Wetlands NewsLink
A Compilation of Wetland News from Around the World
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Current
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August 2002 & September
2002
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NEWSLINK
A
Compilation of Migratory Bird & Wetland News from Around the World
Migratory Bird & Wetlands NewsLink is a bi-monthly news service.
Submissions are encouraged and any international news is welcome.
Subscribership is available to anyone who asks.
Let me know of colleagues that might like to receive this e-mail
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CONTENTS
NEWS
FROM MIGRATORY BIRDS & WETLANDS FRIENDS
Update for Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation
Strategy: 2001-2005
The Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee, the individuals
responsible for the strategy, met June 19th and 20th. A brief report
of the
meeting, major outcomes and a few photographs are available at:
http://www.wetlands.org/news&/latest_news.html
Proposed Framework for a Wetland Inventory, Assessment & Monitoring
System
in Malaysia - Workshop Proceedings
Wetlands International-- Malaysia Programme has proceedings on line from
its
April 18th & 19th workshop in Kuala Lumpur. The workshop participants
worked toward developing a proposed framework for a Wetland Inventory,
Assessment and Monitoring System in Malaysia. Proceedings can be found
at:
www.wetlands.org/awi/Malaysia.htm
http://www.wetlands.org/awi/Malaysia.htm
For further information send an e-mail to: muru@wiap.nasionet.net
mailto:muru@wiap.nasionet.net
Society of Wetland Scientists' Ramsar Support Grant Program:
Request for
Proposals
The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) is soliciting proposals for their
Ramsar Support Grant Program. Only applicants working on Ramsar-related
activities in less-developed countries are eligible, and priority is given
to applicants from countries that are on the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development, Development Assistance Committee (DAC) List
of
Aid Recipients. Two to four projects are funded at a level of US $5,000
on
a competitive basis. The DAC List of Aid Recipients can be found on
the
internet at: www.oecd.org
http://www.oecd.org/. Grant guidelines,
an
application form, and a description of previous grant awards can be found
on
the SWS web site at http://www.sws.org/regional/international/ramsar.support.framework/
Any
further questions can be directed to Eric Gilman: egilman@lava.net
mailto:egilman@lava.net SWS
will announce decisions in December 2002, and
will award funds soon thereafter. Applications must be received by
November
1st 2002.
News from RAMSAR
Ramsar reports that there are 12 new sites in Norway and 4 new sites
in
Thailand. For all the details go to: http://www.ramsar.org/w.n.html
Updates from Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) reached its milestone target of
100,000
members!!! The charity, dedicated to wetlands conservation, was founded
by
the late Sir Peter Scott in 1946 and now operates nine visitor centres in
the UK, including the award winning developments in London and Slimbridge,
Gloucestershire.
WWT also reports that “Hugh Beat the Odds and Arrived Home !!!” Hugh,
one
of the remaining geese being satellite-tracked arrived, against the odds,
at
Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland today. His arrival, followed
a
dramatic 9000 mile migration round trip which saw the loss of at least three
of his counterparts to birds of prey and a hunter's shotgun.
