Scientists at the Ecological Society of America’s 2011 Annual Meeting to discuss global stewardship

Posted by on May 16, 2011

Press registration now open for meeting of the world’s largest organization of ecological scientists

Registration is now open to members of the media for the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) 96th Annual Meeting on August 7-12, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The meeting, which has the theme “Earth Stewardship: Preserving and enhancing the earth’s life-support systems,” is expected to  draw more than 3,500 scientists, policy makers, educators and concerned citizens to share emerging research and explore strategies to enhance community-based approaches to global responsibility.

Moderated by Laura Huenneke, Vice President for Public Affairs at the Ecological Society of America, the meeting’s Opening Plenary Panel will feature a discussion of the religious and moral, psychological and management aspects of nurturing stewardship of the planet. The panelists include Matthew Anderson Stembridge, executive director of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Susan Clayton, environmental psychologist at The College of Wooster, and Richard Morgan, manager of Austin Energy Green Building. The Opening Plenary will take place Sunday, August 7 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center.

Other highlights include MacArthur Award winner Stephen Pacala, ESA MacArthur Lecturer and director of the Princeton Environmental Institute, who will be the Keynote Speaker on Monday, August 8, 8:00-10:00 a.m. A live music concert will take place on Thursday evening, August 11, to benefit local environmental groups.

The scientific program features 24 symposia, 38 workshops, 22 field trips, and a host of special sessions, organized and contributed oral sessions and poster sessions. The field trips will explore everything from avian ecology of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge to a Bracken Bat cave. While members of the press are welcome to participate in these trips, press registration does not cover field trip fees. An exhibition hall will showcase publishers of scientific texts and journals among other exhibits.

Preliminary meeting information is available at www.esa.org/austin. Please note that all abstracts are embargoed until 12:00 a.m. EDT on the day of their presentation. Interested press should contact Katie Kline at gro.asenull@eitak or 202-833-8773 x211 to register.

Scientific presentations will include special sessions and workshops devoted to:

  • Ecology and Human Rights: Defining the Relationship, Identifying the Opportunities
  • Introducing ESA’s Guidebook on Effective Communication and Policy Engagement
  • Earth Stewardship in Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities
  • The Greening of Higher Education
  • Photography for Ecologists
  • Fostering Diversity and Inclusiveness in Ecology
  • Shaping the future: how students can set a precedent for Planetary Stewardship

Field trip highlights include:

  • Canoe Trip: Ecology and Restoration of the Upper San Marcos River
  • Urban Bioblitz: Ecologists Contributing to and Learning from a Progressive Austin Community Restoration Effort
  • Big Bend National Park – Chihuahuan Desert Diversity
  • Ecology and Conservation of the Endangered Barton Springs Salamander and Swimming at Barton Springs Pool
  • Hornsby Bend – Ecology of an Urban Wasteland

Newsroom Operation

Members of the press (see policy below) are exempt from registration fees and may attend all meeting sessions. A staffed press room, including computers, a printer, telephones and an interview area, will be available. The newsroom will be open:

  • Sunday, August 7: 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
  • Monday, August 8 – Thursday, August 11: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, August 12: 7:30 a.m.-Noon

ESA Policy on Press Credentials

We will waive registration for reporters with a recognized press card. Registration is also waived for current members of the National Association of Science Writers, the Canadian Science Writers Association, the International Science Writers Association and the Society of Environmental Journalists.

We do not waive registration for editors of peer-reviewed journals, ad sales representatives, publishers, program officers or marketing professionals.

Institutional Press Officers

Press officers may request copies of all abstracts related to their institution. ESA will distribute any relevant press releases in the Annual Meeting press room. Please contact Katie Kline at gro.asenull@eitak or 202-833-8773 x211 for more information.

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