SEC/ESA Newsletter, July 2000, Issue 2000-3

THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
OF AMERICA NEWSLETTER

SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER

July 2000, Issue 2000-3

Jerry C. Ritchie, Editor

Chapter Officers:

Chair: Niki Stephanie Nicholas (2000-2002) nsnicholas@tva.gov
Vice-Chair: Scott Franklin (1999-2001) sfrankli@memphis.edu
Secretary/Treasurer: Paul Schmalzer (2000-2002) Paul.Schmalzer-1@kmail.ksc.nasa/gov
Web-Master: Mark MacKenzie mackenzi@forestry.auburn.edu
Chapter's Web site: http://www.auburn.edu/seesa/

Comments from Past-Chair (Ken McLeod):

Over the past two years, the Southeastern Chapter has expanded its activities into some new areas, while several traditional activities have declined. We have shown less interest in symposia and field trips held in conjunction with the ASB and ESA meetings. It is the responsibility of the Vice-Chair to coordinate these events but not to create them, since these activities are driven by the interest of the membership. If Chapter members do not want to propose, organize, conduct and participate in these activities, then they obviously cannot occur. Symposia and field trips also require advance preparation and approval. Since, we are conducting these events with ASB or ESA, the proposed activities must be planned many months before the meeting, making it difficult to anticipate potential interest or conflicts. Field trips are limited to habitats convenient to the meeting site, but symposia topics are not so limited and may relate to the meeting site or theme, any hot issue of the day, or habitats and questions unique to the Southeastern region. Meeting programs are usually full, but remember that ASB can be an excellent forum for an audience uniquely knowledgeable about the Southeast and who does not get to attend the national ESA meeting every year. Also remember that ESA may be meeting in Savannah, Georgia in 2003. Personally, I look forward to seeing a program filled with symposia and field trips in which we showcase our corner of the country.

The Chapter has expanded into a generally new area for us: public activism. For the first time in my memory, we were asked to consider two resolutions regarding environmental issues. I certainly learned a lot about the process of an ESA Chapter's ability to make and pass resolutions. Simply put, a Chapter cannot pass resolutions without concurrence of the national ESA Governing Board. These resolutions need to represent a balanced approach to an issue and probably cannot advocate a specific position. Within these bounds, the Chapter was able to assist the national ESA in preparation of a statement regarding President Clinton's Roadless Area Protection Initiative. We also passed a resolution of support for a balanced approach in the appraisal of the Needmore Tract in southwestern North Carolina, a regionally important ecosystem. I expect this type of activity to increase in importance, as the emphasis of the membership moves from a sometimes, ivory tower professional life to that needed by today's ever-increasing environmental challenges.

Comments from Past-Secretary/Treasurer (Jerry C. Ritchie):

By the time you read this Newsletter, the ESA meeting in Snowbird will have passed and there will be a new Chair and Secretary/Treasurer of the Chapter. During the past two years the Chapter and the ESA National Office have managed to agree on the Chapter's budget. This was based on the ground work by Katherine Kirkman and Andy Ash in the prior two years. Funds have been added to the Odum award but not quite enough to make it self sufficient yet. So you still need to chip in money to the Odum Fund this Winter when your membership is renewed. Make sure you designate the Chapter's Odum Fund Account not the Society's Odum Teaching Award Account.

Spring 2001 Chapter Meeting in New Orleans:

Plans are well on the way for the Chapter's 25th birthday party at the ASB Meeting in New Orleans, April 4-7. Bill Martin is heading the group that is planning the event. If you have ideas or want to help with the activities, contact Bill Martin. See you in New Orleans.

Applications and abstracts for the Odum Award for the New Orleans will be due in mid November 2000. Check the Southeastern Biology (The ASB Bulletin) or the ASB Homepage (http://www.asb.appstate.edu/) for deadlines. Remember that an individual student may submit only one paper for judging this year.

Join the Southeast Chapter of ESA LISTSERVER

In conjunction with the Chapter Web page, Mark MacKenzie has set up a ListServer to notify you each time the Web page is updated. To join the ListServer send a message to majordomo@mail.auburn.edu with the following command in the body of your email message:

subscribe scesa

Use the Southeastern Chapter of ESA Web Site (http://www.auburn.edu/seesa/) to keep abreast of Chapter News and events. The Web site is updated with any breaking news. If you have News or announcement, send them to Mark MacKenzie (mackenzi@forestry.auburn.edu) who keeps the Web site updated. Send the officers any comments or concerns you have about chapter activities.

Jerry C. Ritchie, Editor
ESA Southeastern Chapter Newsletter
USDA ARS Hydrology Laboratory
BARC-West Bldg-007
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone 301-504-8717 Fax 301-504-8931
Email: jritchie@hydrolab.arsusda.gov