Population Biology - Post-doctoral Fellowship - U. Nebraska

[Diana Pilson]

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (CALL FOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!)

The University of Nebraska Program of Excellence in Population Biology 
announces two-year Postdoctoral Fellowships in Population Biology. The 
successsful Population Biology postdocs will bring new skills, new ideas, 
and new excitement to UNL programs. Two Postdoctoral positions will be 
advertised internationally every two years; thus, new highly-qualified 
individuals will regularly join the  Population Biology group. Candidates 
will develop a research project with a faculty member associated with the 
Program (see list of core  faculty). These positions will provide recent 
graduates the opportunity for independent research in association with a 
growing,  integrative, and cross-discliplinary program. Applicant 
selection  will be based on a research proposal to work with an 
established Population Biologist at UNL, but once in residence post-docs 
will be  expected to interact more broadly with the group and participate 
in  graduate instruction through courses and seminars.
 
New opening for a postdoctoral Fellow: applications due October 15, 2007, 
starting date January 2008. Qualified candidates are encouraged to contact 
potential faculty advisor from the list of core faculty associated with 
the program (http://popbio.unl.edu/corefaculty.htm). A Ph.D. and expertise 
in any aspect of population biology is required. To apply, send a CV, a 5-
page research proposal, and description of potential graduate seminars and 
arrange for three letters of reference, one of which must be from the 
proposed faculty sponsor, to the Population Biology Post-doctoral 
Fellowship Selection Committee, School of Biological Sciences, University 
of Nebraska- Lincoln, 348 Manter Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118.
 
Closing date is 15 October 2007. Fellowship positions will remain open 
until suitable candidates are selected. UNL is committed to a pluralistic 
campus community through Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, and is 
responsive to the needs of dual career couples. We assure responsible 
accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Re: courses required for graduate ecology programs

[Malcolm McCallum]

Soil Science might be more useful than a true geology class.

On Fri, August 17, 2007 12:39 pm, Laurie Anderson wrote:
> I think that a geology course is important for ecologists,
> particularly those that go on to focus on plants.  One possibility is
> making a geology course an optional substitute for one of your upper
> level biology courses.
>
> At 02:26 PM 8/16/2007, Jonathan Horton wrote:
>>Colleagues,
>>
>>We are considering revising our course curriculum for our B.S.
>>Biology degree with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary
>>Biology.  Many of us feel that more training in statistics and
>>experimental design will be beneficial to our graduates seeking
>>professional positions and entry into research-based graduate
>>programs.  Our current requirements are as follows:
>>
>>1. A core curriculum (16 hours) required of all Biology majors that
>>includes introductory Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cellular and
>>Molecular Biology, Botany and Zoology
>>2.  Chemistry (Introductory I and II with lab, Organic I and either
>>Biochemistry with a lab or Organic II with a lab
>>3. Two semesters of Physics
>>4. Calculus and one semester of introductory statistics
>>5. And many upper level biology courses
>>
>>With our general education requirements (we are a public Liberal
>>Arts College), this makes it a full 4 to 4.5 year schedule for
>> graduation.
>>
>>We are discussing cutting back on the amount of chemistry (through
>>Organic I) and Physics (only 1 semester) and instead having our
>>students take additional courses in Statistics (Linear Regression
>>and Anova) and experimental design and analysis.
>>
>>My questions to the group is this:  What are the entrance
>>requirements to ecology graduate programs in terms of course
>>work?  Which would better prepare students for a research-based
>>graduate program or professional position, additional chemistry and
>>physics or additional statistical training.
>>
>>We would not want to limit our graduates chances of entering a
>>graduate program by failing to meet entrance requirements in terms
>>of supplemental science coursework.  Please provide your thoughts.
>>Feel free to answer off the list.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Jonathan
>>
>>--
>>*
>>Jonathan Horton Ph.D.
>>Department of Biology
>>One University Heights
>>UNC-Asheville CPO#2440
>>Asheville, NC 28804
>>Phone: (828)232-5152
>>Fax: (828)251-6623
>>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>*
>
>
> Dr. Laurie Anderson (Laurel J. Anderson)
> Associate Professor
> Dept. of Botany/Microbiology
> Ohio Wesleyan University
> Delaware, OH 43015
> 740-368-3501
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>


Malcolm L. McCallum
Assistant Professor of Biology
Editor Herpetological Conservationa and Biology
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Remote Sensing/GIS Job Postings?

