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Need help preparing for a career in the natural sciences?

November 12, 2015

WRSA Workshop 2015If you're ready to start your career in natural sciences but need help navigating the interview process or building a strong resume, ASU's Wildlife and Restoration Student Association (WRSA) wants to help.

On November 23, the WRSA is hosting a career workshop at ASU’s Polytechnic Campus that gives students access to professionals in the field for help in preparing a resume or honing their interview skills.

Representatives from non-profit organizations and government agencies including Arizona Game and Fish, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, will be on hand to offer resume advice and conduct mock interviews with students.

Interested participants should RSVP and bring a current resume to the event. For more information, see the event flier.

ASU's SACNAS Chapter to host "Inspiring Science Career Paths" event

November 10, 2015

Take part in an evening of engaging stories and conversation with three scientists to find out how they shaped their career paths to reach their individual goals.

Guest speakers include Sharon Hall, Ph.D., ASU School of Life Sciences; Melissa Wilson-Sayres, Ph.D., ASU School of Life Sciences; and Maclovia Quintana, MS, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

The event takes place Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m. in Life Sciences E 244.

More information here.

New course offering: “Discovering Biodiversity: Field to Database”

November 5, 2015

The School of Life Sciences will offer a new course next spring focused on specimens and specimen-based informatics practices. The new course, "Discovering Biodiversity: Field to Database," is open to both undergraduates and graduates, and will be held at the ASU Natural History Collections biodiversity teaching lab.

The course provides students in ecology, conservation, anthropology, sustainability and museum science the opportunity to advance their understanding of biodiversity discovery methods. It is designed to address the question of how to create and process field- and specimen-based information that “drives our understanding of past, present and future trends in biodiversity.”

Class size is limited. For more information, see the course information flier below or contact Nico Franz, director of the Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center.

Course information: DiscoveringBiodiversity-2016-Flyer

 

PBS Horizon interviews CBO director Leah Gerber Tuesday, November 3

November 5, 2015

LGerber_HorizonLeah Gerber, director of the ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, appeared on Tuesday night’s edition of Horizon on PBS Channel 8 to discuss the work and goals of the center. The center was recently featured in an ASU Now article.

Gerber began the interview by explaining that "the data suggests we are currently experiencing the sixth mass extinction on Earth largely due to…human impacts."

To find out more and hear how the CBO is working with scientists and other organizations to develop a pragmatic approach to extinction, watch the full interview here.

 

Applications for Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program Open Nov. 16

November 4, 2015

2016 DDCSP@UW Flyer

The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at University of Washington (DDCSP@UW) offers 20 freshmen and sophomores the chance to participate in an eight-week immersion course beginning June 2016. The program creates a unique opportunity for students to travel wildlands and rural landscapes in Washington and address urban conservation issues.

Selection criteria include a demonstrated commitment to the environment and to diversity along with curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm. In exchange, students will:

  • Explore conservation of biodiversity across urban, managed and protected environments;
  • Connect biodiversity conservation to cultural heritage and environmental justice;
  • Understand conservation in the context of food systems, water systems, climate systems and ecosystems; and
  • Network with conservation professionals from agencies, NGOs and academic institutions.

The DDCSP covers the cost of travel, food and lodging during the eight-week program, and students receive a stipend of $4,000.

Applications available Nov. 16, 2015.

Learn more about the program at uwconservationscholars.org.

Recruitment information: 2016 DDCSP@UW Flyer.

 

"Inventorying the ark: A pragmatic approach to extinction"

October 28, 2015

Leah Gerber, director of the ASU Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, and Anita Hagy Ferguson, project manager of the center, talked with ASU News about the center’s goals and the challenges facing scientists and researchers in addressing biodiversity issues.

Read the article here.

ASU center takes pragmatic approach to extinction

View Source | October 27, 2015

Frog in waterASU's Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, directed by Senior Sustainability Scientist Leah Gerberwas created a year ago to pragmatically stem the tide of loss in what has been called the Sixth Extinction. Its mission is to make discoveries and create solutions to conserve, where possible, and to manage biodiversity for the long term as the world rapidly changes. In doing so, tough decisions must be made.

