Amphibian Declines & Chytridiomycosis: Translating Science into Urgent Action
5-7 November 2007 Tempe, Arizona, USA SAVE THE DATE! PLAN TO ATTEND! Amphibians are the most threatened group of animals worldwide. Since 1970, scientists have observed precipitous population declines and outright disappearances of numerous amphibian species. Many of these die-offs have been attributed to a newly-recognized fungal disease known as chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd). Bd is the worst infectious disease ever recorded among wildlife in terms of the number of species impacted and the severity of the impact. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) is pleased to announce an international, cutting-edge conference to: REVIEW WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT Bd ASSESS SCIENTIFIC PRIORITIES AND MANAGEMENT NEEDS IDENTIFY ACTIONS TO LIMIT THE SPREAD AND IMPACT The time to act is now! Who should attend? Anyone who cares about amphibians. We especially welcome participation from scientists; fish and wildlife managers; policy makers; veterinarians and others working in the field of conservation medicine; as well as representatives from the bait, biological supply, frog farming, and pet industries; zoos and aquaria; non-governmental organizations; and foundations and other funding agencies. Format: The meeting will be comprised of presentations by many of the worlds experts on Bd, case studies of Bd detection and management, interactive panel discussions and working groups resulting in action plans, and a poster session. We anticipate and encourage proactive, out-of-the-box, results-oriented thinking. Website: http://www.parcplace.org/Bd_conference.html Call for Posters: The oral presentations will be provided by invited speakers and consist of review papers on selected themes. A complementary poster session will be held for specific research and management (including education and policy) studies/projects. We invite you to display a poster reflecting your original work. Contact Dr. Deanna Olson ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) for information regarding poster submission. The Poster Session will be held the evening of 5 November, at the conference hotel. Registration: Contact Tala Woodward ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) to be placed on the mailing list for further information as it becomes available. See also the conference website for updates. Sponsorship: Current sponsors include the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Phoenix Zoo, the US Geological Surveys Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (USGS ARMI), the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), Conservation International, the Houston Zoo, and the Herpetologists League. To become a sponsor, please contact Priya Nanjappa Mitchell, PARC National State Agencies Coordinator, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Jamie K. Reaser, PhD President Ecos Systems Institute c/o Ravens Ridge Farm 1207 Bull Yearling Road Stanardsville, VA 22973 1-434-990-9494 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.ecos-systems.org
