ESA's Governing Board announces the Conference, "Developing Ecologically-Based Conservation Targets Under Global Change," to be held February 27 to March 1 2012, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This by invitation only conference at the National Conservation Training Center will include two full days of presentations, discussions, and poster sessions; one day of workshops; and a concluding plenary.

February 27 - March 1, 2012
National Conservation Training Center
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
http://esa.org/emergingissues

Eligibility: Undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs (at time of conference)
Benefits: Up to 20 awards, each up to $1,000 for travel expenses
Application deadline: Thursday, September 29, 2011


The conference will bring together ecologists, land and conservation managers, and students to 1) identify both existing and novel conservation targets that are ecologically sound in light of rapid global change, and 2) develop a framework for assessing the inherent tradeoffs, risks, and benefits involved in achieving those conservation targets. The ultimate objective is to provide science-based, practical decision tools for those charged with implementing conservation strategies throughout North America and internationally.

The Conference Committee is soliciting submissions of poster abstracts by eligible students and post-docs that relate to the conference theme. Abstracts that break new ground in understanding or managing the impacts of global change on conservation are especially encouraged. Authors may approach the topic through ecology, policy, or education applied to any geographic region, habitat, or species. We are especially interested in integrative approaches that recognize the importance of interdisciplinarity and those bridging traditional divides between natural and social scientists. Abstracts will be reviewed in October and authors will be notified of their acceptance status by November 3, 2011.

How to submit an abstract

We will begin accepting abstracts on September 1 for a September 29 deadline. Visit http://esa.org/emergingissues during the application to be directed to the abstract submission page for the conference. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Riem, Science Programs Coordinator at the Ecological Society of America, at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.