Wednesday, August 4, 2010: 1:30 PM-5:00 PM
401-402, David L Lawrence Convention Center
OOS 36 - The Evolving Role of Ecologists in the Development of Environmental Public Policy
At its 2010 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, the Ecological Society of America will “place global warming at center stage to draw a critical combination of scientists, policy makers, and concerned citizens to understand further its causes and consequences and to elucidate a clear scenario for addressing what is perhaps the most serious environmental threat facing the biosphere”. Ecologists and other scientists in America and across the global have been actively engaged in research pertaining to the effects of climate change at every level for quite some time. However, the ecologists’ role in the development or advocacy for public policy to address climate change is far less understood or recognized. The purpose of the session is to highlight the work that ecologists have done and are now doing to enhance the development of environmental public policy, in light of changing environmental conditions associated with global warming and regional climate change. The session is organized to showcase the involvement of ecologists on national and regional environmental policy issues, through testimony at legal hearings, development of comprehensive strategic planning documents, and dialogue with diverse audiences. The focus of the session’s research relates to three areas: climate change, fire and water management policies and conservation of endangered species. This session will enlighten the membership of ESA in how ecologists are influencing environmental policy and help them become more engaged in the process. Ecological research is affected by public policy. The development of public policy needs to be informed by valid scientific research that engages the public in implementing effective ways of preserving biodiversity in response to environmental certainties and uncertainties associated with global warming and climate change. To engage those from various fields attending the 2010 Annual Meeting in the purpose of this session, organizers have opted to illuminate and support the work of ecologists in the development of public policy about climate change through telling the story of their current research and public advocacy. These presenters reflect the diversity of the ESA—university researchers and educators; professionals with the National Park Service, NASA, US Fisheries and Wildlife Service, South Florida Water Quality Management District, and other settings. The relationship between research and public policy advocacy will be a defining theme of these presentations.
Organizer:	Carmen R. Cid, Eastern Connecticut State University
Co-organizer:	N. S. Nicholas, Yosemite National Park
Moderator:	N.S. Nicholas, Yosemite National Park
1:30 PM	OOS 36-1		The role of presidents of scientific professional organizations in influencing public policy on climate change and other environmental issues Alan P. Covich, University of Georgia
1:50 PM	OOS 36-2		Biodiversity conservation under climate change: Ecological principles underpin a national approach in Australia Patricia A. Werner, Australian National University, Will Steffen, Australian National University
2:10 PM	OOS 36-3		Discovering rare plant species ahead of climate change: What to do with the knowledge? Alison E.L. Colwell, Yosemite National Park, N. S. Nicholas, Yosemite National Park
2:30 PM	OOS 36-4		Improving biodiversity conservation and restoration in inland wetlands with effective implementation of environmental public policy Kenneth M. Klemow, Wilkes University
2:50 PM	OOS 36-5		The value of just showing up: How scientists can inform policy through long-term, grass roots participation with local watershed groups Rebecca Flitcroft, USDA Forest Service
3:10 PM			Break
3:20 PM	OOS 36-6		How ecological professional certification, interdisciplinary curriculum collaborations and educational outreach programs can influence environmental public policy Carmen R. Cid, Eastern Connecticut State University
3:40 PM	OOS 36-7		Influences of ecological research on policy and management of Glacier National Park, Montana Daniel B. Fagre, Glacier National Park, Erich H. Peitzsch, Glacier National Park
4:00 PM	OOS 36-8		The ecology-policy connection: Ecologists’ visions for their discipline Mark Neff, Arizona State University
4:20 PM	OOS 36-9		Conserving wildlife and wild lands in conflict zones: Afghanistan Peter D. Smallwood, University of Richmond, David Lawson, Wildlife Conservation Society, Peter Zahler, Wildlife Conservation Society

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See more of The 95th ESA Annual Meeting (August 1 -- 6, 2010)