Re: [ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for Environmental Listservs?

[Katharine Leigh]

Hi John,

I would also LOVE to also know of any ideas sent your way!  Please share!

For women in D.C., dcecowomen is good. GreenDrinks is international and has
location-based chapters.  And Global Marine Community is pretty hard to
beat for ocean things.

Best
Kat

Katharine L. Leigh
My Linkedin 

On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 9:39 AM, John A.  wrote:

> I would appreciate recommendations for lists which may have some
> overlap with Ecolog-L, but which are more focused on environmental action
> in local communities.
>
> In particular I’m looking for lists where members can advise each
> other on the practical details of small-scale conservation, including
> citizen outreach and the best ways to engage local legislators.  I would be
> especially interested in regional lists focusing on the Mid-Atlantic, but
> I’d be glad to hear about lists in any region that share experience and
> advice on successful (and unsuccessful) conservation action.
>
> Please send any suggestions to me off-list, with my thanks in advance,
> and I’ll post a compilation if I receive enough replies.
>
>
>  - J. A.
>

[ECOLOG-L] Acorn Woodpecker Field Assistant Position (Urgent, Start Date: September 1st – September 15th 2017)

[Sahas Barve]

Acorn Woodpecker Field Assistant Position
 
Employer: Walters Lab, Old Dominion University
 
Location: Carmel Valley, California
 
Description: A field assistant is urgently needed to replace an assistant who 
plans to 
discontinue the job due to an unforeseen personal circumstance. The assistant 
will work for 
the ongoing long-term study of the behavioral ecology of the cooperatively 
breeding Acorn 
Woodpecker at the Hastings Reserve in upper Carmel Valley, California. We have 
studied the 
behavioral ecology of color-banded Acorn Woodpeckers for nearly 50 years at 
this site, 
making this one of the longest running vertebrate studies in the world. The 
research focuses 
on both ecological and evolutionary factors involved in the evolution of 
cooperative breeding, 
and includes using automated radio-telemetry techniques to track cryptic 
movement.
Assistants will participate in monitoring group composition via color-band 
resighting, 
documenting feeding (for any nests) and roosting behavior, and assist in 
woodpecker capture 
and experimental manipulations. Some portions of field work may require the 
ability to drive an 
off-road vehicle or truck. The experience is designed to be one of total 
immersion, six days 
per week, and provides the necessary training needed for those interested in 
applying to 
graduate school.
 
Compensation: $600/month and on-site shared housing.
 
Duration: 1st September 2017 to 01 April 2018.

Qualifications: This job requires frequent strenuous physical activity; 
applicants must be avid 
hikers who are comfortable hiking up and down hills with equipment such as 
spotting scopes 
and blinds. Prior experience with birds (especially the ability to read color 
bands) is desirable 
but not required. Self-motivation, enthusiasm for the research questions, a 
willingness to sit in 
a blind for up to 3 hours per session (in hot weather with lots of annoying 
face flies), and an 
ability to tackle the rigors of field work are a must. We especially encourage 
those applicants 
that plan to attend graduate school in the near future and who are interested 
in conducting an 
independent study during their tenure at Hastings. The reserve is remote (about 
an hour from 
the nearest town), and therefore a good attitude towards shared field housing 
situations is 
necessary, and having a vehicle is highly desirable.

Interested applicants should submit a CV with an appropriate cover letter and 
the 
names/affiliations of three academic references to sahasba...@gmail.com. More 
information 
on the project can be found at www.ericlwalters.org

PLEASE NOTE: Field assistant positions are only available to citizens or 
permanent residents 
of the United States or its possessions. No exceptions can be made.

Contact: Sahas Barve, sahasba...@gmail.com  

[ECOLOG-L] Two funded PhD positions at James Cook University, Townsville

[Ben Hirsch]

Project 1: Using robotic predator models to understand anti-predator behaviors.

