Nature Quest Committee Meeting
From: "cgaasch" <cgaasch@randomc.com>
To: <kesco@arches.uga.edu>, <spruance@infinet.com>, <lorelei@teleport.com>,
<bweigman@unity.ncsu.edu>
Cc: <dl@discoverlife.org>
Subject: Nature Quest committee
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 12:20:02 -0500
Kitty, Eric, Lorelei and Brian,
Pick has asked me to try and coordinate a first meeting about the
upcoming Nature Quest. We are to select additional members and then
elect three co-coordinators. The members should represent
communications, education, science and other teams and committees.
Please select a few people that you think would be helpful in getting
this thing up and going and particularly anyone that may want to be a
co-coordinator. Of course, if you would like this honor, you may
volunteer yourself!
In addition, I have drafted some very simplistic goals, objectives and
results from the outreach discussion group in December. I have asked
Peter Adler, my co-facilitator of the meeting, to edit and return to me.
I would like for you all to look at it and add, change, etc. I will
then make corrections and a final revision.
If you are unfamiliar with the details of the Nature Quest, I will tell
you what I know (more than likely you all probably know more than I.)
The first Nature Quest will occur May 27-31, 1999. Ant, fly, fungi
lep. people have expressed interest in participating. It looks like
ants will probably not be included this first year. I'm not sure about
leps. Pick requested funds for us, but none were approved. However,
$16,000 will be made available to four Taxonomy Teams, including Diptera
and Fungi, and $8,000, to equip a new training/sorting/processing/data
center at Cosby. You can find more information through the
www.discoverlife.org and linking to "Great Smokies" then "Planning" and
finally "Nature Quests."
So for now, please send me names and corrections by March 10 and forward
any correspondence to dl@discoverlife.org. Thanks! You can reach me by
phone at 770-936-5455.
Christi
Outreach Group
Nature Quest Discussion
Executive Summary
The Nature Quest has two main initiatives: science and public education.
Each initiative has different goals, objectives and results as follows:
Science
Goal: To collect and inventory all large number of specimens and species
in a short amount of time. To inventory all of the species that occur in
the Park - ATBI
Objective: A Nature Quest: simultaneously coordinate a few taxonomic
groups (flies, fungi, ants and leps have been suggested) to inventory
the Park (or certain key areas) for as many species and specimens as
possible from May 27-31, 1999.
Result: Distribution maps for selected taxa based on the findings to be
presented at the next General Evaluation and Planning Meeting, December
8-10.
Public Education
Goal: To educate the public about biodiversity and it92s importance as
it pertains to ecology, quality of life, management practices, etc.
Objective: Use the Nature Quest to attract public attention through
educational programs and volunteer efforts coordinated in conjunction
with the event. Also to use the event to attract media attention.
Results: Publicity of ATBI and Discover Life in America to a wide
audience, both local and distant.
Things to consider:
1. While recruiting media attention be sure to explain the purpose of
ATBI without reflecting too much on killing specimens.
2. Keep in mind that different taxonomic groups will require different
collecting and sampling techniques and those participating need to
coordinate their collecting so as not to impact each other's results
negatively.
3. Involve local schools and people through educational programs and
volunteer efforts.
| Discover Life in America | Science | Nature Quest | Gaasch - 25 February, 1999 |