[Jonathan Greenberg]

ECOLOGGERs:

I was hoping to get some leads on what other listservs/websites are good
locations to be searching for Remote Sensing and GIS academic positions?
I'll post the responses back to the listserv.  Cheers!

--j

-- 
Jonathan A. Greenberg, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote Sensing (CSTARS)
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
The Barn, Room 250N
Davis, CA 95616
Cell: 415-794-5043
AIM: jgrn307
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Tenure Track Assistant Professor Position: Environmental Geography

[Marc_Linderman]

IOWA, IOWA CITY 52242-1316. The Department of Geography at The University of
Iowa invites applications for a tenure track position beginning in August
2008 that will be filled at the Assistant Professor level with research and
teaching interests in environmental geography.  The department’s focus is on
human-environment relationships with a significant role for geographic
information science.  This hire will be the fourth in a series of faculty
additions in this area.  We seek a person with research and teaching
strengths in areas such as land use/land cover change, environmental
economics, water quality, environmental health, environmental justice, and
GIScience. A strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate education is
expected, as are credible plans for establishing a record of productive
research. A Ph.D. in geography or a closely related field is required.
Applicants should submit a letter describing their research and teaching
interests, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and a current c.v. They
should also arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent. Screening
of applications will begin on October 1, 2007. 

The Department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are strongly
committed to diversity and maintain ties to programs on campus that provide
a supportive environment for women and minorities, such as the Women in
Science and Engineering program. The strategic plans of the University,
College, and Department reflect this commitment to diversity. For additional
information about the department see: http://www.uiowa.edu/~geog/. Send
materials to the address below. 

Apply: Professor George P. Malanson, Department of Geography, 316 Jessup
Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1316. Telephone:
319/335-0540, Fax: 319/335-2725, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

The University of Iowa is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer;
minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Research Assistant, Programme Manager positions currently available with Project Seahorse (Vancouver, BC, Canada)

[Sarah Bartnik]

Hello ECOLOG-ers!

I have attached the job descriptions for 2 positions that are currently
available at Project Seahorse.

 Project  Seahorse (www.projectseahorse.org) is an interdisciplinary  and
 international  organisation  committed  to  the  conservation and
sustainable  use of the worlds coastal marine ecosystems. Based at the
University  of  British  Columbia  (Canada), Project Seahorse works in
partnership with the Zoological Society of London (UK) and the John G.
Shedd  Aquarium  (USA).  The  Project Seahorse  Foundation for Marine
Conservation  (Philippines)  is  also  an  integral  part  of  Project
Seahorse.

Yours truly,

Sarah Bartnik
Research Biologist, Project Seahorse

-See job descriptions
below

1. RESEARCH ASSISTANT

  The  Research  Assistant  will  support  various teaching and research
activities  of  the Project Seahorse Director. She/he will collaborate with
the Director and other team members to produce scientific papers  and
reports. The Research Assistant will also establish long-distance  links  to
collegiate and volunteer groups around the world and respond  to  general
research  and  conservation  queries from colleagues, the  media, and the
public. She/he will assist in organizing special events  hosted   by
Project  Seahorse  and  coordinate  the  preparation  of  newsletters and
annual reports.

  We  are looking for somebody with a strong work ethic who can function
independently,  exercise common sense, use discretion, and communicate
  effectively.