In contrast to sheep and goats, cattle have anti-predator defense behaviors
that regularly dissuade wild dog attacks. Some adult cattle develop very
nasty dispositions towards dogs (i.e. cows try and kill them) and adult cows
with neonates often form crèches that cooperatively protect vulnerable
calves from predators. This study proposes to investigate these
anti-predator behaviors in cattle in a series of field experiments:
1. Documenting anti-predator behaviors elicited by a robot wild dog in
various classes of cattle. 
2. Investigating whether the cows that form crèches are closely related
which might explain their maternal attitude towards each others calves. 
3. Evaluating the impact of weaner management practices and the use working
dogs on subsequent antipredator behavior.
These experiments seek to understand how anti-predator behaviors develop,
whether they are learned from experienced adult associates and passed on to
subsequent generations, and whether cattle husbandry practices facilitate
predation loss that could otherwise be avoided. These investigations will
improve our understanding of the natural defense behaviors in cattle, and
how husbandry might influence predation risk. Field work will be conducted
in Northern Queensland on private properties and cattle research stations.
Experience in dry tropics habitats and cattle stations is a plus. Experience
with remote controlled cars and a drone flight license would be helpful.

Project 2: Feral cat ecology and behavior in the wet tropics.
I am seeking a highly motivated PhD student to study the ecology of feral
cats in the Wet Tropics bioregion. The goal of this project is to determine
the abundance and distribution of feral cats in the Queensland wet tropics
region, and understand the ecological role of feral cats in relation to
native prey species and introduced predators (dingoes). The main project
will involve extensive camera trapping in the Townsville/Cairns region, and
will also include using GPS collars on feral cats to better understand their
behavior and movement ecology. The scale of the project is somewhat large,
and students will be encouraged to focus on a particular part of the project
as well as develop their own studies within the larger project umbrella.
Previous field work experience is required, and advanced analytical skills
(computer programing, GIS, advanced stats experience) may be helpful.
Project/research support will be provided, but students are expected to
apply for an APA (Australian Postgraduate Award) or other similar scholarship. 

All interested students should contact Ben Hirsch ben.hir...@jcu.edu.au
before September 31st.

[ECOLOG-L] Director of Trout Lake Station, Center for Limnology, UW-Madison

[Kelly O'Ferrell]

Director of Trout Lake Station, Center for Limnology, University of
Wisconsin-Madison

The Center for Limnology, UW-Madison invites applications for a Director
whose responsibility would be to direct Trout Lake Station (TLS). We seek an
outstanding scientist with a track record of publication and extramural
funding and an internationally-recognized research program in any area of
freshwater science, including but not exclusive to limnology, aquatic
ecology, fisheries, stream ecology, aquatic biogeochemistry, or global
change biology. We also seek a candidate with administrative leadership who
can build community partnerships, and shape and implement a compelling
vision for the future of the station.  A full description of the position
can be found on the Center for Limnology website:
https://limnology.wisc.edu/employment/director-of-trout-lake-station-vacancy/

Trout Lake Station is a year-round field station situated on 72 acres of
mixed forest on the shores of Trout Lake near Boulder Junction, Vilas
County, in Wisconsin’s northern highlands lake district. It provides access
to a diversity of aquatic systems, with more than 2,500 lakes within 50 km.
Facilities include a 10,000 sq. ft. laboratory with meeting rooms, library,
computing facilities, storage, research boats and sampling equipment, and 10
cabins capable of housing 48. The director is expected to be based at the
station year-round and resides off station. The station is part of the
Center for Limnology (http://limnology.wisc.edu/) at UW–Madison and offers
diverse collaborative opportunities (www.water.wisc.edu), including
involvement with the North Temperate Lakes Long Term Ecological Research
program (https://lter.limnology.wisc.edu/).

Duties and Responsibilities:
Research activities 40%
The candidate will serve as Principal Investigator (PI) and is expected to
build an externally-funded research program in the aquatic sciences based at
the station. The candidate will be expected to publish peer-review
publications, supervise research staff, engage in professional activities,
and interact with students, postdocs, and faculty colleagues at UW-Madison
and beyond.

Oversight of TLS 35%
The candidate will oversee TLS activities and expenditures, including
deployment of TLS resources, construction and maintenance of buildings,
supervision of employees and students, and creation of a positive and
inclusive environment at TLS. The candidate will also be expected to promote
use of TLS by a broad base of faculty and institutions, and provide
leadership in new initiatives aimed at expanding the research, teaching, and
outreach mission of TLS and UW-Madison.

Community outreach and engagement 25%
The candidate will interact with the public on science-related matters, host
events at TLS, build community partnerships, and engage with resource
professionals, the media, local communities, lake users and civic leaders.
The candidate will also be expected to build and maintain connections with
UW alumni, donors, and supporters.   