WETLAND & MIGRATORY
BIRD NEWS - IN THE NEWS - FROM AROUND THE GLOBE (by most
recent date)
Migratory Birds and Animals Championed in Bonn, Germany
September 18, 2002, Environment News Service, Bonn, Germany -
climate
change is a "huge threat to migratory species," and we must do
everything
possible to limit this change, German Environment Minister Juergen Trittin
told delegates from 80 countries and environmental groups. The 7th
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals (CMS) ran for a week at the International Conference
Centre Parliament Buildings in Bonn. Proposals covering some 36 migratory
species were discussed. For the full story go to:
http://ens-news.com/ens/sep2002/2002-09-18-01.asp
Mozambique Wins WWF Award for New Marine Parks
September 27, 2002, Environment News Service, Maputo, Mozambique -
Mozambique will receive WWF's Gift to the Earth Award for its decisions
to
create the Quirimbas and Bazaruto National Parks. Bazaruto is a candidate
for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The newly protected areas
provide shelter for the whale shark, four dolphin species and five of the
world's seven marine turtles. The waters are also visited by minke and
humpback whales during their annual migration. For the full story
go to:
http://ens-news.com/ens/sep2002/2002-09-27-19.asp#anchor4
The United States Fish & Wildlife Service Proposes Critical Habitat
for
Threatened & Endangered Vernal Pool Species
September 24, 2002 - The USFWS proposed to designate approximately
1.7
million acres in 36 California counties and 7,600 acres in “Jackson County”
Oregon as critical habitat for 15 wetland animals and plants listed as
threatened or endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
Each of
the 15 species, which include four species of freshwater shrimp and 11 plant
species, depends on seasonally flooded wetlands known as vernal pools.
Kumi, Uganda Protects its Wetlands
September 17, 2002, by Caroline Lamwaka, Kampala - Sixty one
percent of
the wetlands in Kumi district have been encroached upon. They have been
modified and are no longer in their natural states. According to the Kumi
Wetlands Officer, Michael Bernard Ikanut, “the Kumi wetlands (lakes Opeta
and Bisina) are not only of local importance, but also of national and
international importance. They are stepping stones in the flyways for
migratory birds. There are birds from European and American, countries and
have been found here. When conditions are harsh there, they migrate here.”
For the full story go to: http://allafrica.com/stories/200209170436.html
Distemper Kills Thousands of European Seals
September 17, 2002, Environment News Service, by Maarten Bakker, The Hague,
Netherlands -- Phocine distemper, a virus akin to distemper
in dogs, has
killed 11,000 seals in and around the Wadden Sea, an international wetland
on the coast of Denmark, Germany and Holland. More deaths are expected,
for
the epidemic has not yet reached its peak. Environmentalists say the
seals
are vulnerable to this virus because they suffer from an immunity defect
caused by toxic industrial waste. For the full story go to:
http://ens-news.com/ens/sep2002/2002-09-17-02.asp
North American Ducks are Being Poisoned by Selenium, Possibly via Zebra
Mussels That Retain the Toxins
September 16, 2002, Toronto Star - A drastic decline in the
North American
population of a duck species could be due to a chemical contaminant in the
Great Lakes the birds are ingesting in unexpectedly high amounts, new
research suggests. While focused on levels of selenium in the lesser and
greater scaup, the findings also raise wider concerns. For the full story
go
to: http://www.worldlakes.org/News/North_American_ducks_being_091602.htm
Migratory Bird Habitats Added to National Wildlife Refuges
September 16, 2002, USFWS News Release - The Migratory Bird
Conservation
Commission approved the acquisition of more than 4,600 acres of important
migratory bird habitat at its September meeting in Washington, D.C.
Newly
acquired lands will benefit migratory birds and other species on units of
the National Wildlife Refuge System in 5 states. For the full article
go
to: http://news.fws.gov
Peat Fires Raging Around Moscow Show Need for Swamp Restoration
September 6, 2002, Gland, Switzerland - Massive peat fires
currently
raging around Moscow, suffocating the Russian capital and affecting
neighboring countries, are the consequence of bad management of swamps in
the area, and show that restoration of these ecosystems is urgently needed,
according to WWF. WWF points out that, hundred of years ago, there
were
large swamps where the peat bogs are currently burning. These swamps were
drained in the 1920s, and never restored during the Soviet era. For
the
full story go to: http://www.panda.org/news/press/news.cfm?id=3144
Migratory Bird Grants Benefit Groups in 25 Countries
August 15, 2002, Environment News Service - Conservation organizations
in
17 U.S. states and 25 Latin American and Caribbean countries will share
$3
million in grants for neotropical migratory bird conservation.