  Qualifications:
  -  University  degree  (preferably  Masters  of Science) in a relative
biological science;
  - Excellent research and organizational skills;
  -  Two  years  of relevant experience in conservation-related research
and management;
  - Language skills and experience in developing countries is an asset;
  - Evidence of ability to complete projects;
  - Robust database management skills;
  - Excellent computer management and graphic skills;
  -  Familiarity  with  all  elements  involved  in producing scientific r
esearch;
  - Familiarity with issues in aquatic conservation.

  Please  send  a  cover letter and your curriculum vitae to Ms. Shannon
Charney ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).

  Deadline: Monday, September 3rd, 2007 or until post filled.

  This  full-time  position  is  an  initial  one year appointment, with
strong  potential for renewal.  The successful candidate will be based  at
the  Fisheries  Centre in the University of British Columbia. "UBC  hires
on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. We  encourage
all qualified persons to apply."

2. PROGRAMME MANAGER

  The  Programme  Manager  is  responsible  for  ensuring  that  Project
Seahorse   executes   its   research   and   conservation   activities
  professionally,  efficiently  and  effectively. As a member of Project
Seahorse   leadership  team,  she/he  will  participate  in  strategic
  planning,  policy  development,  systems  development  and fundraising
planning.  The  Programme  Manager provides guidance for post doctoral
  fellows, graduate students, research assistants, and research staff in
the  Philippines.  The  incumbent  will  build  and  foster  effective
  relationships   with  partners  and  collaborators,  and  develop  new
research   partnership   opportunities.   Additionally,  the  position
  oversees  financial  management,  compliance with requirements of UBC,
our  partner  institutions and donors, and ensures that the leadership
  team has financial information to make decisions.

  We  are looking for somebody with a strong work ethic who can function
independently,  exercise common sense, use discretion, and communicate
  effectively.

  Qualifications:
  -  PhD  in  a  biological  or  environmental  science (possibly social
sciences  if  related  to  conservation)  and  at  least  2  years  of
postdoctoral experience (preferably in practical conservation);
  - Strong interpersonal, leadership and visionary skills, with a proven
track   record  of  developing  relationships  with  stakeholders  and
supporting a dynamic and creative team;
  -  Experience working in or with developing countries and in a variety  of
cultural settings;
  - Proven project management skills;
  - Experience in a non-governmental organization highly desirable;
  -  Proven  ability  to  manage  complex  financial arrangements and to
prepare and effectively monitor budgets is essential.
  - Willing and able to travel, sometimes for several weeks.

  Please  send  a  cover letter and your curriculum vitae to Ms. Shannon
Charney ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).

  Deadline: Monday, September 3rd, 2007 or until post filled.

  This  full-time  position  is  an  initial  one year appointment, with
strong  potential for renewal.  The successful candidate will be based  at
the  Fisheries  Centre in the University of British Columbia. "UBC  hires
on the basis of merit and is committed t

Riparian Habitat Conference Dec 4-6, 2007

[Chrissy Howell]

INTEGRATING RIPARIAN HABITAT CONSERVATION & FLOOD MANAGEMENT IN CALIFORNIA

December 4-6, 2007 - The Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, California

 

This December, the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture (RHJV) will host agencies,
organizations, scientists, engineers, landowners, and leaders endeavoring to
protect the communities, property, and natural resources along the waterways
across California. Their shared goal will be to tackle the many issues
before them and to work toward integrating the many needs, ideas, and
solutions for sustaining a safe, vibrant, and healthy environment all along
the streams and rivers of California.

 

You are invited to attend and/or participate in this collaboration. Abstract
deadline for talks or posters is September 14, 2007.

 

Visit:   
http://www.prbo.org/calpif/rhjvconference/

 

If you have any questions or your organization is interested in sponsoring
the conference, please contact Candace Renger at  
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or (510) 524-1088.