Qualifications:
-PhD required. Preferably in limnology, aquatic sciences or related discipline.
-Minimum of 5 years of experience in a research setting.
-Strong record of research, peer-review publication, and extramural research
funding.
-Experience or potential for excellence in administration and program building.
-Experience with outreach, community engagement, and communicating with
diverse audiences.
-Leadership in fostering a collaborative environment, and commitment to
equity and diversity.

Your application must be received through Jobs at UW
(http://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/cw/en-us/job/495704/trout-lake-station-director) 
portal to be considered as a candidate. Please click on the "Apply Now"
button to begin the application process. To apply for this position you must
submit ONE document in pdf (preferred) or word format that contains the
following information: 1. Cover letter (your cover letter should address
your qualifications as they pertain to the minimum number of years and type
of relevant work experience listed). 2. Complete CV 3. Contact information
for three references (References will not be contacted without advanced
notice) 4. Research statement (approximately 1000 words)  5. Vision
statement for TLS, including a statement on diversity (approximately 500
words.) Review of applications will begin October 12, 2017, with a target
start date in 2018. Further questions can be directed to Professor Jake
Vander Zanden at mjvanderz...@wisc.edu. 

The University of Wisconsin is an EOE/AA Employer.

[ECOLOG-L] seeking PhD lab suggestions (bee biology)

[Beck, James]

A strong undergraduate student working with me on a plant phylogenomics project 
is applying to PhD labs (starting fall 2018) and she's looking for lab 
recommendations.  She's interested in honey bee evolution/ecology, including 
colony collapse disorder and interactions with pests/pathogens/pesticides 
generally.

This is out of my area of expertise, so please let me know of any recommended 
labs that are working on honey bee (or even native bee) questions, particularly 
those that are seeking graduate students.  You can send suggestions to me at 
the address below.

Thanks!!
James

James Beck
Department of Biological Sciences
Wichita State University
james.b...@wichita.edu
www.becklaboratory.com/James

[ECOLOG-L] Recommendations for Environmental Listservs?

[John A.]

I would appreciate recommendations for lists which may have some overlap 
with Ecolog-L, but which are more focused on environmental action in local 
communities.

In particular I’m looking for lists where members can advise each other on 
the practical details of small-scale conservation, including citizen outreach 
and the best ways to engage local legislators.  I would be especially 
interested in regional lists focusing on the Mid-Atlantic, but I’d be glad to 
hear about lists in any region that share experience and advice on successful 
(and unsuccessful) conservation action.

Please send any suggestions to me off-list, with my thanks in advance, and 
I’ll post a compilation if I receive enough replies.


   - J. A.

[ECOLOG-L] Graduate student positions available

[Blaine Griffen]

The Blaine Griffen lab (formerly at the University of South Carolina) is 
in the process of moving to Brigham Young University and is seeking 
motivated graduate students at either the PhD or MS level to begin Fall 
2018.  Interested applicants should contact me directly at 
blainegrif...@gmail.com to discuss potential research projects and to 
determine whether my lab is a good fit for them.

A bit about work in our lab
Our lab studies the response of organisms to environmental changes 
brought about by humans (climate change, invasive species, habitat 
destruction, etc.).  We generally take a bottom up mechanistic approach, 
determining how morphology, behavior, and physiology facilitate or 
constrain the responses of individual animals to environmental change, 
and how these individual level responses then scale up to establish 
patterns and processes at the population and community levels.  We do 
this by employing a wide range of ecological tools, including field and 
laboratory experiments, physiological measurements, and simulation and 
mathematical modeling.  Our work has been implemented across a wide 
range of systems, including coastal marine invertebrates (primarily 
crabs and burrowing shrimp), freshwater zooplankton, and polar bears.

A bit about the Biology Department at Brigham Young University
Housed in a new, state of the art building, the biology department 
(http://biology.byu.edu) comprises a large and dynamic faculty spanning 
a diverse array of collaborative research areas including Ecology, 
Evolutionary Ecology, Molecular Systematics, Bioinformatics, 
Conservation Biology, and Biological Science Education. The focus both 
within my lab and within the department as a whole is on integrating 
modeling, theory, and experimentation.