“We can’t save everything,” says Anita Hagy Ferguson, program coordinator for the center. “We’re not operating in that la-la land. It’s heartbreaking, but we are operating with real data, with real reality, and you cannot save everything. You have to make choices in what to save and how to save it, so that we can move quickly.”

The center’s research focuses on five areas: biodiversity assessment and decision tools, governance and biodiversity, advancing corporate sustainability, public health and biodiversity, and engagement of underserved youth. To learn more about the center, watch this interview with Gerber on Arizona Horizon.

"2050: Can we get to a sustainable world by then?"

October 22, 2015

Peter Kareiva

Director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (or IoES) at UCLA,

Chair of the The Nature Conservancy Science Cabinet

Peter KareivaWe face severe environmental threats. But stories of human footprints that exceed 1.5 earths, prophecies of the extinction of man, total loss of biodiversity, and planetary boundaries are neither solid scientifically nor effective communication. Similarly fighting symbolic environmental battles, one court case at a time, is just as myopic as corporations can be when they maximize short-term profits. A better way to approach the problem is to ask what world do we want to live in in 2050? And what will it take to get to our desired world?

Prior to his appointment at the University of California-Los Angeles, Peter Kareiva was Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy for a dozen years, Director of the Division of Conservation Biology at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries lab in Seattle for three years, and a Professor of Zoology at the University of Washington for twenty years. Peter began his career as a mathematical biologist who also did fieldwork on plants and insects around the world. His early work focused on ecological theory and he gradually shifted to agriculture, biotechnology, risk assessment, and conservation. He now mixes policy and social science with natural science, and further believes that today’s environmental challenges require a strong dose of the humanities and private sector engagement. Never by himself, but with terrific colleagues and the support of generous philanthropists, he cofounded the Natural Capital ProjectNatureNet Fellows, and Science for Nature and People or SNAP.

He has written or edited nine books and nearly 200 articles, including a conservation biology textbook. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Academy of Science. It all began with education at a Jesuit High School in upstate New York, followed by Duke University, and a PhD from Cornell University in 1981. There were interludes of consulting for engineering firms and for the Food and Agriculture Organization for the United Nations and the United Nations Environmental Programme, and some teaching overseas—always driven by a certain wanderlust.

View PDF of this event

Thursday, October 29, 2015

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Marston Theater, ISTB4

Arizona State university, Tempe, AZ 85281

RSVP


“Resilience or resourcefulness – which makes most sense for the Anthropocene?”

October 22, 2015

Peter Kareiva

Director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (or IoES) at UCLA,

Chair of the The Nature Conservancy Science Cabinet

Peter Kareiva

According to world-renowned conservationist Peter Kareiva, resilient cities, resilient communities, resilient agriculture have become a common environmental meme. But what do the data tell us? In a review of social science studies and ecological measurements following massive environmental depredations suggest a different view.

Before his appointment at UCLA, Kareiva served as Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, Director of the Division of Conservation Biology at the NOAA’s fisheries lab, and a Professor of Zoology at the University of Washington. He began his career as a mathematical biologist who conducted fieldwork on plants and insects around the world. His work has shifted from a focus on ecological theory to agriculture, biotechnology, risk assessment, and conservation. He now mixes policy and social science with natural science, believing that today’s environmental challenges require a strong dose of the humanities and private-sector engagement. Never by himself, but with terrific colleagues and the support of generous philanthropists, he cofounded the Natural Capital ProjectNatureNet Fellows, and Science for Nature and People or SNAP.

Kareiva has written or edited 9 books and nearly 200 articles, He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Academy of Science.

Lunch will be provided.

View PDF of this event

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Wrigley Hall rm 481

Arizona State University, Tempe Campus

RSVP


New global assessment shows cacti fifth most threatened species group

October 21, 2015

A new report published in Nature on a recently completed global species assessment shows cacti are at risk worldwide and the fifth most threatened of any major group assessed to date.

