J. Wayne Reitz Union
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
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Working Forests
in the Tropics:
Partnering Research with Practice
for Conservation and Development
October 6-7, 2008
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Conference
Introduction
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 Purpose
The purpose of the Working Forests in the Tropics
Conference (WFT) is to provide an interdisciplinary and interactive forum for
sharing and synthesis of information about tropical forest conservation and
management. This conference will
explore how scientists from universities and research organizations have worked
in partnership with government agencies, policy-makers, the private sector,
social movements, and natural resource managers to advance conservation and
development through applied research and capacity-building.
The conference will also offer networking opportunities for participants.
Who
Should Attend
This conference is designed
to bring together academic and non-academic researchers and professionals
(national and international agencies, NGO and private sector) and students
interested in tropical forest, conservation, management, economics, and policy.
 Conference Structure
Oral sessions have been organized around three primary
topics: training innovations, cross-scale multi-stakeholder processes, and
knowledge exchange to facilitate research. Each session will include invited
papers selected by the session moderator in consultation with the steering
committee, followed by a panel discussion. The final afternoon will include
breakout discussion groups which will allow participants to discuss and
synthesize the perspectives previously presented.
In addition to the oral sessions, there will be a poster session open to
submissions on any aspect of tropical forest conservation, economics,
management, or policy.
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Primary Conference Topics |
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1. Training Innovations
 This
session presents innovative models for the training of researchers and
practitioners. These innovations emphasize new tools and skills necessary for
researchers to engage in policy and conservation and development practice. The
models highlighted in this session include graduate education programs fostering
collaboration with various stakeholders, such as communities, NGOs and policy
makers, training programs bridging gaps between academic and applied skill sets,
and the development of tools facilitating the exchange of information, knowledge
and capacity across scales.
2. Cross-Scale Multi-stakeholder Processes
This session showcases lessons from conservation
and development initiatives involving the collaboration of multiple stakeholders
at various scales. Within these initiatives, research may be just one of many
objectives. The presentations in this session highlight the role of science and
research within the context of these processes as well as the perception of
science by various stakeholders. Public policy directives have often
 stimulated
land use changes in tropical forest regions, especially those related to
infrastructure and agricultural development.
3. Knowledge Exchange to Facilitate Research
How can we effectively engage local stakeholders
in the scientific research process to facilitate knowledge exchange between
scientists, resource managers, practitioners and policy-makers in conservation
and development? Presentations in this session highlight innovative and ethical
strategies for collaborating with local people in the design and implementation
of scientific research, as well as in the dissemination of research results.
Capacity building is considered an important way to bridge the gap between
science and practice.
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Call for Posters |
Conference Participants who wish to present
their work on any aspect of the conference session themes are encouraged to
submit an abstract for consideration as a poster presentation no later than
June 16, 2008. Poster presentations will provide a valuable format for
dialogue outside the structured plenary and breakout sessions, and thus will
be a significant component of this conference. We are accepting posters
based on scientific research as well as practitioner experience.
Posters selected from abstract submissions
will be displayed during a formal poster session and reception with authors
available for discussion. Posters will be judged on relevance to the
conference themes, clarity, originality and impact, and overall quality. All
approved abstracts will be published on the conference website prior to the
conference. Authors will be notified if their submission is accepted by
Monday, July 7, 2008. Detailed abstract submission instructions are provided
below. Please be sure to follow them carefully to ensure your submission is
received and recorded. Abstracts MUST be submitted ONLINE via this web site.