Exceptional facilities and resources for carrying out research are 
available through the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum 
(http://mlbean.byu.edu), Lytle Ranch Preserve 
http://mlbean.byu.edu/lytle), the DNA Sequencing Center 
(http://dnasc.byu.edu), the Research Instrumentation Core Facility 
(http://ricfacility.byu.edu), the Microscopy Lab 
(http://microscopy.byu.edu) and the Fulton Supercomputing Lab 
(https://marylou.byu.edu).  In addition to these facilities, students in 
my lab group may choose to take advantage of our ongoing collaborations 
in order to conduct research at field lab facilities in New England, in 
the southeast (South Carolina, Florida), or in the Pacific northwest.

BYU is located in Provo, Utah, where opportunities for world-class 
skiing, fly-fishing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and many other 
outdoor recreational activities are less than 20 minutes from the lab. 
Salt Lake City is only 45 minutes travel by car or commuter rail.

The application deadline for Fall 2018 admission is January 15, 2018 
(https://gradstudies.byu.edu/).


Blaine Griffen
Email: blainegrif...@gmail.com

[ECOLOG-L] Metroparks of Toledo searching for historical photos

[Scott Abella]

The Metroparks of the Toledo Area (Ohio, United States) is searching for
historical photos of northwestern Ohio vegetation and natural features to
assist them in understanding change and management planning.  Further
details are provided at the Metroparks link below; if anyone has or knows of
historical photos useful for these purposes, this information would be
appreciated. 
https://metroparkstoledo.com/discover/blog/posts/your-old-photos-can-help-restore-natural-areas/

[ECOLOG-L] Second Annual Environmental DNA Technical Exchange Workshop (Virtual) -- DATE CHANGE!

[Lance, Richard F ERDC-RDE-EL-MS CIV]

DATE CHANGE!
Due to major scheduling conflicts the Second Annual Environmental DNA Technical 
Exchange Workshop is now RESCHEDULED for 9-10 January 2018
(no longer to be held on 24-25 Aug 2017)

Second Annual Environmental DNA Technical Exchange Workshop (Virtual)

9-10 January 2018

Sponsored by the Government eDNA Working Group
Venue: On-line webinars and web discussion groups

Purpose
Last year the inaugural Environmental DNA Training and Technical Exchange 
Workshop was held in Denver, CO, USA and met with terrific success. The 
organizers of the workshop and many of the 2016 participants decided to 
experiment with a virtual workshop for 2017, to be followed by another "live" 
workshop in 2018.

This technical exchange workshop focuses on the use of aquatic environmental 
DNA (eDNA) for the surveying and monitoring of macrofauna and wetland and 
aquatic macrofaunal communities. In particular, the workshop seeks to provide 
an opportunity for practitioners to come together to discuss new developments 
or challenges with the “nuts and bolts” of eDNA applications and to learn from 
each other. As of now, the workshop is intended have a “highly applied” flavor 
and, at least for primary presentation slots, is not intended to be a forum for 
describing basic research, early-stage technical advances, new theoretical 
developments, or mere descriptions of past and on-going eDNA monitoring 
projects. A virtual poster/blitz presentation session will be provided that is 
more appropriate for these types of information.

Also, for now, the core audience is expected to be comprised of individuals 
that are part of government eDNA surveys and monitoring programs, whether 
members of government agencies or private contractors/academicians working for 
or directly supporting government eDNA programs. Government agencies could 
include, among others, federal, provincial, state, county, or municipal 
organizations.

There is NO COST to register for the workshop. If you would like to attend, 
please e-mail your name, contact information, and affiliation, along with a 
1-sentence description of your eDNA work or duties (e.g., “I lead the State of 
Maine’s new eDNA program”) to:

Richard Lance at 
richard.f.la...@usace.army.mil
Please cc Denise Lindsay at 
denise.l.lind...@usace.army.mil

Please submit your registration request no later than 8 January 2018 (earlier 
if you would like to give a presentation; see below). Registration numbers will 
be important in order to verify that available webcast and teleconference 
capabilities are adequate for the workshop. Please register even if you will 
only be able to join part of the workshop.

PRESENTERS: If you would like to speak during one of the sessions (see below), 
please include, at least initially, a draft title in your registration e-mail 
to Dr. Lance and Ms. Lindsay, WHICH MUST BE RECEIVED BY 10 November 2017. The 
workshop organizing committee will review proposed presentations and select 
those that best fit the workshop aims. The workshop organizing committee 
retains the right to accept or reject any proposed presentation.

Full abstracts for selected presentations will be due by 08 December 2017. The 
abstract should include a title, authorship, and affiliations, with a main text 
that is between 100 and 500 words in length.