CBO Affiliate Gerrit (Jan) Schipper contributed to the global assessment led by Barbara Goettsch, Co-Chair of the IUCN Cactus and Succulent Plant Specialist Group.

Read more on the findings of this study at ASU News.

CBO is leading efforts to list all cactus species in the Sonoran desert so that an assessment of species in this diverse region can support its conservation.

Compromise may be part of a sustainable solution to whale hunting

View Source | September 18, 2015

Leah and grad student examine a sampleThe past 30 years of the International Whaling Commission’s conversation has been stalled by disagreement on the ethics of killing whales, according to sustainability scientist Leah Gerber. Gerber, who is founding director of ASU’s Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, floated the idea of a compromise with whaling nations in the September issue of scientific journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.

Changing course and allowing Iceland, Japan and Norway to legally hunt under regulations and monitoring might break the current stalemate. Currently, Japan whales under a loophole allowing for scientific research. The other two countries hunt whales commercially in protest of the ban.

“If our common goal is a healthy and sustainable population of whales, let’s find a way to develop strategies that achieve that,” Gerber said. “That may involve agreeing to a small level of take. That would certainly be a reduced take to what’s happening now.”

A Deal with Japan on Whaling?

September 16, 2015

What are the benefits of striking a deal with Japan on Whaling? CBO Director, Leah Gerber featured Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment guest editorial, critiques the leading arguments.

A deal with Japan on whaling? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13: 347–347.

CBO Announces NatureNet Fellowship - Call for Applications

September 16, 2015

CBO has partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to join six other Universities (Cornell, Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania and Yale) that offer the prestigious NatureNet Science Fellows Program.

This program will provide support for early career scientists to conduct research at the interface of science, technology and business in order to achieve biodiversity outcomes. With a gift from TNC, CBO has garnered an institutional match to support this program at the University, College and Unit level. Faculty from contributing units  (OKED, CBO, GIOS, CLAS, SOLS, SOS, SGSUP, SFIS, SMNS, SESE and SHESC)  will be eligible to serve as primary and secondary advisor for the postdoc.

This broad institutional support demonstrates ASU’s commitment to transdisciplinary, use-driven science, science communication and leadership. We join a network of fellows, university scientists, and conservation practitioners to enhance scientific rigor and real world impact of work done across the network.

Call for Abstracts: McDowell Sonoran Preserve Research Symposium

September 16, 2015

McDowell Sonoran Preserve is looking for posters from researchers and students who have conducted or are conducting ecological, social, geological, or historical research relevant to the greater Phoenix preserve or park system to be presented at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Research Symposium, Saturday, October 24th: 8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m (see attached).

The inaugural McDowell Sonoran Preserve Research Symposium will bring together researchers, students, citizens, and community leaders to share and learn about the scientific and historical research that has been conducted within Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve and other Phoenix Area Parks. The purpose is to promote awareness among scientists, students and citizens of the research being undertaken on the Preserve and surrounding Sonoran Desert, encourage networking, and trigger new research and collaborations that benefit the Preserve, parks, and natural spaces within the Greater Phoenix area. CBO Faculty Affiliate Sharon Hall will be presenting a keynote address.

Individuals interested in giving a poster presentation are invited to submit abstracts by Tuesday, September 29, 2015 to mspresearch@mcdowellsonoran.org. Abstracts should follow the Symposium Abstract Guidelines.

White House Announces ASU National STEM Collaborative

September 16, 2015

Congratulations to CBO faculty affiliate and Executive Director of the Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology, Kim Scott!

Today the White House announced CGEST's National STEM Collaborative during their Champions of Change – Young Women Empowering Their Communities program.

CBO is working with CGEST to advance diversity in STEM science with specific attention to diversity in conservation science.

Dr. Jo Handelsman makes the announcement.

IUCN Announces final consultation on Key Biodiversity Areas Standard

September 15, 2015

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites that contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity.

IUCN' s commitment to development of this standard will help policy makers and practitioners your the world in the private and public sectors to implement conservation safeguards at multiple scales, including local communities, regional and state level governments, and international governance and conservation organizations.

