The Oceanic Resource Foundation: Underwater Photography / Marine Conservation

February 15, 1998

18th International Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation

This symposium will be held in Mazatlan, Mexico from March 3 - 7, 1998. Information about the conference may be obtained from Jane Provancha, Symposium Secretary, by calling 407-488-0370 or FAX 407-853-2939 or email to Jane.Provancha-1@kmail.ksc.nasa.gov. Information is also available on the symposium website at http://ola.icmyl.unam.mx/tortugas.

Wild On Wetlands Festival

The Wild On Wetlands Festival will be held in Los Banos, California from March 13 through March 15, 1998. This area encompasses 160,000 acres and is the largest wetland in California. This California Central Valley area is recognized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network as an area of international importance, providing a vital migratory winter habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. There are 47 sensitive or endangered species of plants and animals in the wetlands, including the Aleutian Canadian goose, the peregrine falcon and the American bald eagle.

There will be three day of guided tours with millions of birds representing 260 species, plus speakers, workshops, demonstrations, musical entertainment, and "loads of children's activities." This festival will offer an opportunity to learn about the importance of wetlands to the global ecosystem through first hand experience and plain old-fashioned fun. Cost for the entire weekend is $10.00; children under 16 are free. Cheryl Buettner is coordinator for the event and may be contacted at 209-826-5188 or 209-827-9787. Additional information may be obtained from the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce by calling 800-336-6354.

Western Marine Conference

The Western Marine Conference, hosted by the Puget Sound Aquarium Society, will be Held in Seattle, Washington from April 3 through April 5, 1998. Information may be obtained by calling 888-751-9621. Visit the WMC 98 website at http://www.pnweb.com/psas/wmc98.

Society of Wetlands Scientists (SWS) Annual Conference-Alaska

The annual meeting of the Society of Wetlands Scientists will be held in Anchorage, Alaska from June 8 through June 12, 1998. The theme of this year's meeting is From the Tundra to the Sea. Exhibits and workshops will be at the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage.

Workshops will include Proper Functioning Condition presented by members of the Interagency National Riparian Service Team from Prineville Oregon, Tundra Rehabilitation, Willow Identification and Ecology presented by Dr. Alma Winward, Regional Ecologist for the Intermountain Region of the Forest Service, Grant Writing will be presented by Cindy Adams of the Alaska Funding Exchange, and Alaska Wildlife and Wetlands.

Field trips are also being scheduled. If you are prepared for driving rain, cold winds, pesky insects and walks in soggy places, register for one of the following trips. The field trips are planned regardless of the weather. Contact Terry Brock via email at tbrock@ptialaska.net. The Society of Wetlands Scientists' website is at http://www.sws.org/.

Anchorage Bowl Wetland Tour
Having given way to community development expansion since the 1920s, Anchorage still contains pockets of viable wetlands. This tour is designed to provide an overview of local wetland types, including natural history, permitting issues and design constraints, mitigation sites and current challenges and pressures.
Matanuska - Susitna Valley Soils and Wetlands
Two large glacier-fed rivers, the Matanuska and the Knik, flow from the east and empty into tidal water at the head of Knik Arm. The braided flood plain of the Matanuska River, fed by the Matanuska Glacier, flows through a narrow valley and ascends onto broad level alluvial terraces. These terraces extend to rolling hilly glacial moraines and outwash plains. Bogs, fens, lakes, small streams, permafrost, forested wetlands and alpine wetlands are featured. The field tour will begin with a slide presentation by NRCS Soil Scientists.
Turnagain Arm Coastal Wetlands
Turnagain Arm has one of the highest tidal ranges on earth (42 feet). This trip will include visits to the extensive coastal wetlands along Turnagain Arm, ending with a Portage Glacier Boat trip.
Arctic Coastal Plain
The immense Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska provides the majority of North America's oil and is the largest source of revenue for the State of Alaska. This field tour will include a charter jet from Anchorage to Deadhorse (just south of Prudhoe Bay), a fly over the Arctic Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and a ground tour via bus.
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula lies on the east side of Cook Inlet. The Kenai River, which drains a large 2,150 square mile watershed, is one of the most productive spawning and rearing habitats in the world with all five species of salmon, as well as, resident trout and other nongame species present. Attendees will visit hydrogeomorphic (HGM) reference sites within the reference domain and discuss the basis of the model presently under development. This model is intended to be used to address concerns such as stream bank development, erosion control efforts and watershed impacts associated with intensive recreation pressures.

Fourth International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-4)

This conference will be held in Interlaken, Switzerland from August 30 - September 2, 1998. Information may be obtained from Dr. Baldur Eliasson, Head of Energy and Global Change, ABB Corporate Research Ltd., Baden-Dattwil, Switzerland. Phone +41-56-486 80 31; FAX +41-56-493 45 69; email to baldur.eliasson@chcrc.abb.ch.

Eleventh World Clean Air and Environment Congress and Expo

This congress will be held in Durban, South Africa from September 13 - 18, 1998. Information may be obtained from the Conference Secretariat, PO Box 36782, Menlo Park 0102, South Africa. FAX +27 12 460 170; email to wissing@iafrica.com.