We will attempt to host a “virtual poster” session or blitz presentation 
session, which will be comprised of no more than three slides and a maximum of 
five minutes to present materials, followed by at least five minutes for 
questions from the audience (total time slot to not exceed 10 minutes). Slides 
will be provided to all registered attendees for viewing prior to the start of 
the workshop. If you’d like to present in the virtual poster session, please 
note that desire in your registration e-mail and provide a draft title. Slides 
must be submitted to the conference organizers no later than 29 December 2017, 
so that they can be distributed in advance of the workshop. As above, please 
provide a draft title in your registration e-mail to Dr. Lance and Ms. Lindsay 
BY 10 November 2017.

All presenters will be required to make themselves available for a webcast 
equipment/service check 5-7 days prior to the workshop.

PLEASE pass the word to any potentially interested parties!
*

Preliminary Program Session Topics and Other Agenda Items (Updates will be 
provided as available prior to workshop)

09 Jan 2018
Platform Talk 1: Katy Klymus, USGS, Determining and reporting limits of 
detection and
other critical eDNA assay parameters (or was this Katy? tentative title)
Session 1: eDNA Survey Design and Execution
Session 2: eDNA Sample Collection and DNA Isolation
Session 3: eDNA Marker Design, Testing, and Quality Metrics
Session 4: Managing, Interpreting and Using eDNA Data
Group Discussion 1 

[ECOLOG-L] Second Call: Training Course - An Introduction To Using GIS In Biological Research, 25 -26 September 2017

[Colin D. MacLeod]

GIS In Ecology will be holding an introductory training course for those who 
wish to learn how to use GIS in biological research, and it will provide an 
introduction to using GIS in a wide variety of biological research situations 
ranging from the basics of making maps through to studying the spread of 
diseases and creating maps of species biodiversity. It will consist of a series 
of background sessions on using GIS mixed in with practical sessions where you 
will work directly with GIS software to complete various tasks which biological 
researchers commonly need to be able to do.

The course will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 25th and 26th of September 
2017, and it will be taught by Dr Colin D. MacLeod, who has more than 15 years 
experience in using GIS for a wide variety of biological purposes. For those 
who cannot attend this course in person, a shorter online course based on the 
same materials is available from our sister site www.GISforBiologists.com.

The course will primarily be based around QGIS (also known as Quantum GIS), 
which provides a user-friendly, open-source, free alternative to commercial GIS 
software packages, and it is becoming increasingly widely used in both academic 
and commercial organisations  As a result, it is aimed at both those with no 
GIS experience, but wish to learn how to do GIS with QGIS, and also those who 
are familiar with using commercial GIS software, such as ArcGIS, but who wish 
to learn how to use QGIS as an alternative. However, this course is taught 
using software-independent approach, and it is also open to those who wish to 
learn how to use ArcGIS to do biological GIS.

The practical exercises on this course will be based on those in the recently 
published GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates  by 
Dr MacLeod, and a free copy of this book will be provided to all participants.

Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 15 people, and the course will cost 
£295 per person (£200 for students, the unwaged and those working for 
registered charities). To book a place, or for more information, email 
i...@gisinecology.com.

Glasgow has great transport links and is within half a days travel by car or by 
fast train links from most cities in the UK. For example, it can be reached in 
as little as 4h 30mins from London by train. It can also be reached by direct 
flights from many European cities and the flight time is generally under four 
hours.

The course will be held in central Glasgow at the IET Glasgow Teacher Building 
(14 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4DB, UK).

Attendees will be responsible for their own accommodation. However, Glasgow 
provides a wide range of accommodation options to fit most budgets.


==
GIS IN ECOLOGY - Providing Training, Advice And Consultancy On The Use Of GIS 
In Ecology

Web: www.GISinEcology.com Email: i...@gisinecology.com

Need to ask a question about using GIS? Try the GIS In Ecology Forum: 
www.GISinEcology.com/GIS_in_Ecology_forum.htm

Books From GIS In Ecology Staff:

GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction For Undergraduates; RRP: £24.99
An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology; RRP: £44.99
An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook One - 
Creating Maps Of Species Distribution; RRP: £19:99

If you wish to purchase these books, visit: 
http://www.gisinecology.com/Book_Shop.htm

To help the environment, please do not print out this email unless it is 
unavoidable.
==

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus