Greetings,

At SEI we are welcoming 2003 with new initiatives, ongoing programs, and a few changes at our Institute. We'd like to share these with you and alert you to the important administrative and other changes at SEI.

SEI's goal is to help solve ecological problems by advancing science and by helping stakeholders integrate scientific information into environmental decisions. In 2002 we met our goal with many accomplishments in science-policy and in research. Among our achievements:

Through its science policy program, SEI

  provided scientific peer reviews of species plans and of critical habitat, listing actions, and Habitat Conservation Plans under ESA for natural resources agencies.

  convened a series of blue ribbon science panels to help develop science-based species and land-use management.

  hosted and ran a forestry science tour for international forest scientists..

  SEI scientists presented at plenary sessions and guest seminars as keynote or invited speakers, including the Forest Futures Conference (Willamette University), Science and Ethics Lecture Series (WSU), Oregon Graduate Institute, Wildlife Society, Ecological Society of America, British Ecological Society, Landscape Ecology Conference, and participated in a several national and international workshops and meetings.

Through its research, SEI

  Discovered and identified 5 new undescribed moth species in Telluride Colorado as part of a comprehensive research and scientific synthesis on the San Miguel Headwaters, Colorado.

  showed that reserves enhance the recovery of important fish species, and showcased the effectiveness of the St. Barthelemy (French West Indies) marine reserve.

  developed the use of radar to study the elusive Marbled Murrelet

  helped to restore over 1,000 acres of ponderosa pine and aspen in the Wallowa mountains of NE Oregon.

·  advanced its ongoing program on the effects of forest disturbances on bird populations of the interior NW

  supported and advised three graduate students

SEI scientists authored a series of scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, reports, and other publications based on ongoing projects and research (list available on the website).

We enter 2003 with many of these projects continuing and with new initiatives, including

  new science panels for temperate forests and for the Everglades species, and science ethics

  peer reviews, including critical habitat for the bull trout.

  role of modeling in informing natural resource decisions

  A multi-state research program focused on land restoration in the west

The demand for our work is growing and 2003 will see our efforts continue and bring new administrative changes at SEI.

Administrative and Other Changes

We are in a strategic phase at SEI where we will be strengthening our existing role and evaluating new initiatives and arenas. Our focus on the integration of science into policy through peer review and science panels, and our research aimed at answering critical questions for conservation and natural resource management will remain the cornerstone of our Institute. Our ongoing projects will continue as normal and we will also be taking on new projects. We're moving out of our current building in Taylors Ferry Road Portland. Our new Portland contact address is:

Sustainable Ecosystems Institute
8835 SW Canyon Lane,
Suite 210
Portland, Or 97225.
Tel: 503 246 5008
Fax: 503 203 1581
(This change will be effective February 01 2003).

Our central phone number, web and e-mail addresses will remain the same, and we have added two new direct Portland phone contacts: Dr. Deborah Brosnan can, as usual, be reached at the main number and also has a direct number (503) 869 5769. Similarly Dr. Steven Courtney can be reached at central number and at (503) 201-1050. Our main line is the primary number for all other contacts in Portland. Contact information for SEI-Idaho and Northern California remain unchanged.

A number of SEI's new initiatives are being driven from the Bay Area and will require us to spend time there in the coming months, as well as commuting to our existing offices and projects. Beginning in March 2003, Dr. Deborah Brosnan and Dr. Courtney will be housed on the Stanford University campus for part of their time. We're excited to be working on new ways that will allow us to better meet our mission and to bring new services and opportunities in science, conservation, and natural resource management.

We will continue to post regular updates of our activities on the website www.sei.org, and if you want more regular updates please subscribe to the electronic newsletter SEI updates by contacting sei@sei.org.

We look forward to continued interactions in the year ahead. Best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous 2003

Kind Regards
Dr. Deborah Brosnan
President SEI