Re: Nature Quest
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 16:56:28 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <199903292156.QAA03452@dial.pick.uga.edu> To: "cgaasch" <cgaasch@randomc.com> From: lorelei@teleport.com (Lorelei Norvell) Subject: Re: Nature Quest Cc: dl@discoverlife.org, Jody Flemming <jody@discoverlife.org>, Keith Langdon <Keith_Langdon@nps.gov>, John Pickering <pick@discoverlife.org>, "Dr. Michael J. Sharkey" <msharkey@ca.uky.EDU>, Rex Lowe <lowe@opie.bgsu.edu>, Kevin Skeeters <kwskee0@hotmail.com>, Dana Soehn <dana_soehn@nps.gov>, lorelei@teleport.com, ret@pluto.njcc.com, Allein <astanley@i-america.net>, MycoMs@aol.com Hi Christi -- Well you at least relieved my late night anxieties --for the past three weeks I've been waking up at 3 am remembering I STILL have neglected to bring you up to speed on who what when and where of the Memorial Day soiree. NOW, of course, I've misplaced my list, but I do know who should be placed on the general notification list in addition to me.... 1. Macrofungal TWIG Coordinator Rod Tulloss <ret@pluto.njcc.com> 2. North American Mycological Association President Allein Stanley <astanley@i-america.net> 3. Asheville Mushroom Club -- GSMNP-ATBI Liaison and facilitator, Theresa Rey <MycoMs@aol.com> All three have spent the past weekend in a transect setting and workshop. The Asheville club is forming a hardy nucleus of volunteers to work the transect, process specimens, etc, once all the glitches are worked out. Right now the largest problem is money and time. Alas -- those two problems will always be with us, but I'm hoping to minimize them considerably, With respect to the Mary 27-31 kick-off celebration, I know that Theresa and Susan Mitchell (the club president, whose email is Susan Mitchell <Sachem@CITCOM.net>) are eager to know all the logistics. We've all been operating in the dark, and so it is time to get as much information as we can. Unfortunately neither Rod nor Allein will be able to be in the Smokies at that time, and I personally am somewhat hesitant to spend some of our hard-won funds on flying me hither and thither. Whether I attend or not all depends on the wishes of Rod, Allein, and the Asheville crew. (To say I desperately want to be there is an understatement, but perhaps I can contribute more at a distance). Somewhere in one of the letters I understand that the planning meeting is scheduled for April 24 -- alas I have previous commitments which mean that I would be unable to attend then in person (unless you want to attempt a conference call!!), and suggest that you contact Theresa to find out who might able to represent the Fungal TWIG at that time. Allein may also have some excellent ideas as well. Regarding our celebration, it would be helpful if we could also encourage some mycological taxonomists to come at that time, but unfortunately the timing -- Memorial Day -- has two big drawbacks -- one is that school is still in session for some, the other is the sheer mass of humanity that will be assaulting the park. I'm hoping we can work around that. Keep us all current on what is transpiring. Warmly, Lorelei Norvell TWIG Coordinator, Kingdom Fungi >Hey you all! Things here have been very busy and I haven't had time to do much with the Nature Quest. I assume you all are busy as well, but can you please send me names and comments regarding the February 25 message. I've attached it to refresh your memory. Thanks. >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 and 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 fund 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 it's 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lorelei Norvell, PhD Editor, Inoculum (MSA Newsletter) GSMNP-ATBI Fungal TWIG Coordinator Pacific Northwest Mycology Service 6720 NW Skyline Blvd Portland, OR 97229-1309 USA VOX 503 297-3296 FAX 503 296-6745 <lorelei@teleport.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Discover Life in America | Science | Nature Quests | Norvell - 29 March, 1999 |