CBO Postdoc and affiliate researcher, Penny Langhammer, is the lead author of the IUCN standard for identification of KBAs. Penny is working closely with The Center for Biodiversity Outcomes,  IUCN representatives, the Wildlife Conservation Society and other partners to support implementation of the new standard for KBAs, including development of the standard documentation, methods, and tools to record, predict, and economically value ecosystem services and human well-being benefits delivered by KBAs.

CBO faculty affiliates will collaborate with IUCN on an analysis of transboundary KBAs, which are KBAs with complex governance structures, such as a KBA spanning two countries.

CBO is also working with the IUCN joint Species Survival Commission/World Commission on Protected Areas and the National Marine Fisheries Service to align the Important Marine Mammal Area initiative with the KBA Standard and support pilot KBA identification for marine mammals.

CBO presents panel on Diversity in Conservation Science at ESA 2015

September 10, 2015

CBO Director Leah Gerber and graduate student affiliate Beth Tellman recently organized a panel entitled “Expanding diversity in the next generation of ecology” at the 100th anniversary of the Ecological Society of America conference in Baltimore in August 2015.

Dr. Gerber and Beth, along with Marlene Kaplan (NOAA Deputy Director of Education), Brigitte Griswold (Director of Youth Programs at The Nature Conservancy), Nyeema Harris (Director’s Fellow for World Wildlife Fund International), Maclovia Quintana (Yale School of Forestry), Kevin Coyle, VP of Education and Training (National Wildlife Federation); and Teresa Mourad (Director of Education and Diversity Programs (ESA) prepared a workshop that was attended by a group of more than 30 people, mostly minority students, ranging in age from high school to post doc.

It is impossible to capture in this post the courage, vulnerability, difficulty, and depth of the discussion here, but we hope to continue this conversation with the ESA board, amongst the panelists, and in a published commentary piece with student attendees as lead authors. We are excited to take these lessons back to CBO at ASU as well, and reflect on what we heard to better address the lack of human diversity within our field, the implications this has for biodiversity outcomes, and redefining how CBO can contribute to diversity by partnering with conservation organization in the US as well as actors across our own campus.

USFWS Conservation Career Symposium

September 8, 2015

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will host an information session for undergraduate and graduate college students interested in public service careers. This session will focus on students interested in careers in natural resource management, biological sciences, and environmental education with the FWS. Participants will:

-Network with FWS leadership and learn about the rewards and benefits of working in a federal agency and with the FWS.

-Discuss future wildlife conservation challenges that their generation must address in the coming decades.

-Learn about the requirements for biological science, visitor services and natural resource careers available at FWS.

-Learn about key FWS conservation internships and career employment opportunities on the Web, including YouthGo.gov and USAJobs.gov.

-Receive training and information on writing resumes and interviewing for jobs with the FWS and other Federal conservation agencies

Application requirements and detailed description can be found in the attached documents.

Deadline to apply is September 11.

Conservation Career Symposium

Sept. 23-26: U S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

CBO and Partners Initiate Development of Biodiversity Risk Assessment tool

August 4, 2015

CBO and a team of partners assembled this summer at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) in Santa Barbara to discuss biodiversity and water conservation in business.

Partners representing The Earth Genome, The Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability joined forces with CBO to initiate development of a decision-support tool that will help corporations assess risks to the public, the environment, and their business associated with their water use. The team plans to bring together a wide variety of biodiversity data to help corporations actively consider biodiversity in their activities.

CBO brings team member Peter Kareiva, former Chief Scientist of The Nature Conservancy and new Director of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability to ASU this fall (October 28-29)  for a stimulating two day series of events engaging new ways to approach biodiversity conservation.

CBO -Biodiversity Risk Assessment team

From left to right, the photo is Glen Low (EG), Sarah Geren (CBO), Peter Kareiva (seated; TNC/UCLA-IOES) Rebecca Shaw (EDF), Leah Gerber (CBO), Steve McCormick (EG), Beth Tellman (CBO), and John Sabo (CBO).