What's New @ Ramsar

Freshwater symposium set for American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History invites you to attend a two-day conference on innovative approaches to freshwater biodiversity conservation around the world. Poster abstract submissions are encouraged, and will be accepted until January 31.

NEW CURRENTS IN CONSERVING FRESHWATER SYSTEMS
A Biodiversity Science Symposium
http://cbc.amnh.org/symposia/freshwater/

Thursday and Friday, April 7 and 8, 2005
American Museum of Natural History
New York City

EARLY-REGISTRATION and STUDENT PRICING AVAILABLE until March 18!

In the increasingly vital quest to build a sustainable economy, the conservation of freshwater systems and the biodiversity that depends upon their ecological integrity is a paramount, but elusive goal. Dedicated scientists and managers have worked for decades to improve the health of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, yet in most places the battle is being lost. There is an urgent need for the development and application of innovative new approaches to freshwater conservation, and for the sharing of success stories.

In April 2005, the American Museum of Natural History will host a forum for scientists and conservation practitioners to highlight recent successful initiatives in freshwater conservation, to discuss cutting-edge ideas and tools, and to investigate how and where these innovations might be implemented on the ground. The symposium will showcase projects that are rooted in the best available science, integrate scientific fields, and link science with other disciplines. This cross-disciplinary integration will generate a fertile landscape for discussing the way forward in freshwater conservation.

"New Currents in Conserving Freshwater Systems" is sponsored by the American Museum's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and National Park Service. Major funding is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additional support is provided by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, The Nature Conservancy, and the American Fisheries Society.

CALL FOR POSTERS: A limited number of posters will be accepted for presentation. Poster subjects must relate to the symposium's general theme (innovations in freshwater biodiversity conservation) but are not limited geographically. Case studies are encouraged. For abstract submission guidelines, go to http://cbc.amnh.org/symposia/freshwater/. Submission deadline EXTENDED to Monday, 31 January 2005.

Fiona Brady
Outreach Program Coordinator
Center for Biodiversity and Conservation
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 496-3431
Fax: (212) 769-5292
brady@amnh.org

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 22 December 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.