 

 

Accepting proposals for Aquatic Reserves in WA

[[EMAIL PROTECTED]]

FYI, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is currently 
accepting proposals for aquatic reserves. The letters of intent must be 
recieved by the end of this month. 

Refer to this website for a copy of the proposal forms and in-depth info on 
the program.

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/aqr/reserves/index.html

-

The Aquatic Reserves Program is requesting proposals for new aquatic 
reserves on state-owned aquatic lands. The process for proposing a site for 
protection involves public or private groups or individuals submitting a 
letter of intent to DNR nominating a site for aquatic reserve protection. 
Through this initial submittal DNR will evaluate sites based on various 
criteria found in the Aquatic Reserves Program Implementation and 
Designation Guidance document (found on the program website). Site 
proponents whose letters of intent meet these initial criteria will be 
invited to submit a full proposal to DNR and work closely with the Aquatic 
Reserves Program throughout the site review and designation process. 
Organizations or individuals interested in proposing a site for an aquatic 
reserve should review the documents listed below.

All letters of intent identifying proposed sites must be received by end of 
business day August 31, 2007. Questions about the process and other 
information are available from Kyle Murphy, Aquatic Reserve Program Manager 
at (360) 902-1923 or by email at [EMAIL PROTECTED]


---

The Aquatic Reserves Program is part of Department of Natural Resources 
(DNR) efforts to promote preservation, restoration, and enhancement of 
state-owned aquatic lands—sites that benefit the health of native aquatic 
habitat and species in the state.

DNR is to establish state Aquatic Reserves to protect important native 
ecosystems on state-owned aquatic lands throughout the state. These are to 
be aquatic lands of special educational or scientific interest, or lands of 
special environmental importance. By examining past successes in site-based 
conservation, DNR helps ensure that aquatic reserve status is applied when 
it is the most appropriate management tool. 

DNR and its partners manage each reserve in a manner consistent with goals 
for the type of reserve established (ecological, scientific, or 
educational), described in a site-specific management plan.

Re: courses required for graduate ecology programs

[Malcolm McCallum]

I agree that interaction between ecosystems and humans can (and probably
should) be incorporated into an ecology class.  Creating a
multidisciplinary course including sociology, political science, etc. is
not the purpose of an ecology class.  Throwing in a single chapter
explaining the difference between environmnental science and ecology might
be warranted.  Human Ecology is an important area of ecology that is often
ignored, outside of a life tables lab.  So, we could do a better job of
that.

Ecology is the partially applied and partially theoretical, but it is a
single discpline.  Environmental Sciences is much more diverse.  Although
ecologists work in the environmental sciences, so do geologists, chemists,
sociologists, economists, political scientists, and an array of other
disciplinarians.  An environmental scientist typically specializes in one
of these disciplines, but is also trained to work in this multidiscplinary
environment.  IT is a completely different thing from raw ecology.

I have noticed that few introductory environmental texts really address
this appropriately.  They are usually watered down ecology texts that
emphasize conservation and resource use.  Environmental Science is a field
that sprung out of the Environmental Policy Act (1969) and the need for an
Environmental Impact Statement.  The majority of an EIS has little to do
with biology/ecology. A typical team on an EIS involves chemists,
geologists, biologists, engineers, anthropologists, archaeologists, etc.

It is interesting to me that modern environmental science is a much
different thing than the old 1970's degree program that typically amounted
to water treatment, often referred to as a "poor man's chemistry degree." 
Today, an EVS person is a very specialized scientist who works in a
multidisciplinary environment.  Ecologists do draw from multiple
disciplines, but not to near the same degree.

