**AMNH training workshop: Species distribution modeling, October 14-19 2007**
Applications are now being accepted for the training workshop Species Distribution Modeling Methods for Conservation Biologists, to be held at the American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station, Arizona, 14-19 October 2007. Models that predict species' potential distributions by combining observed occurrence records with digital data layers of environmental variables have great potential for application across a range of biogeographical analyses. Applications include guiding field surveys to detect unknown populations, projecting potential impacts of climate change, predicting species' invasions, and supporting reserve planning. The course focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of this approach (sometimes termed 'ecological niche' or 'bioclimate envelope' modeling) and is designed for students, researchers and practitioners of conservation biology. Using a mixture of lectures, hands-on computer lab applications, discussions, and case studies, course participants will learn to: . Obtain and process data necessary for species distribution modeling; . Run distribution models using a variety of approaches; . Validate and interpret model results; . Apply these techniques to a range of applications. Each participant is encouraged to develop an idea for a project they would like to work on during the week, so techniques learned during the course can immediately be applied to an example of interest. The October 2007 course will be taught by Drs. Richard Pearson (AMNH) and Steven Phillips (AT&T). GIS specialist Kevin Koy (AMNH) will provide GIS support. There is a course fee of $1,000 for each participant, which includes accommodation and meals for the week. Participants need to provide their own transportation to and from the Research Station. Unfortunately, scholarship funds to defray course expenses are not available. APPLICATION: Places on the course are limited to 15 (each participant is assigned a desktop computer for the week). Those interested in participating in the course should send a short paragraph with the following information: name, contact details, current position (student, academia, government, etc.), brief statement on why you want to take the course, overview of prior modeling or GIS experience (if any), and a brief description of a project you would like to work on if you have one in mind. Please email your application to Richard Pearson (pearson 'at' amnh.org). The application deadline is July 20th 2007. Applications will be acknowledged on receipt, and you will be notified if a place is available by August 3rd 2007. Payment of the course fee for those accepted will be required by August 31st. For further information, including suggested readings, practical information about staying at the research station, and a previous workshop program, see the course website at: http://geospatial.amnh.org/remote_sensing/training/cbc_workshops/species_mod eling.html