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The deadline
for abstract submission has passed. |
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Agenda |
Sunday,
October 5, 2008
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9:00am-3:00pm |
Field trip to Ocala National Forest, to be led by Jack Putz (up to 25 participants) |
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5:00pm-7:00pm |
Reception: Welcome gathering for WFT partners, invited speakers and
others |
Monday,
October 6, 2008
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7:00am |
Registration open at Reitz Union
(until 5:00 pm). |
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7:00am-8:30am |
Poster set-up and morning refreshments |
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8:30am-8:45am |
Welcome and Introduction:
Dan Zarin,
Director, Working Forests in the Tropics Program, University of
Florida |
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8:45am-9:30am |
Opening Keynote Address: David Kaimowitz, Program
Officer, Environment and Development, Ford Foundation |
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Session 1: Training Innovations
Moderator: Marianne
Schmink, Professor and Director, Tropical Conservation and
Development Program (TCD), Center for Latin American Studies,
University of Florida |
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9:30am-9:50am |
Speaker 1: Beth Kaplin,
Core Faculty, Antioch University, MacArthur Foundation and National
University of Rwanda Conservation Capacity Building Project |
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9:50am-10:10am |
Speaker 2:
Kamaljit Bawa,
Distinguished Professor of Biology at University of
Massachusetts, and President of Ashoka Trust for Research in
Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) |
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10:10am-10:30am |
Speaker 3:
Claudio Pádua,
Institute for Ecological Research (IPÉ), Brazil |
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10:30am-11:00am |
Refreshment Break |
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11:00am-11:20am |
Speaker 4: Flávio Luizão, LBA (Large Scale
Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia)/INPA, Brazil |
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11:20am-11:40am |
Speaker 5:
Ivan Bond,
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) --
action research for PES (Payments for Environmental Services) in
South Africa |
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11:40am-12:30pm |
Panel Discussion, Session #1
(questions for all speakers at this time) |
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12:30pm-2:00pm |
Lunch on your own |
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Session 2: Cross-Scale Multi-stakeholder Processes
Moderator: Jack
Putz, Professor of Botany, University of Florida |
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2:00pm-2:25pm |
Speaker 1:
Per Olsson, Research Theme Leader, Stockholm Resilience Center,
Sweden |
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2:25pm-2:50pm |
Speaker 2:
Ane
A.C. Alencar, Researcher, Amazon Environmental Research
Institute (IPAM) & School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC),
University of Florida |
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2:50pm-3:15pm |
Speaker 3:
Jeremy Radachowsky, Working Forests in the Tropics (WFT)
Fellow, University of Florida |
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3:15pm-3:40pm |
Afternoon Refreshment Break |
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3:40pm-4:05pm |
Speaker 4:
Hernan Dario Corréa,
Associate Researcher, Planeta Paz & Corporación Ecofondo, Colombia |
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4:05pm-5:00pm |
Panel Discussion, Session #2
(questions for all speakers at this time) |
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_ |
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5:00pm-7:00pm |
Poster Session Reception |
Tuesday,
October 7, 2008
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Session 3: Knowledge Exchange to Facilitate Research
Moderator: Brian
Child, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Florida |
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8:30am-9:10am |
Speakers 1 & 2: Citlalli López, Anthropologist,
Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales (CITRO) of the Universidad
Veracruzana, Mexico, & Patricia Shanley, Senior Scientist,
Forests & Livelihoods Program, Center for International Forestry
Research (CIFOR), Indonesia |
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9:10am-9:50am |
Speakers 3 & 4:
Jennifer Arnold,
School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Florida, & Douglas Saunders, community
co-researcher from the indigenous Tohono O'odham Nation in southern
Arizona, USA |
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9:50am-10:20am |
Refreshment Break |
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10:20am-11:00am |
Speakers 5 & 6:
Marshall Murphree, University of Zimbabwe & Charles
Jonga, Executive Director, CAMPFIRE Association, Zimbabwe |
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11:00am-11:40am |
Speakers 7 & 8:
Carlos Souza, Jr.,
Instituto do Homem e Meio Ambiente da Amazônia (IMAZON) &
Ubiratan Cazeta, Ministério Público Federal do Pará, Brazil |
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11:40am-12:30pm |
Panel Discussion, Session #3
(questions for all speakers at this time) |
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12:30pm-2:00pm |
Lunch on your own |
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Session 4: Synthesis & Recommendations
Moderator:
Karen Kainer, Assistant Professor of Forestry & Latin American
Studies, University of Florida |
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2:00pm-2:45pm |
Special Speaker:
Lini Wollenberg, Director, Center for Sustainable
Agriculture, University of Vermont & Senior Associate, Center for
International Forestry Research (CIFOR) |
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2:45pm-4:00pm |
Breakout Discussion Groups |