On Fri, August 17, 2007 4:29 am, William Silvert wrote:
> While I agree that ecology courses should deal with ecology, I wonder
> whether there is enough emphasis on the interaction of ecosystems with
> humans. I am not an educator so I do not know what the current teaching
> trends are, but I wonder to what extent topics such as the properties of
> heavily fished ecosystems are covered in coursework. Do students
> understand
> the population dynamics of populations where there is high infant
> mortality
> as opposed to high adult mortality, for example? Effects of habitat
> modification, and so on.
>
> I hope that we do not fall into the same situation that we see in the
> split
> between anthropology and sociology, where once "civilisation" starts to
> affect primitive tribes the anthropologists walk away but the sociologists
> are not yet interested, so this critical period receives too little
> attention.
>
> Bill Silvert
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Malcolm McCallum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: 
> Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 4:53 AM
> Subject: Re: courses required for graduate ecology programs
>
>
>>I think not.
>> What you are speaking of is more appropriately placed in the
>> environmental
>> science/studies degree programs rather than ecology.  Mixing these two
>> programs would do a disservice to both majors.
>>
>> On Thu, August 16, 2007 9:39 pm, LOREN BYRNE wrote:
>>> Given the increasingly recognized importance of integrating the social
>>> sciences into ecology for topics such as ecosystem services, urban
>>> ecology, etc., is it time to begin shifting our ecology education
>>> paradigm
>>> toward inclusion of "non-traditional" courses as suggested correlative
>>> courses, if not requirements, in ecology curricula, i.e., courses in
>>> sociology, economics and maybe even communications?
>>> Many might argue (legitimately so in my opinion) that such social
>>> science
>>> courses could be more important and beneficial for students who want to
>>> go
>>> into conservation biology or environmental management fields than the
>>> standard "full year of chemistry and physics."
>


Malcolm L. McCallum
Assistant Professor of Biology
Editor Herpetological Conservationa and Biology
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Re: courses required for graduate ecology programs

[Laurie Anderson]

I think that a geology course is important for ecologists, 
particularly those that go on to focus on plants.  One possibility is 
making a geology course an optional substitute for one of your upper 
level biology courses.

At 02:26 PM 8/16/2007, Jonathan Horton wrote:
>Colleagues,
>
>We are considering revising our course curriculum for our B.S. 
>Biology degree with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary 
>Biology.  Many of us feel that more training in statistics and 
>experimental design will be beneficial to our graduates seeking 
>professional positions and entry into research-based graduate 
>programs.  Our current requirements are as follows:
>
>1. A core curriculum (16 hours) required of all Biology majors that 
>includes introductory Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cellular and 
>Molecular Biology, Botany and Zoology
>2.  Chemistry (Introductory I and II with lab, Organic I and either 
>Biochemistry with a lab or Organic II with a lab
>3. Two semesters of Physics
>4. Calculus and one semester of introductory statistics
>5. And many upper level biology courses
>
>With our general education requirements (we are a public Liberal 
>Arts College), this makes it a full 4 to 4.5 year schedule for graduation.
>
>We are discussing cutting back on the amount of chemistry (through 
>Organic I) and Physics (only 1 semester) and instead having our 
>students take additional courses in Statistics (Linear Regression 
>and Anova) and experimental design and analysis.
>
>My questions to the group is this:  What are the entrance 
>requirements to ecology graduate programs in terms of course 
>work?  Which would better prepare students for a research-based 
>graduate program or professional position, additional chemistry and 
>physics or additional statistical training.
>
>We would not want to limit our graduates chances of entering a 
>graduate program by failing to meet entrance requirements in terms 
>of supplemental science coursework.  Please provide your thoughts.
>Feel free to answer off the list.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jonathan
>
>--
>*
>Jonathan Horton Ph.D.
>Department of Biology
>One University Heights
>UNC-Asheville CPO#2440
>Asheville, NC 28804
>Phone: (828)232-5152
>Fax: (828)251-6623
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>*


Dr. Laurie Anderson (Laurel J. Anderson)
Associate Professor
Dept. of Botany/Microbiology
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH 43015
740-368-3501
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 

Internships Available Now at Cedar Creek Natural History Area

[=?iso-8859-1?Q?LuAnn_Marotte?=]

The Cedar Creek Natural History Area of the University of Minnesota has 
opportunities for students to work as research interns. Positions are full 
or part-time and run from now through at least early November, possibly 
through December or longer.  Most of the work will happen at CCNHA, however 
there is potential for work on the St. Paul campus of the University of 
Minnesota as well.  Pay is $10.00 per hour. If you are an undergraduate or 
a newly graduated student with a background in biology, ecology, 
environmental sience, soil science, or related field  and want to start a 
career in one of these fields,  or if you have a strong background and 
interest in flora of the Great Plains, we encourage you to apply.
 