MIGRATORY BIRD NEWS
The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan is Now Available in Print
Look for the striking Roseate Spoonbill cover
This document is the result of four years of collaboration by partners in
an
initiative now formally known as Waterbird Conservation for the Americas.
It provides a continental-scale framework for waterbird conservation action
across North America, Central America, the Pacific and the Caribbean.
Visit
www.NAWCP.org or www.waterbirdconservation.org
to order a copy and to find
out more about waterbird conservation activities. Go to:
http://www.waterbirdconservation.org/
NEW (or recent) WEB SITES
Cumulative Index to Birding Magazine Now Available
The American Birding Association is pleased announce the availability of
a
cumulative index for Birding. The index is accessible via a new interactive
search by clicking. You can search for articles by subject or author
and
search for book and media reviews by title word or reviewed book author.
The search can also be limited to recent issues only and the results can
be
sorted in a variety of ways. Fore more information visit:
http://americanbirding.org/
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Mangrove Workshop in Ecological Economics
A workshop in ecological economics sponsored by Gund Institute for
Ecological Economics, University of Vermont, will be held from 2 -12 January
2003 in Palawan, Philippines. The topic is the impact of industrial
shrimp
aquaculture on mangrove ecosystems, fisheries and local communities.
For
detailed information, please go to the workshop website:
http://www.uvm.edu/~gundiee/philippines/Philippines.html Applications
from graduate students and researchers in any field are welcome, though
preference will be given to those with a strong interest in ecological
economics. Scholarships to cover workshop costs (instruction, materials,
and
administrative costs), as well as room and board charges, will be available
to select participants. Accepted students are required to cover their
travel costs (i.e. airline tickets). You are strongly encouraged to apply
early for travel grants from your home institutions or for matching funds
from your department. For further information contact Shuang
(Shirley) Liu
in Vermont, USA: (802) 656-2918.
PUBLICATIONS
(and wetland software too)
The "Opportunities for Birders" directory published by
the American Birding
Association will be publishing its twelfth annual directory in February
2003. The directory will list bird-related volunteer opportunities
in the
United States, Canada, Latin America, and elsewhere. To include your
PIF-oriented projects in the 2003 directory, ABA will need listings by
Friday October 25th. There is no charge for a listing. If your programs
include bird-related field, office, or other work that could benefit from
volunteer expertise, consider listing your projects in the ABA directory.
The directory now receives extensive coverage in birding magazines, through
other bird plans, and in many newspapers across North America and Europe.
This publicity, and the directory's presence on ABA web site, guarantees
that the opportunities offered will reach far and wide. Go to:
http://americanbirding.org/opps/voldiindex.htm
Wetland Cooperation in Northeast Asia
Proceedings are now available from the “International workshop on Wetland
Conservation and Need for International Cooperation in Northeast Asia” (held
on 24-25 May 2002 at Pusan National University in Busan, Korea.) Nine
scientific and case study papers are included. For more information
about
the 120-page soft-back book contact: gjjoo@pusan.ac.kr
mailto:gjjoo@pusan.ac.kr.
Handbook of Water Sensitive Planning and Design
For the table of contents of this recently edited book which features some
of the most important and informative wetland creation projects in the world
contact: Robert France by e-mail at: rfrance@gsd.harvard.edu
mailto:rfrance@gsd.harvard.edu
World Bank: New Environmental Assessment Sourcebook
The World Bank’s Environment Department has published this Sourcebook Update
(number 28 in the series, 10 pages, June 2002), this offers guidance on
the
use of environmental assessments in World Bank-funded projects and
programmes likely to affect wetlands. Brief case studies from Colombia,
Pakistan, and Argentina are included, as well as a description of the
activities of the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species.
Written by Colin Rees, with input by Isabel Braga and other Bank staff,
and
funded by Norway and The Netherlands, the new pamphlet can be sought from
EA
Sourcebook Updates, Environment Department, The World Bank, 1818 H. St.
