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 |