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4:00pm-4:45pm |
Closing Keynote Address: Jon Lomoy, Ambassador of Norway
to Tanzania: "Donor
Perspective on Role of Research in Addressing Conservation and
Development Challenges." |
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4:45pm-5:00pm |
Closing Remarks:
To be confirmed |
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5:30pm-7:30pm |
Closing Reception |
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Pre-Conference Field Trip |
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Sunday,
October 5, 2008
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9:00am-3:00pm |
Field trip to Ocala National Forest, to be led by Jack Putz
(up to 25 participants) |
** More details soon! **
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Conference Registration
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Conference
Registration Fees
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Regular Attendee Fee |
| Early Reduced
Registration Fee (By August 8, 2008) |
$175.00 |
| Regular Registration Fee
(By September 12, 2008) |
$200.00 |
| Late/Onsite Registration
Fee (After September 12, 2008) |
$225.00 |
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NON-UF Student Attendee Fee |
| Early Reduced Student
Fee (By August 8, 2008) |
$100.00 |
| Regular Student Fee (By
September 12, 2008) |
$125.00 |
| Late/Onsite Student Fee
(After September 12, 2008) |
$150.00 |
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UF Students & Faculty Fee |
| UF Attendee Fee |
$30.00 |
Registration Fee: The conference
registration fee provides each attendee the participation in the conference,
conference materials, morning, mid-day and afternoon refreshments, the Monday
Evening Poster Reception and the Closing Reception.
NON-UF Student Fee: A photocopy of a valid student ID must accompany
student registrations in order to receive the student fee. After registering,
please FAX or email a copy of your student ID to: 1-352-392-9734 or
jhanna@ufl.edu, Attn: Working Forests.
Optional
Conference Events
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Pre-Conference Field Trip (Sunday, October 5, 2008) |
$25.00 |
Field Trip Fee: This fee includes lunch,
refreshments, transportation and access to tour sites by private guides. Please
refer to the Field Trip portion of the web site for detailed information.
Note:
Before clicking on the "Register Now" link below, we recommend that you have
payment information on-hand, such as credit card, check number or purchase order
number, if we are to invoice your institution.
Refund
Policy: Requests for registration refunds will be honored if written notice
of cancellation is received by the Office of Conferences and Institutes on or
before Friday, September 12, 2008. A $50.00 processing fee will be deducted from
all attendee refunds and a $20 processing fee for non-UF student refunds . No
refunds will be honored for cancellations after Friday, September 12, 2008.
Special Needs: Special needs (such as visual, hearing or walking
impairments) of registered attendees can be reasonably accommodated if they
contact the Office of Conferences & Institutes at least 10 working days prior to
the short course. We can be reached by phone at (352) 392-5930, by fax at (352)
392-9734, or by email at jhanna@ufl.edu. If
calling from within the State of Florida, the office can be reached at
1-800-955-8771 (TDD). Return to
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Go Green |
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As a
participant of the Working Forests in the Tropics Conference, you have the
opportunity to play a vital role in making our event sustainable. Below is a
list of suggested actions that you can take to help make the WFT Conference
green:
Travel to and from the conference:
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Offset
green house gas (GHG) emissions associated with your travel by visiting
www.carbonfund.org and clicking on
“Offset
Your Footprint”
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Book your
travel via the most direct route possible as multiple take-offs and landings
cause substantial increases in emissions
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Utilize
shuttle services from the airport to your accommodations to reduce GHG
emissions
At the
conference:
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Recycle
your bottles, cans and paper at recycling stations throughout the conference
and to reduce waste
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Utilize
shuttle services or walk from your accommodations to and from the conference
to reduce your GHG emissions
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When
printing or copying materials, make sure to print double-sided versions
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Bring your
own reusable mug, water bottle, pen, pencil and paper
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Collect
business cards of presenters and have them e-mail reports and other
information rather than collecting printed hand-outs
At your
hotel room:
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Turn off
any lights, TV, air conditioner or heaters when you leave your hotel room
for the day to decrease energy consumption
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If your
accommodation offers this service, take the option of not having sheets and
towels changed every day to reduce consumption of energy, water and soap
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Hotel Accommodations |
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The Holiday Inn University Center
1250 W. University Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
PHONE: (352) 376-1661
FAX:
(352)-336-8717
WEB:
www.theuniversityhotel.com
The Holiday Inn University Center is
surrounded on all sides by the University of Florida, shops, boutiques,
restaurants, and "the Heart of Gainesville." This 6 story "just off campus"
landmark is a non-smoking hotel. The hotel is a short walking distance of the
Working Forests in the Tropics Conference held on the University of Florida
campus in the J. Wayne Reitz Union.