Much of our current work examines the ecology of our changing planet. 
Around the globe, humans are inducing extinctions, changing the atmosphere, 
increasing nutrients, transporting invasive species, altering fire 
frequency—all of which may alter the stability and functioning of 
ecosystems worldwide. At Cedar Creek we try to understand such impacts on 
ecosystems through long-term experiments and observations.  In our largest 
experiment, we examine the effect of biodiversity on nutrient retention, 
productivity, invasion, pathogens, and other ecological properties.  
Numerous other projects study such topics as the effects of fire, herbivory 
by insects, bioremediation, and microbial communities. Research is headed 
by Drs. Mark Davis, Sarah Hobbie, Linda Kinkel, Jean Knops,  Clarence 
Lehman, Peter Reich, David Tilman, and others. Programs are funded by the 
National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the Andrew Mellon 
Foundation, and other sources. 

The Cedar Creek Natural History Area itself is a nine square mile 
experimental ecological reserve 35 miles north of the Twin Cities. Because 
of its fortunate location in mid-continent at the triple meeting point of 
three great biomes of North America, it carries much of the continent's 
biological heritage. Cedar Creek is endowed with a diverse mosaic of 
prairie, savanna, sedge meadows, bogs, open water, forests, and even 
abandoned agricultural fields. Its large size, great natural diversity, and 
uniform soil substrate make it ideal for ecosystem studies, and also makes 
it a nice place to work. 

As a research intern, you would contribute to our ongoing experiments by 
collecting field data (i.e. estimating plant abundances, monitoring 
environmental conditions such as light availability and soil moisture, 
gathering and processing soil samples), installing new environmental 
monitoring equipment, maintaining experimental areas, prescribed burning, 
and so forth. Typical work days are eight hours, with occasional weekends 
possible. On-site dormitory housing is available for approximately $300 per 
month. This is hard work and mostly outdoors, though a few jobs have indoor 
laboratory or computer components. You have the opportunity to initiate 
your own research and interact with graduate students, post-doctoral 
researchers, and faculty members. In addition, your department may be able 
to approve this internship, with an appropriate independent project, for 
any field biology requirement of your major. 

To apply, please: (1) send a letter describing a) how this position would 
help you achieve your career goals, b) your work experience, c) dates you 
are available at full or part-time status, d) minority status (optional), 
e) email address, f) where you heard about this opportunity, (2) include a 
resume (maximum of two pages), (3) send a copy of your transcript 
(unofficial), (4) have two letters of recommendation sent. Applications are 
being accepted now, with the deadline for completed applications being 
August 31, 2007. You will receive an email regarding your status when your 
application is complete. Send all materials to:

Dr. Jeff Corney
Cedar Creek Natural History Area 
Attn: Internship Program 
2660 Fawn Lake DR NE 
Bethel, MN 55005 

Please direct inquiries to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For more information visit: http://cedarcreek.umn.edu/interns/

Marine Mammal Observation (a chance to fund your own research)

[GeoMotive]

Job: Marine Mammal Observation (a chance to fund your own research)
Salary: $34,000-43,000

Would you like to fund your research without piles of paperwork? If so, why
not work for us as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) in the Gulf of Mexico. You
can earn $34,000 to $43,000 for 6 months work and still have 6 months free
for your own projects. 

