SEI Homepage

SEI Programs

Coral Reefs

Temperate Shores

Forest Birds

Forest Ecosystems

Montserrat Volcano

California Redwood

SEI Special Symposium

Integrating Research into Policy

 

SEI ANNOUNCES UPCOMING NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

" INTEGRATING RESEARCH INTO POLICY"

June 18th 1999 at the Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting
University of Maryland

Symposium I. Integrating Research into Policy (BP 1240)
Friday morning 18 June, 8:30 - 12:00 noon
Organized by Dr. Deborah Brosnan, Sustainable Ecosystems Institute (brosnan@sei.org)

Overview: We are entering the century of the environment. Ironically this is a time when biodiversity is in crisis, and scientists are needed most. Despite the increased involvement of scientists in conservation issues, the gap between scientific information and its use in conservation policy remains large. This symposium will explore the challenges and opportunities to incorporating science into policy. Topics include: 1. Are scientists doing anything useful? 1. Creating a research program that addresses decision makers needs and still maintains scientific integrity; 2. Communicating scientific results effectively to non-scientists. 3. Understanding the opportunities and challenges that exist in the policy arena. 4 Lessons and experiences from the field. The symposium speakers have extensive experience in the interaction of science and policy, and have been actively involved from both academic, advocacy, and policy-making perspectives.

Program
8:30-9:00 Scientists are from Mars; Decision-makers are from Venus: Why conservation decisions are not science-based and what we can do about it.
Deborah BROSNAN and Robin Manasse. SEI

9:00-9:30 How policy makers use and don't use science in decision making: What every scientist should know
Nancy GREEN, Assistant Director USDA Forest Service

9:30-10:00 Assessment of risk and uncertainty in conservation biology: Differences
between scientists and policy makers
Barry NOON, Colorado State University

10:00 - 10:30 refreshment break

10:30-11:00 The use of scientists and scientific information in advocacy oriented
conservation organizations
Sara VICKERMAN, Defenders of Wildlife

11:00-11:30 Murrelets in the mist: conservation biology and the 'Headwaters' HCP
Martin CODY, UCLA, Steven Courtney and David Bigger, SEI

11:30-12:00 How to lose your political virginity while keeping your scientific credibility.
David E., BLOCKSTEIN Committee for the National Institute for the Environment D.C.

This will interest all those involved in conservation and natural resource issues. We hope that you can join us. For further information please contact Dr. Deborah Brosnan at 503-246-5008 or brosnan@sei.org
For more information on the symposium visit the SCB web site at http://www.inform.umd.edu/SCB/ and the SEI web site http://sei.org