Saving all the pieces: The need for private sector oversight of Maryland’s natural diversity

A one day workshop to advance citizens’ involvement in the
long-term stewardship of our State’s native biota.

Held on 11 November 2006

Johns Hopkins University, Room 03, Shaffer
Baltimore, Maryland

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Workshop materials and working group information will soon be made available by links.

Please check in with us again & let us know if you would like to participate.

Introduction
Dr. Charles Stine, Johns Hopkins University faculty & Founder of Eco Trek, Session Chair

8:00- 9:00 AM Registration, handouts, book displays

9:00-9:15 AM Opening remarks
Dr. Charles J. Stine, Johns Hopkins University

9:15-10:00 Why large Non-Government conservation organizations fail to engage in local conservation issues.
Dr. Christopher Haney, Chief Scientist, Defenders of Wildlife

10:00- 10:15 Break

 

The issues: A sampling of foolishness and squandering
Michael Hollins, Founder and President of Ecosystem Recovery Institute, Session Chair

10:15-10:30 AM Extinct and extirpated species in Maryland
Dave S. Lee, Founder of The Tortoise Reserve, 2001 Diamondback Terrapin Task Force

10:30-10:45 Diamondback Terrapins: Turtles with price tags
Alexandra Siess and Richard Stanley, Chesapeake Terrapin Alliance

10:45-11:00 Tiger Salamanders: Another lost species?
Dr. Charles J. Stine, Johns Hopkins University

11:00-11:15 Limited trout
Jim Grace, Trout Unlimited, Founder of MD Brook Trout Alliance

11:15-11:30 Yellow perch: Issues with swimming upstream
Ken Hastings, Coastal Conservation Association Maryland

11:30-11:45 Open discussion

11:45-1:00 PM Lunch at Dizzy Issies

 

Working examples of some working solutions: Undoing the well intended
Chris Swarth, Director of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Session Chair

1:00-1:15 PM Gopher Tortoise Wars: State politics vs. common sense.
Ray Ashton, Ashton Biodiversity Research & Preservation Institute

1:15-1:30 Project Bog Turtle
David S. Lee, The Tortoise Reserve

1:30-1:45 The role of private land trusts in protecting rare species
Michael Hollins, Ecosystem Recovery Institute

1:45-2:00 Maryland’s Coastal Conservation Association
Ken Hastings, Coastal Conservation Association Maryland

2:00-2:15 Break

 

Natural History education and public awareness: What was it, where did it go?
David S. Lee, The Tortoise Reserve, 2001 Diamondback Terrapin Task Force, Session Chair

2:15-2:25 PM Nature education through public media
Jean Worthley; Miss Jean of Hodge Podge Lodge, syndicated PBS show

2:25-2:40 Local environmental public education: Perspectives and hindsight of 'below-average' students
Kevin Miskelly & Tessy Brungardt, survivors of Towson High’s biology program

2:40-2:50 Raising conservation funds through local educational events Tim Hoen, MARS Preservation Fund

2:50-3:00 The role of The Natural History Society of Maryland in local education and maintaining the State’s scientific data base Charlie Davis, The Natural History Society of Maryland

3:00-3:15 Open discussion

3:15-3:30 Break

 

The Workshop

3:30-4:45 PM Establish working-groups with key people and audience members based on best fit for their interests and experience.

Suggested working groups:
• Working with state and federal agencies.
• Working with legislative groups.
• Networking with conservation organizations on a grass roots level.
• How to improve existing systems.
• Holding agencies to be responsible.
• Getting nature back into the public eye.
• How can we actually help tiger salamanders: a case study.

These should become standing committees, brief end of workshop reports from each to be presented.

 

Wrap up & moving forward

4:45-5:15 PM How can we form this workshop into an effective conservation network? Questions and comments from participants

5:15-5:30 Concluding remarks and ideas: “Where do we go from here?”

5:30 Adjourn, for now.
We will refocus with what we learn and regroup.
This will be an ongoing conservation effort. Stay tuned.

7:30-9:30 PM Social hosted by Ecosystem Recovery Institute.

 

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