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ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Economic incentives to conserve endangered species
• Job Announcements
• Grants and Scholarships
• New Educational Materials
• Meetings and Workshops

Economic incentives to conserve endangered species

Efforts to conserve endangered species and the habitat required for their survival often conflict with the economic planning of private landowners. Regulatory mechanisms designed to conserve wildlife habitat have been highly controversial and largely ineffective at slowing the rate of habitat loss and the decline of biodiversity in the United States. Our society rewards innovation and economic efficiency. The imposition of regulatory constraints on landowners whose holdings include critical habitats inflicts handicaps that run counter to conventional market forces and create economic stress on private landowners.

The Endangered Species Act is based on the concept that it is in the public interest to protect and sustain taxa whose continued existence is in doubt due to human activities. It is therefore appropriate to consider economic and regulatory incentives to protect vital habitat and achieve public interest objectives.

This white paper is intended to solicit input to a new conservation effort being developed in southwest Florida. This effort is designed to provide economic incentives to private landowners to conserve habitat for the endangered Florida Panther, as well as for other wildlife and ecological benefits. In this respect, the goal is to make the presence of wildlife habitats and endangered species a regulatory asset rather than an economic liability. Although this effort is presently targeting the Florida Panther, the concept has potentially national significance for conservation of wildlife habitat.

The program being proposed is one based on Habitat Conservation Lease Agreements that would provide economic incentives to private landowners in exchange for development rights. A conceptual lease has been crafted by private landowners but details of this program are still in the developmental phase. This white paper is not an endorsement of the conceptual lease, but a request to interested parties to provide comments that will assist in the development of an effective and equitable program for the conservation of wildlife habitat. Details of the Panther and Private Lands Initiative and opportunities for comment are available at http://www.fl-panther.com. In addition to input on this program, we encourage the contribution of information about other incentive-based conservation programs.

The panther habitat that exists on publicly owned land is relatively secure from change but is inadequate in size to ensure survival of the species. The ultimate survival of the Florida Panther in Florida, and for endangered species and biodiversity throughout the United States, will depend on retaining strong public support and the development of innovative long-term approaches to protect and maintain existing wildlife habitat on private lands.

For more information contact Martin Main, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 2686 Highway 29 North, Immokalee, Florida 34142-9515.

Job Announcements

The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida seeks a wetlands wildlife ecologist for a 12-month, tenure-accruing position of Assistant Professor. Teaching responsibilities (70%) include undergraduate courses in wetland wildlife resources, conservation biology, a graduate course in area of specialization, and supervision and advisement of graduate students. Research responsibilities (30%) include developing a competitive program in the ecology of wetlands in Florida, emphasizing wetland wildlife, protection, and restoration. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology, conservation biology, or a closely related field, and demonstrate excellence in written and oral communication skills, strong commitment to teaching, and ability to procure extramural funding. Applications include resume, official academic transcripts, and contact information for five references. Refer to position #925320. Deadline is 1 June 1998. Forward applications and inquiries to Mel Sunquist, Search and Screen Committee, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, P.O. Box 110430, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0430, Telephone (352) 392-4851, FAX (352) 392-6984, Email mesu@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu.

The Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program at The Institute for Bird Populations (IBP) seeks a research scientist. Duties include (1) developing and implementing analytical models and statistical methods for use with MAPS data, (2) developing experimental designs and sampling strategies for siting MAPS stations, (3) conducting analyses of MAPS data, (4) preparing publications, and (5) drafting general MAPS program and contract reports. Requirements include Ph.D.; strengths in biometry, mark-recapture modeling, and life-history theory; and knowledge of landbird biology and GIS applications. Post-doctoral or equivalent experience desirable. Starting salary range is US$40-42,000 plus benefits. Send letter of application, curriculum vitae, reprints of two major publications, two letters of recommendation, and two additional references to David Desante, Executive Director, IBP, P.O. Box 1346, Point Reyes Station, California 94956-1346, Telephone (415) 663-1436.

The Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy seeks a director of conservation programs. Responsibilities include ecoregional and site conservation planning in collaboration with the state Director, Management Team, and Conservation Team; coordination of the work of geographically based conservation teams and project oversight; interdisciplinary coordination; and management of the protection, science and stewardship, and governmental relations programs. Requirements include a graduate degree in biological or natural sciences and at least seven years experience in land and water conservation work. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. Submit cover letter and resume to Joan Krausman, Director of Administration, The Nature Conservancy, 633 W. Main Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703.

The Pacific Southwest Research Station, United States Forest Service seeks two assistants to monitor movement patterns and habitat associations of mountain yellow-legged frogs (Rana muscosa) in Kings Canyon National Park, California 15 July - 10 October 1998. Responsibilities include habitat evaluations and mark-recapture, count, and telemetry surveys in remote, high- elevation locations. Requirements include several years of undergraduate training in biology and previous field research and backpacking experience. Experience capturing and handling frogs and using GPS, telemetry, and PIT tagging equipment helpful. Applicants must supply most of their own backpacking equipment and be able to work independently in difficult conditions. Salary is US$805 every two weeks plus $18 per diem. To apply, submit a resume, cover letter including contact information for four references, and college transcripts to Karen Pope, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, P.O. Box 245, Berkeley, California 94701 by 1 June 1998. For additional information contact Karen Pope, Email kpope.psw@fs.fed.us.