Geomotive Inc. and Marine Team work together to provide one of the best MMO
services available worldwide. Look us up on www.marineteam.com and
www.geomotive.net

You will help to ensure the protection of cetaceans and sea turtles. You
will work on seismic research vessels to ensure that all operations comply
with Marine Mammal Mitigation Legislation. 

Duties include visual observation of Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles (good
vision essential), and written recording of animal sightings and behaviour
etc. (basic computer skills required). You will also need to liaise with the
vessel crew, so good communication and diplomacy skills are essential.

Work is based on 6 week rotations. This means 6 weeks offshore working every
day, and then a 6 week rest period when you are free to do as you like.

Rotations starting 26th of August and through Fall 2007. Travel to vessel
and home again arranged and prepaid, travel days paid, meals/lodging paid,
full insurance while working. No taxes withheld by employer, individuals are
responsible for reporting earnings to relevant government bodies.

Candidates MUST have:

•   US/Canadian residency or a US B1 OCS visa.
•   At least a Bachelors degree in related field: Biology, Oceanology,
Zoology, etc.
•   Proven offshore Marine Mammal observation experience (researchers, whale
watching guides, etc), and preferably Mitigation experience on a seismic
survey vessel or other offshore mitigation experience (fisheries, conservation).
•   Dedication to Marine Mammal research and conservation.
•   Good diplomacy skills.

You will also need

•   Offshore medical
-We can provide information on how to get one.
•   Offshore survival and Protected Species Observer training
-If you do not have this training you must be able to attend classes 26/27
August 2007. Further training to be announced for September/October.

Qualified applicants please send CV (No PDF´s please) and request an
application form from:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]

hunting & conservation funding

[Swain, Pat (FWE)]

This started as an attempt to make a brief point that there are ways of
raising funds for conservation work that have been proposed and don't
appear to be being followed up on. It sort of grew to include some
explanations of why some public lands are required to be open for
hunting and fishing.

In the US, there are funding mechanisms for state fish and wildlife
agencies that some in the US conservation arena have worked to imitate.
As an ecologist working in a state fish and wildlife agency, I've been
hearing about how lands are bought for hunting and fishing, and projects
supported, staff paid - it makes better sense now I know a bit of the
history. I should add that my office receives some of the federal funds
and habitat work I do gets included in the agency's federal
reimbursement. Not all states include vegetation ecologists, rare
species botanists and invertebrate zoologists, or rare vertebrate
zoologists in the wildlife envelope.

Since the 1930s in the US, much money for hunting and fishing agencies,
and some land acquisition has been raised by federal excise taxes on
hunting and fishing equipment, put on at the manufacturing level at the
request and urging of the hunting community. The Pittman-Robertson
(hunting) and Dingell-Johnson (fishing) funds are then apportioned to
the states by the numbers of licenses sold and state size, as
reimbursement funds. PR was established in the late 1930s, DJ was late
1950s. Each took decades of attempts to go through the US Congress. Much
more info on this at the USFWS website http://federalasst.fws.gov/
that has information about the Federal Aid in Wildlife and Federal Aid
in Fish Restoration Programs that were created by Pittman-Robertson and
Dingell-Johnson (and later Wallop-Breaux) Acts.

About 10 years ago, there was a movement called Teaming with Wildlife to
apply equivalent taxes to birdseed, binoculars, and other items
associated with popular aspects of environmentalism. Although supported
by many environmental groups and some in congress, it got sidelined (I'm
told the manufacturers didn't like it, and taxes do have a bad name) and
a much more modest funding mechanism replaced it (some of the off shore
oil money, which also goes to Land and Water Conservation). The result
is funding work by state wildlife agencies on animal (inverts are
allowed, although I suspect not required) 'species in need of
conservation' that are not listed as rare, but are also not hunted
(non-game) and their habitats. Teaming With Wildlife website (includes
info from each state on how State Wildlife Grant funding is spent)
http://www.teaming.com/   I see that the website has info about efforts
on Long Term Funding, but doesn't mention the excise tax idea.

