Conferences (in chronological order)

14th Annual CAPE COD NATURAL HISTORY CONFERENCE Highlights Current Environmental Research Projects
The 14th Annual Cape Cod Natural History Conference will feature brief presentations by individuals from environmental organizations, agencies, and colleges across Cape Cod and Massachusetts. All of those presenting have deep involvement in their particular area of expertise concerning the status, behavior, and ecology of Cape Cod plants, animals or natural communities, and current environmental issues. The conference allows environmental organizations to learn about each other’s research and to exchange ideas. At the same time, it is an opportunity for the public to learn first hand about some compelling subjects relating to Cape Cod’s ecology, natural history, and conservation. A complete list of presentations is presented in the attached registration form.  Participants will be able to ask questions as time permits and receive a summary of the presentations. There will be a lunch break (bring-your-own) as well as two shorter breaks in the day for participants to interact with the speakers and to review poster exhibits.  The cost to attend the conference is $20 for advance registration, or $25 walk-in fee. Advance registration is highly encouraged.

Date:  March 14, 2009, 9 AM to 4 PM
Location:  Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable, Massachusetts
Sponsors:  Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Environmental Technology Program at Cape Cod Community College
Contact:  Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary 508-349-2615

Improving Water Quality and Habitat Values in Vernal Pools
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences (Manomet) is working with partners to develop science-based solutions that improve water and habitat quality.  Manomet, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, the Vernal Pool Association, the Charles River Watershed Association, and the Taunton River Watershed Alliance, is completing a three-year project to evaluate and protect water quality in vernal pools.  The purpose of the conference is to provide summary information from the project and share strategies for improving water quality in vernal pools. Topics to be included: Presentations by Project Partners; Manomet's Water Quality Protection in Vernal Pools Project; Status of Water Quality in Charles &Taunton Rivers; Habitat Value of Vernal Pools; Low Impact Lawn Care & Landscaping; and, How Conservation Commissions Can Protect Vernal Pools.  Registration will be limited to 75 conference attendees.

Date:  March 14, 2009, 8:30 AM to 3 PM
Location:  Stonehill College, Stanger Hall, Room 209, Easton, MA
Sponsors:  Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
Contact:  Beth Brazil at 508-224-6521 or bbrazil@manomet.org

"Bio: Mass, Fuel, Products, Diversity" – Resource Management in a Changing World
Date:  March 18–20, 2009
Location:  Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, ME
Sponsors:  New England Society of American Foresters
Website:  http://www.nesaf.org/userfiles/NESAF_WinterMeeting2009_Program_1.9.09%281%29.pdf

Plant Conservation Volunteer Training
You are invited to join the New England Wild Flower Society's PCV Corps and help monitor rare plants in your area, especially Cape Cod and the Islands.  This program will train volunteers in rare plant survey techniques, field form completion, and introduce the PCV website for receiving and submitting surveys. Challenging groups of plants will be reviewed and specimens will be available for identification. New volunteers are welcome and registration must be received by February 1.

Date:  March 28, 9:30am 4:00pm
Location:  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole
Sponsors:  New England Wild Flower Society
Contact:  John Burns to register at (508) 877-7630 ext. 3204 or JBurns@newenglandwild.org

New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) Spring 2009 Meeting
The Spring 2009 NEERS meeting will be held in historic Salem, Massachusetts, at the new Salem Waterfront Hotel at Pickering Wharf on Salem Harbor.  Historically, Salem was one of the wealthiest and most important seaports in the country.  The first European settlers arrived in the early 1600s to discover abundant natural resources. Salem Sound and associated rivers were described as teeming with estuarine and anadromous fish, including such species as sturgeon, salmon, halibut, shad, river herring, cod and haddock (to name a few). Although Salem Sound marine resources have clearly changed since those early days, this estuary still inspires with its magic of beautiful rocky islands, intertidal flats, kelp beds, eelgrass meadows, and salt marshes.  We will discuss the science and management of estuarine and coastal ecosystems in this inspiring setting.

Date:  April 2–4, 2009
Location:  Salem Waterfront Hotel, Pickering Wharf, Salem, MA
Sponsors:  NEERS
Contact:  Tay Evans at tay.evans@state.ma.us or (978) 282-0308 ext. 168

Water Scarcity & Conflict
The Conference on Water Scarcity and Conflict will examine the root causes of conflicts over water use. We will assess weaknesses in the current physical and political infrastructure and suggest ways in which water can be used in a more sustainable manner.  This conference will provide a broad overview of our current understanding of the use of this shared and critical resource. We hope to propose solutions that would enhance the sustainable use of water and reduce political strife among water users. The mix of speakers and topics should appeal to a wide audience of college students and faculty, concerned citizens, NGO representatives, and policymakers.

Date:  April 3 & 4, 2009
Location:  Evans Hall, Cumming Arts Center, Connecticut College, New London, CT
Contact:  860–439–5417 or goodwin-nieringcenter@conncoll.edu
Website:  http://goodwin-nieringcenter.conncoll.edu

The Northeastern Forest Research and Technology Transfer Conference
Date:  April 21–23, 2009
Location:  Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa, Groton, CT
Sponsors:  New England Society of American Foresters
Website:  http://www.safnet.org/meetings/Announcement_ResearchTT_april09.pdf

20th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference
Since 1990, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), in partnership with its member states, has been coordinating the Annual Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Conference, the premier forum in our region for sharing information and improving communication on NPS pollution issues and projects. The three-day conference brings together all those in New England and New York State involved in NPS pollution management, including participants from state, federal, and municipal governments, private sector, academia, and watershed organizations.

Date:  May 18 – May 20, 2009
Location:  Eastland Park Hotel in Portland, ME
Sponsors:  New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)
Contact:  Michele Piazza, mpiazza@neiwpcc.org or 978-323-7929 ext. 245
Website:  http://www.neiwpcc.org/npsconference

The Ecology and Management  of Atlantic White-Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) Ecosystems
The symposium will address approaches used to characterize and/or monitor Atlantic White-Cedar (AWC) ecosystem hydrology, soils, biogeochemical cycling, nutrient fluxes, plant physiological ecology, biodiversity, genetics, pathology, wildlife biology, threatened and endangered species, fisheries and aquatic resources, silvicultural techniques, paleoecology, bird conservation, taxonomy, culture practices in nurseries and the field, regional issues, and ecological conservation/integrity at the local and landscape scale.  CALL FOR PAPERS  Deadline March 1 2009.  New England projects invited for Special Session and roundtable on Cedar Swamp Restoration.

Date:  June 9–11, 2009
Location:  City Hotel and Bistro, Greenville, North Carolina
Contact:  Aimlee Laderman aladerman@gmail.com, phone 203-497-9095, 508-548-5618

News and Information

Attention all New England employers:  The Society for Ecological Restoration International - New England Chapter (SER- NE) has created the Job Listing Marketplace.  Job postings and requests to be on this e-mail announcement list should be sent to april.moulaert@state.vt.us.  Note that this is a free service of SER-NE.  SER-NE assumes no responsibility for accuracy of listings.

Submit future CALENDAR items to SER-NE Secretary, Sarah Watts Sarah.Watts@tetratech.com at least one month prior to the event. The preferred format for Calendar submissions includes the following items:

Conference Title; Brief description; Date; Time; Location; Sponsor(s); Contact: name & phone number; Website: if available