Grants and Scholarships

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through a cooperative agreement with the United States Golf Association, requests preproposals for projects that address wildlife conservation needs on golf courses. All projects must address issues of management concern to the golf industry, and should provide management recommendations applicable on at least a regional basis. Areas of interest include options for increasing biodiversity on golf courses, the role of golf courses as wildlife corridors or barriers, management guidelines for specific species or suites of species, monitoring the success of wildlife habitat conservation programs on golf courses, and the effects of golfer and maintenance activities on wildlife. Approximately US$80,000 will be available. Request should not exceed $25,000 per year; multi-year funding is possible. Deadline for preproposals is 31 July 1998. Full proposal deadline will be early September 1998, with funding available in February 1999. For guidelines contact Katie Distler, NFWF, 1120 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20036, Telephone (202) 857-0166, Email distler@nfwf.org.

The Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF) seeks proposals for one-time seed grants of US$500-2000 for research projects that determine the nature, extent, and causes of declines of amphibians throughout the world and/or promote means by which declines can be halted or reversed. Funds generally are not provided for personnel costs. Funds are available for climate change and UVB studies ($12,000), climate change and UVB exposure, environmental oestrogens, or synergistic studies of climate change and chemical contaminants ($5025), DAPTF National or Regional Working Groups ($5000), and unrestricted studies ($10,000). Proposals should not exceed four pages. They should include a description of the intended work, a statement of how the project will fulfill DAPTF objectives (see http://www.open.ac.uk/OU/Academic/Biology/J_Baker/JBtxt.htm), and a budget. Send proposals to Tim Halliday, DAPTF, Biology Department, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom. Direct queries to John Wilkinson, International DAPTF Coordinator, at the same address or Email daptf@open.ac.uk. Deadline for receipt of proposals is 1 July 1998.

The Gopher Tortoise Council annually awards the J. Larry Landers Student Research Award to the best student research proposal. Awards average approximately US$500. Projects may focus on the gopher tortoise, its habitat, or related areas of interest. Applications should include an outline of the project, a proposed budget, and a brief curriculum vitae. The deadline for receipt of proposals for the 1998 award is 31 August 1998. Send proposals to Bob Herrington, Department of Biology, Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, Georgia 31709.

New Educational Materials

Colorado State University has produced three videos on forest fragmentation in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. The videos are products of a conference on that topic held at Colorado State University. One video addresses human causes of forest fragmentation in the central Rockies (30 minutes), one deals with natural causes of forest fragmentation (31 minutes), and the third discusses biodiversity responses to forest fragmentation in the region (32 minutes). Videos are US$10 each from Office of Instructional Services, Colorado State University, A71 Clark Building, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, Telephone (970) 491-1325.

Meetings and Workshops

Helping the Land Heal, a conference on ecological restoration in British Columbia, will be held 5-7 November 1998 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The conference will include plenary presentations, workshops, poster sessions, and field trips. Travel and accommodation subsidies will be available for presenters and delegates from British Columbia’s north and interior regions, students, and representatives of non-profit organizations. See the conference web site for details. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 1 June 1998. Conference proceedings will be published. For more information contact Brian Egan, P.O. Box 50043, 15-1594 Fairfield Road, Victoria, British Columbia V8S 1G0, Canada, Telephone (250) 598-9056, FAX (250) 598-9076, Email restore@islandnet.com, WWW http://www.islandnet.com/~restore.

An international conference, Tropical Restoration for the New Millennium, will be held 23-28 May 1999 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The conference, co-sponsored by the Society of Ecological Restoration, the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations, and the University of Puerto Rico, will be held jointly with the Fourth Annual Puerto Rico Forestry Conference. Contact J. Parrotta, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 25000, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico 00928-5000, Email j_parrotta@upr1.upr.clu.edu.

The fourth international conifer conference, Conifers for the Future, will be held 22-25 August 1999 at Wye College, Kent, England. The main scientific sponsors of the conference will be the Royal Botanic Garden (Edinburgh), Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew), Royal Horticultural Society, Forestry Commissions, and International Dendrology Society. For more information contact Lisa von Schlippe, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, Telephone 0181 332 5198, FAX 0181 332 5197, Email L.von.schlippe@rbgkew.org.uk.

The Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, Potlatch Corporation, Boise Cascade Corporation, and Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society will hold a symposium on scale and accuracy in species and habitat prediction models from 18-22 October 1999 in Snowbird, Utah. The symposium will examine how accuracy of predictions of species presence, abundance, and viability vary with habitat variables used, scale of model, and temporal application. Uses of model predictions in wildlife management and land use planning will be discussed. Mathematical aspects of predictive models will be addressed in an associated one-day workshop. Abstracts are sought for poster and oral presentations on uses and tests of species habitat prediction models. Proceedings of the symposium will be refereed and published. For more information contact Kathy Merk, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844-1141, Telephone (208) 885-2750, Email kmerk@uidaho.edu.

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