Previous conference - Workshop outlines
There were nine workshops on Tuesday 25 March at 14.00 to 15.30 and after the Poster Session at 18.45 to 20.15 on Wednesday 26 March. Some workshops were offered in one of these sessions and some in both, depending on availability and demand.
Workshop A: Practical Conservation Genetics
Workshop B: Planning a conservation research programme
Workshop C: Use of evidence-based conservation
Workshop D: Raising funds and generating publicity for your conservation project
Workshop E: An introduction to systematic conservation planning
Workshop F: How to write a scientific paper, or How to avoid Snoopy's problem...
Workshop G: So ... you want a job in conservation
Workshop H: Social science tools for conservation: What are permits, payments and public goods?
Workshop I: Using the World Wide Web in conservation
Workshop A: Practical Conservation Genetics
Bill AmosDepartment of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
The role of genetics in conservation is often misunderstood. Some seem to believe genetic analysis is close to magic, while others take the view that gathering genetic data is an expensive waste of effort. Equally, some see genetics as playing a central role in dictating the health of a population, while others feel it is less important. This workshop aims to give an overview as to what can and cannot be done using current methods. It will also explore some of the key areas of misunderstanding. Although the primary presentation will be in the form of a lecture, I hope people will bring along their own questions that can be discussed in an open forum.
Workshop B: Planning a conservation research programme
William J. SutherlandConservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
Some conservation research programmes are unsuccessful due to unpredictable circumstances such as illness, unusual weather or unforseeable political problems. Many others could never be successful as they were poorly planned. A small amount of sensible planning can make considerable differences. In this workshop we will use a series of exercises to demonstrate a process called reverse planning.
Workshop C: Use of evidence-based conservation
William J. SutherlandConservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
Evidence-based conservation provides a mean of evaluating, reviewing and disseminating global information to improve conservation practice. In this workshop we will describe the principles of evidence-based conservation, how it can be used to improve practice and how you can participate.
Workshop D: Raising funds and generating publicity for your conservation project
David Aldridge
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Dr Rosie Trevelyan
Tropical Biology Association, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
Getting money for your project can be a matter of being in the right place at the right time. This workshop assumes you are not. Why is it that everyone you meet seems to have a grant and you do not? I will outline how to write a grant proposal, giving examples of good practice and bad practice and some tips on what referees like and dislike. We will also look at fund-raising strategies. Finally, we will put theory into practice by trying out some of the techniques introduced to-day.
Workshop E: An introduction to systematic conservation planning
Bob Smith
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
Systematic conservation planning is the most effective way to design protected area systems and other conservation networks, and these techniques are used by a large number of national conservation agencies and international NGOs. This approach is also a successful example of the inter-disciplinary nature of conservation science and provides important opportunities for further research.
This workshop will start with a brief introduction to the subject, and will be followed by a group exercise that illustrates some of the important issues in conservation planning. The exercise is based on a case study, and participants will investigate how to produce a cost-effective planning system that is both useful and scientifically defensible.
Workshop F:How to write a scientific paper, or How to avoid Snoopy's problem.
Dr Martin Fisher
Editor of Oryx,
Fauna &smp; Flora International, Cambridge
Would you like this to be you? Are you determined that your first scientific paper will be rejected (so many are!)? Attend this workshop to find out how to ensure that this happens... or perhaps even how to avoid it. Common pitfalls, glaringly obvious errors, verbosity - all these and more easy strategies to ensure that you receive your first rejection slip will be covered in painful detail...It's the final year of your PhD, you've finally gathered some data, and you are going to be famous... well, at least you plan to write your first scientific paper... Do yourself a favour, do the Editor a favour, attend this workshop!
Workshop G: So ... you want a job in conservation
Daniel Brito, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International
Marianne Carter, Conservation Leadership Programme, BirdLife Internartional
Paul Herbertson, Conservation Leadership Programme, Fauna & Flora International
This interactive workshop aims to open your eyes to the diversity of conservation-related employment opportunities. Particular emphasis will be put on how to make your own opportunities - where to look, how to get a foot in the door, and how to gain that all-important experience.
Workshop H:Social science tools for conservation: What are permits, payments and public goods?
Brendan Fisher
Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, University of East Anglia, UK
In a world of global environmental change we are faced with several interrelated challenges for ecological sustainability. Increasingly it is recognized that these challenges are not going to be solved by conservation and natural scientists alone, but rather by coordination amongst natural scientists, social scientists and political institutions with input provided by all concerned stakeholders.
In this workshop we will look at the nature of ecosystem services as public goods (e.g biodiversity, carbon sequestration, maintenance of natural stocks) and how this characteristic affects their distribution and allocation. We will examine market and political mechanisms for conservation, such as payments for ecosystem services (PES), tradable permits and international treaties. We will play a few economic games to more clearly demonstrate conservation coordination problems, free-riding, and the pitfalls in governing public goods. In this workshop you will learn how to think about managing and organizing a conservation agenda in light of the problems affecting the provision of public goods.
Workshop I: Using the World Wide Web in conservation
Jonathan Baillie
Zoological Society of London, UK
The internet has changed our lives from the way we access news to booking flights to socialising. It has also had a major impact on the private sector and is being used extremely effectively to generate revenue and for marketing. However, the conservation community appears to be slightly behind in harnessing the power of this powerful tool. This workshop will explore how the conservation community is currently using the internet and identify opportunities for the future.