In addition, in Massachusetts anyway, the hunters and fishers again tax
themselves by requiring that everyone buying a hunting or fishing
license must purchase a land stamp, the money goes to buy land. Most of
the lands so acquired are required to be open to hunting and fishing,
although since the rare species focused natural heritage program is in
fish and wildlife in Massachusetts, occasionally lands that are
inappropriate for hunting have been bought to protect a rare species.
Here there are also state bond funds usually available for protecting
lands with rare species, but no automatic funding source like the
sportsman's licenses. 

The point here is that the hunting / fishing world worked on their
funding and got it for state agencies to buy land and manage wildlife
and fisheries. They worked hard to get the funding and maintain it. The
model is there for conservation groups to follow up on.

Pat
--
Patricia Swain, Ph.D.
Community Ecologist
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough, MA 01581
508-389-6352fax 508-389-7891
http://www.nhesp.org

Re: in Memorium yangtzee dolphin

[Reynaldo Linares-Palomino]

The original article describing the "First human-caused extinction of a
cetacean species?" appeared actually in Biology Letters and can be read at

http://www.journals.royalsoc.ac.uk/content/15782wq480207749/

Saludos,

Reynaldo


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Re: courses required for graduate ecology programs

[William Silvert]

While I agree that ecology courses should deal with ecology, I wonder 
whether there is enough emphasis on the interaction of ecosystems with 
humans. I am not an educator so I do not know what the current teaching 
trends are, but I wonder to what extent topics such as the properties of 
heavily fished ecosystems are covered in coursework. Do students understand 
the population dynamics of populations where there is high infant mortality 
as opposed to high adult mortality, for example? Effects of habitat 
modification, and so on.

I hope that we do not fall into the same situation that we see in the split 
between anthropology and sociology, where once "civilisation" starts to 
affect primitive tribes the anthropologists walk away but the sociologists 
are not yet interested, so this critical period receives too little 
attention.

Bill Silvert

- Original Message - 
From: "Malcolm McCallum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: 
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 4:53 AM
Subject: Re: courses required for graduate ecology programs


>I think not.
> What you are speaking of is more appropriately placed in the environmental
> science/studies degree programs rather than ecology.  Mixing these two
> programs would do a disservice to both majors.
>
> On Thu, August 16, 2007 9:39 pm, LOREN BYRNE wrote:
>> Given the increasingly recognized importance of integrating the social
>> sciences into ecology for topics such as ecosystem services, urban
>> ecology, etc., is it time to begin shifting our ecology education 
>> paradigm
>> toward inclusion of "non-traditional" courses as suggested correlative
>> courses, if not requirements, in ecology curricula, i.e., courses in
>> sociology, economics and maybe even communications?
>> Many might argue (legitimately so in my opinion) that such social science
>> courses could be more important and beneficial for students who want to 
>> go
>> into conservation biology or environmental management fields than the
>> standard "full year of chemistry and physics." 

Massachusetts Natural Heritage Information Manager state position

[Swain, Pat (FWE)]

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Natural Heritage &
Endangered Species Program has an opening for an Information Manager.
This is a state position (Conservation Biologist II). Prior Natural
Heritage experience is preferred.  Application deadline is September
3rd.
The job announcement is at:
https://jobs.hrd.state.ma.us/recruit/public/3111/job/job_view.do?pos
tingId=J11328&code=search.public&companyId=59 

You need the entire url above from https to 59

The person in this position supervises the NHESP database manager and
the NHESP GIS manager, and coordinates products from the NHESP database
including reports to MassWildlife and other agencies and the biennial
NHESP Atlas that shows habitat polygons of listed species for
regulation.

More about NHESP at www.nhesp.org 

Pat
--
Patricia Swain, Ph.D.
Community Ecologist
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough, MA 01581
508-389-6352fax 508-389-7891
http://www.nhesp.org