NW,
Washington DC 20433, USA.
New Wetland Software Available
Working with commonly available software on office PCs and handheld PDAs,
the software allows scientists to enter vegetation, hydrology, and soils
data directly into a Palm OS® PDA while in the field. Upon return
to an
office, they can hot-sync the PDA to their PCs, then automatically print
professional delineation forms for submittal to clients or the Corps of
Engineers. Designed by professional wetland delineators, the new software
promises to save time and money in the completion of Section 404 permit
applications. Go to: www.sw-formations.com.
This was developed by the
software division of Shannon & Wilson, Inc. and just released Formation
Wetland Edition. For further information contact: Paula Grahlherr
at
Shannon & Wilson, Inc.: pag@shanwil.com
mailto:pag@shanwil.com
WETLANDS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
WWF, Living Waters Programme Seeks Manager - River Basin Management
The deadline is October 4th - you will need to act immediately
!!!
This is a full time position, located in Zeist, the Netherlands offering
a
contract through June 30, 2004. This individual will report to the
Director
of the WWF Living Waters Programme and lead WWF’s efforts to achieve the
Living Waters Programme’s target 2: “Ecological processes are maintained
or
restored in at least 50 large catchment areas containing high priority
freshwater ecosystems by 2010”. For more details contact Berna Heikamp:
bheikamp@wwf.nl mailto:bheikamp@wwf.nl or tel: +31 (0)30 6937
803.
Doñana Biological Station Field Studies
There is an opportunity to carry out field studies at any level of
biodiversity (animal and plant populations, communities and ecosystems)
in
two areas of southern Spain: Cazorla and Doñana (see details:
http://www.ebd.csic.es/iindex.html
ECODOCA welcomes applications from
European Members and Associate States for visits ranging up to 90 days
depending on the needs of the project. Researcher's travel costs will
be
met and a per diem provided to meet living costs during the stay.
The
written proposals will be considered by a peer review panel on the basis
of
scientific merit. The first call for applications is open. Application
forms and information about ECODOCA can be obtained from
http://www.ebd.csic.es/ecodoca
Ramsar: Regional Coordinator for Asia
The main responsibility of the individual who takes this position is to
develop and maintain regular contacts with the Contracting Parties to the
Convention. He or she must be a citizen of a country in the Asia Region.
Applications must be no later than mid-October. For more details about
this
position contact: E-mail Ms Annette Keller: keller@ramsar.org
mailto:keller@ramsar.org for more
information. Go to the web site:
http://ramsar.org/
INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR
(2002 and beyond)
OCTOBER
30 September -- 5 October 2002
29th Annual Natural Areas Association Conference and Field Trips, Asheville,
North Carolina, USA. The Natural Areas Association is an international
organization advancing the conservation of natural diversity through
education and outreach to professionals, students and volunteers working
in
natural areas management and protection. For more information go to:
http://www.naturalarea.org/
7 - 9 October
Wetlands 2002 "Restoring Impaired Wetlands and Other Waters."
The Westin
Hotel, Indianapolis, IN. Coordinated by the Association of State Wetland
Managers, the goals of this conference are to assess the successes and
failures of science and policy related to restoration of wetlands and
related waters and, most importantly, to point to methods for improving
future success. Success in managing and improving the quality of wetlands
nationally requires the marriage of sound science and balanced policy.
Abstracts are due March 1, 2002. For additional information visit
http://www.aswm.org/meeting/2002am.htm
or e-mail: aswm@aswm.org
mailto:aswm@aswm.org
13 - 18 October
The Role of Wetlands in Biosphere Reserves. This workshop is organised
jointly by the Czech National Committee for the UNESCO Man and the
Biosphere Programme (MAB), Czech Ramsar Committee and Palava Biosphere
Reserve. The aim will be to evaluate the contribution wetlands can
make to
the sustainable functioning of Biosphere Reserves, as postulated by the
Seville Strategy. For more information contact: Eva Jelinkova, Secretary
Czech MAB National Committee, Narodni 3, CZ - 110 00, Prague 1, Czech
Republic. E-mail: mab@kav.cas.cz
24 - 27 October
The International Conference on Neotropical Raptors and Harpy Eagle
Symposium will be held in Panamá City, Panamá. For full details go
to:
http://www.peregrinefund.org/nrconference.html
28 October 2 - November
North American Lake Management Society 22nd Annual International Symposium.
