
Location:	Sacramento, California
Details:	January 17-19, 2009, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) will be holding a major Conservation Conference in Sacramento. Thus there will not be a “Northern California Botanists” symposium in 2009. You can find more information about “CNPS 2009 Conservation Conference: Strategies and Solutions” at www.cnps.org/cnps/conservation/conference/2009/. “The main goal of this conference is to identify and promote science- and policy-based strategies and solutions to improve the conservation of California’s native flora and natural landscapes.” There is still time to get involved in the planning of this conference, to offer to present a paper or poster, or to be active in any number of ways in making this conference a success. Look for “Northern California Botanists” to have a presence at this important conference.
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SER International's World Conference on Ecological Restoration
Date(s):	August 23-28, 2009
Location:	Perth, Western Australia
Details:	SER's world conference is held every other year, with the next event scheduled for August 23-28, 2009, in Perth, Western Australia. Attendees will experience a southern hemisphere global biodiversity hotspot, world-renowned for its unique flora and fauna, with 90 percent of species endemic to the region. Western Australia is a unique place, situated on one of the oldest continental landmasses on earth, with the earliest evidence of life (3.8BY stromatolite fossils) to extraordinary plant and animal life fostered by being an island continent for the past 65 million years. Restoration is big business in Western Australia, whether it is restoring degraded farmland, urban bushland or wetlands. And with Western Australia being one of the most productive and diversified mineral and energy regions in the world, there will be opportunities to witness the leading edge approaches being used in post-mining restoration. For more information about the 2009 conference, or to join the mailing list, please email seri2009@bgpa.wa.gov.au.
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