FINAL CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

This is a REMINDER that abstracts are due July 1st for the First National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration (NCER) to be held December 6-10, 2004 in Lake Buena Vista (Orlando) Florida at the Wyndham Palace.

Scientists and managers involved in restoration efforts across the country are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts describing their projects.

Special consideration will be given to work that synthesizes existing information. Abstract submissions will be used to select oral and poster presentations, and ALL abstracts, both oral and poster, will be published in a printed book and on CD ROM, and will be posted on a web site following the conference. The conference program agenda is tentatively slated to allow 20-minutes per oral presentation. Researchers not wishing to give a talk are strongly encouraged to submit an abstract for poster presentations.

Three formal poster sessions are scheduled to provide networking opportunities and facilitate scientific interaction among all participants. So make plans to join your fellow scientists, educators, restoration planners, managers and decision-makers to discuss similarities, differences, successes and failures of ecosystem restoration programs throughout the country.

One-page abstracts are due no later than July 1, 2004 and must be submitted electronically.

Detailed instructions and event information is posted on the conference website at: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ecosystem

PROGRAM TOPICS (detailed descriptions of subject matter within each topic are posted on the conference web site)

* Science Synthesis and Scaling
* Detecting Change Across Scales
* Planning Restoration
* Adaptive Management
* Effective Science Communication Within and Beyond Restoration Programs
* National Priorities for Ecosystem Restoration

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration information and forms to register are now posted on the conference web site. We ask that all intended presenters register ONLINE as soon as possible. When registering, please note there are THREE optional post-conference field trips to choose from, and the conference will also feature a special hands-on workshop on The Role of Science in Adaptive Management. Limited space is available on a first-come, first-served basis to participate in the field trips and the Adaptive Management workshop, so you are encourage to pre-register as soon as possible. Reduced conference registration fees are available to students with proper identification.

You May Conveniently REGISTER in One of THREE Easy Ways:

1.) ON-LINE: Register on-line using a credit card via the secured conference website located at:
<http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ecosystem>

2.) BY FAX: If you are paying by credit card, print out and complete the conference registration form and FAX it directly to the Office of Conferences and Institutes at 352-392-9734. (The registration form is located on the conference web site as a printable display file (PDF) under the registration section.)

3.) BY MAIL: Print out and complete the PDF of the registration form posted on the web site and mail it along with payment using the address and mailing instructions provided on the form.

HOTEL INFORMATION & RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS
The Wyndham Palace in Lake Buena Vista is the host conference site. The Wyndham is now taking hotel reservations and we recommend you make your guest room reservation as soon as possible to assure availability at the reduced rate of $95 per night, single or double occupancy plus 11 percent tax. This rate is within the confines of the federal per diem for the Orlando area, and the rate will be honored from November 30 - December 15, based on availability. When making your reservation, be sure to specify you are attending the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration. All hotel reservations must be made by Friday, October 22, 2004. After this date, neither availability nor the discounted group rate is guaranteed, so dont delay. Make your hotel reservation as soon as possible. Hotel reservations can be made online via the Hotel & Meeting Site link on the conference web site. Additional links are provided to Avis Rent-a-Car, the Orlando International Airport, area maps and attractions among others.

SPONSORSHIP & DISPLAY OPPORTUNITIES
If you think your organization would be interested in becoming a sponsor or having an informative display at the conference, visit the conference web site to reserve display space ONLINE. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Stan Bronson, Executive Director of the Florida Earth Foundation by phone at: (561) 682-2059 or by email at:
stan@floridaearth.org

PUBLICITY & CONFERENCE DETAILS
If you could please take a moment to forward this message to colleagues who may be interested in attending, we would appreciate your help with getting the word out. There are two PDF files of promotional flyers that can be printed off the web site if you would like to post a notice on your organizations bulletin board, or if you would like to take copies to upcoming meetings you may be attending. We appreciate your help with publicizing this national event, and thank you for your assistance. We look forward to receiving your abstract and to seeing you in Orlando!

Best wishes on behalf of the organizing committee,

Sincerely,

Ms. Beth Miller-Tipton, Director
UF/IFAS Office of Conferences and Institutes (OCI) -AND- Coordinator,
First National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration PO Box 110750 /
Gainesville, FL
32611-0750
PHONE: 1-352-392-5930 / FAX 1-352-392-9734
EMAIL: mailto:bmiller-tipton@ifas.ufl.edu
Website: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ecosystem