A block of guest rooms has been reserved at
The Holiday Inn University Center for a special rate of $88 plus 9.25% tax
for single or double occupancy. In order to receive the reduced rate,
reservations must be made prior to September 15, 2008. Please be
aware that traditionally the block of guest rooms fills before the deadline,
therefore we encourage you to make your reservation at your earliest
convenience. After September 15th, the discounted rate is not guaranteed.
 Please
contact the hotel directly at (352) 376-1661 and mention the group code “WFT” to make your reservation. You may
also fax your completed reservation form, directly to the hotel at (352)
336-8717.
Any room reservation canceled within
five (5) days of arrival will be charged one night’s room deposit.
NOTE: Tax Exemption – To receive tax
exempt status, payment must be made in the form of a government issued check or
credit card and be accompanied by a Florida sales tax exemption
certificate presented at check-in. The form of payment must match the name on
the tax exemption certificate; cash, personal checks, and personal credit cards
are not acceptable forms of payment for tax-exempt individuals or groups.
The hotel check-in time is 4:00pm and check
out is 11:00am.
All rooms have a coffee maker, high-speed
internet access, phone with voice mail, work desk with lamp, in room video
check-out, and a free morning newspaper delivered to room.
Air service is provided through the
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), just north of the University of Florida.
The Holiday Inn University Center provides complimentary area shuttle service to
and from the airport and other locations within a 4 mile radius of the hotel.
To secure airport shuttle transportation please contact the Holiday Inn
University Center at (352) 376-1661 to make a reservation.
Additional air service is available in
Jacksonville (JAX), Orlando (MCO) and the Tampa (TPA) areas and is a 2-3 hour
drive from the University of Florida.
Click here for Hotel Registration Form
 (Use
only if you wish to make your reservation by mail or fax rather than phone.)
(You will need
Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and print this form.)
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Travel Information |
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The Holiday Inn University Center is
only a short drive from the Gainesville Regional Airport. Transportation to and
from the airport is provided through the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service.
To secure airport shuttle transportation please contact the Holiday Inn
University Center at (352) 376-1661 to make a reservation.
Airport Information:
|
an official source of information about U.S.
visa policy and procedures |
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Conference Steering Committee |
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UF
Faculty Members: Robert Buschbacher, Daniel Zarin, Karen Kainer,
Marianne Schmink and Brian Child
Graduate Students: Lucas Fortini, Arika Virapongse, Ari Martinez,
Amy Duchelle, Ane Alencar, Lucimar Souza, Diana “Tita” Alvira, Kelly Biedenweg,
Dawn Ward, Greg Parent, Simone Athayde, Patricia Mupeta, and Carly Voight
WFT
Program Assistant: Christine Housel
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For More Information
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Program
Information
Robert
J. Buschbacher, Ph.D., Conference Chair
University of Florida/IFAS
School of Forest Resources & Conservation
PO Box 110760
Gainesville, FL 32611-0760
PHONE:
(352) 846-2831
FAX:
(352) 846-1332
EMAIL:
rbusch@ufl.edu
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Conference
Information
Jhanna Gilbert,
Conference Coordinator
Office of Conferences and Institutes (OCI)
University of Florida / IFAS
PO Box 110750, Building 639, Mowry Road
Gainesville, FL 32611-0750
PHONE: 352-392-5930
FAX:
352-392-9734
EMAIL:
jhanna@ufl.edu
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The Meeting Site is
within walking distance of the Holiday Inn University Center and is located at
the