William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, Anchorage, AK. General Symposium
Registration Information: www.nalms.org
http://www.nalms.org Symposium
Theme: NALMS 2002: A New Frontier Staking Our Claim in the Management of
Our
Water Resources.
NOVEMBER
6 - 10 November
Twenty-Sixth Annual Waterbird Society Meeting, Radisson Hotel, La Crosse,
WI. The Waterbird Society is an international organization that promotes
the study and conservation of all waterbird species. For more information
go to: http://www.mp2-pwrc.usgs.gov/cws/annual_meeting.htm
15 - 17 November
17th Session of the Global Biodiversity Forum: "Managing Wetlands for
Global
Change and Local Livelihoods" at the Palacio de Congresos, Valencia,
Spain.
For more information go to: http://www.gbf.ch
for this and additional
information
18 - 20 November
Shorebird Ecology & Management in the Caribbean Islands Ecosystem in
Boqueron, Puerto Rico (with field trips to Caribbean Islands National
Wildlife Refuge, National Conservation Training Center, (USA) This is a
specialized offering of our standard shorebird ecology and management
course. It is designed specifically for the Caribbean Islands ecosystems
with emphasis on Puerto Rico. This course illustrates how to integrate
shorebird habitat considerations into management planning. Sessions
include
shorebird identification, shorebird ecology, survey techniques, population
estimation, prey dynamics, and approaches for managing specialized habitats
for shorebirds. Sessions are conducted both in the classroom and in
the
field. Refuge Biologists and other natural resource professionals
involved
with management of shorebirds and habitats they use during migration,
breeding or wintering. Please NOTE: Applicants from Puerto Rico and
the
wider Caribbean ecosystem will be given priority for course attendance.
For more information go to: http://training.fws.gov/
18 - 26 November
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands COP8, Valencia, Spain. For more information
contact: Ramsar Secretariat, Gland, Switzerland; Tel: +41-22-999-0170;
E-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org; Internet:
http://www.ramsar.org
DECEMBER
9 - 13 December
Lake 2002: Symposium on Conservation, Restoration & Management
of Aquatic
Ecoystems. Satish Dhawan Auditorium (CSIC Auditorium) Indian Institute
of
Science (IISc) Campus Organised by Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc,
Bangalore Karnataka Environment Research Foundation, Bangalore Commonwealth
of Learning, Canada. For more information go to:
http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water20/Lake2002.html
THE YEAR 2003
JANUARY
26 - 27 January
Bird Conservation Workshop, Wildlife Management Institute is hosting a
workshop on bird and expects about 150 people (and will have to cap it at
that), and will invite all 50 states, JVs, Flyway Councils, all the bird
initiatives, federal agencies, and NGOs involved in bird conservation to
send representatives. The workshop objective is to develop a
set of shared
priorities for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 fiscal years and legislative
sessions, so it will be aimed at federal legislation and appropriations
for
bird conservation. Contact: James R. Woehr, Senior Scientist,
Wildlife
Management Institute, 1101 14th St., NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20005,
Tel: 202-371-1808, Fax: 202-408-5059; email: wmijw@aol.com
MARCH
16 - 23 March
3rd World Water Forum, Kyoto, Japan. A Ministerial Conference will
be held
during the Forum, where Ministers will work towards framing and adopting
a
political declaration concerning global water problems. For more information
contact: Forum Secretariat; Tel: +81-3-5212-1645; e-mail:
office@water-forum3.com mailto:office@water-forum3.com; Internet:
http://www.worldwaterforum.org
22 -23 March
The Wilson Ornithological Society (84th Annual Meeting) and the Association
of Field Ornithologists will meet jointly at Ohio Wesleyan University, Ohio,
USA. (no meeting web site yet.)
