A reminder of approaching target date for proposals (1 Feb): RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HURON MOUNTAINS, MICHIGAN
The Huron Mt. Wildlife Foundation invites proposals for field research at a natural area of approximately 10,000 ha in northern Marquette Co., Michigan. The Huron Mountains region encompasses an unusual diversity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and an array of unusual geological features. Because of the areas remoteness and isolation, substantial tracts remain undeveloped. The research area includes Lake Superior shoreline, sandy beach ridge complexes, granitic knobs and domes up to 300 m above Lake Superior, and a variety of glacially shaped terrains. Upland ecosystems include several thousand ha of old-growth forest, ranging from wetland forests, to hemlock-northern hardwood forests, to pine and oak stands on drier sites. Diverse and unusually pristine aquatic systems include wetlands, large and small inland lakes (some over 80 m deep) and ponds, and a variety of streams. The Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation (HMWF) promotes field-based, natural-science research in this region generally. Researcher access to the primary research area is exclusively under the auspices of HMWF. The area is very secure, and particularly amenable to long-term ecological studies. Much of the area has been under continuous, private conservation management for over 100 years. Ecosystems remain unusually free of direct, human impact, and long-term records provide baseline data for many taxa and systems. More intensively managed ecosystems within and outside the research area provide opportunities for comparative studies. Current management is minimally intrusive and emphasizes maintenance of natural-area status. Access is strictly regulated, providing security for investigators' study sites and equipment. HMWF provides comfortable accommodations and work areas for approved researchers, as space permits, at the Ives Lake field station. Modest research funding is available from the Foundation for a limited number of projects each year. Highest funding priority will be given to projects that hold promise of generating further funding from other sources for longer-term research. Proposals from scientists with independent funding are encouraged. Investigators interested in conducting research in the Huron Mountains should submit a project proposal. See the Foundations website (www.hmwf.org), and contact the Director of Research for more specific guidelines on appropriate research and proposal preparation and submission. Research proposals are accepted at any time, but HMWF funding is generally available for a given year only if proposals are received by 1 February. Proposals received by the same target date will also have first priority for housing and use of research facilities. Kerry D. Woods, Director of Research Natural Sciences Bennington College Bennington VT 05201 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or: [EMAIL PROTECTED] When sending emails, please include "HMWF" in the subject line. -- Kerry D. Woods Natural Sciences Bennington College Bennington VT 05201 [EMAIL PROTECTED] faculty.bennington.edu/~kwoods