23 - 27 March
A landmark conference on 'Environmental Future of Aquatic Ecosystems'
organised by the Foundation for Environmental Conservation and Swiss Federal
Office of Environmental Science & Technology (EAWAG) will take place
at the
ETH, Zurich, Switzerland. Go to: http://www.icef.eawag.ch/
for more
information. Likely changes in each of 21 marine and freshwater systems
will be reviewed and discussed by the best scientists in the field, with
a
view to understanding likely climatic and population impacts over the next
25 years. Further enquiries please write: icef@eawag.ch
mailto:icef@eawag.ch
24 - 28 March
Society for Ecological Restoration, Northwest Chapter, Regional Conference.
Theme: The Restoration Toolbox. Portland, Oregon. For conference
highlights, exhibitor program, call for abstracts and updates go to the
website: http://216.119.67.178/2003conf/Index.htm
26 - 30 March
68th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the Adam's Mark Winston Plaza.
MAY
May 20-24, 2003
Mangrove 2003: Connecting research and participative management of estuaries
and mangroves, Bahia Othon Palace, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. To learn
more
about this conference go to: http://www.mangrove2003.ufba.br/
The
Conference Secretary: mangrove2003@ufba.br
. Deadlines: Abstracts: October
31, 2002 Full papers: January 31, 2003
JUNE
8 - 13 June
Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) 24th Annual Meeting, at the Hyatt
Regency New Orleans, LA. The SWS meeting will focus on the need to
understand the interdisciplinary scientific needs and innovative approaches
for the stewardship of wetland ecosystems. What approaches are needed
to
meet the challenges of management across diverse and changing geographical
landscapes, socio-political boundaries, scientific disciplines, and varying
time scales? The conference will encourage symposia that present
interdisciplinary, integrated approaches and technologies for wetland
science, assessment, conservation, rehabilitation, and management to sustain
wetlands in diverse environments across different continental regions of
the
world. Fur further information contact Lisa C. Gandy: gandylc@swbell.net,
+(501) 225-1552 - Phone/Fax.
29 June - 2 July
International Water Congress: Watershed Management for Water Supply Systems,
New York, New York. The objective is to improve watershed management and
the
operation of public water supplies, where agriculture, forestry and related
land uses exist on water supply surface watersheds or over ground water
recharge zones. Go to:
http://www.awra.org/meetings/NewYork2003/index.html
AUGUST
4 - 9 August
The 4th Conference of the Working Group on Aquatic Birds of the
International Society of Limnology(SIL) "Limnology and Waterbirds 2003"
will
be held in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. The preliminary announcement
and the return form of Expression of Interest at:
http://www.links.umoncton.ca/lw/
OCTOBER
5 - 11 October
The VIIth Neotropical Ornithological Congress will be held in Puerto Vargas,
Chile. For more information, visit the web site of the Neotropical
Ornithological Society: http://www.neotropicalornithology.org/
or go
directly to: www.nocchile.cl
http://www.nocchile.cl
2004
April 2004
Waterbirds Around the World, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. A global review
of
the conservation, management and research of the worlds major flyways.
This
is a Wetlands International conference jointly hosted by The Netherlands
(Ministry of Agriculture - Nature Management and Fisheries, Department for
Nature Management) and The United Kingdom (DEFRA, Joint Nature Conservation
Committee, Scottish Heritage, English Nature.) For further information
contact: Dr. Gerard C. Boere, E-mail: boere@wetlands.agro.nl
mailto:boere@wetlands.agro.nl
THE END
October 2, 2002