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Dear Colleagues,
Greetings from Virginia! I’m writing this knowing that all of us are busy these days, so in the interest of getting a short message across: 1) thanks for the opportunity to be Chair; 2) consider attending the Chapter’s workshop this November 30th; and 3) if you have a few extra hours a month, get involved. For a little more detail, read on.
I do hope this newsletter finds you all doing well and experiencing some relief from the late summer heat. My thanks are extended for this opportunity to take on the position of Chair of the South Atlantic Chapter. Being the first Chapter Chair from a private conservation organization, I hope that I can offer some differing perspectives that will benefit the Chapter. While wetlands management has long been a controversial issue, recently, the controversy has grown as national and regional court decisions confuse the federal role, and states work to define their roles in protecting, or not protecting, wetland resources. As a scientist/lobbyist, I believe there is a role that the South Atlantic Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists can, and should, play in that ongoing debate. If anything, the expertise found in the Society should be used to educate those making the critical decisions. I would greatly appreciate your input on issues/activities that you believe the Chapter should engage in. I can be reached at (804) 780-1392 or by email at ajennings@savethebay.cbf.org.
Let’s extend our appreciation to Pat Megonigal for his work as the Chapter Chair over the last two years and for his work in initiating the Chapter’s first workshop, in partnership with the Virginia Association of Wetland Professionals, offering members both an educational and networking opportunity. The workshop will be held November 30th in Norfolk, VA. It’s shaping up to be a great opportunity to learn about and discuss the importance of soil development considerations in wetland mitigation. Look for more details in this newsletter. I hope to see you all there!
I would like to call on you to consider becoming involved in Chapter activities. We will be seeking nominations for the Vice-Chair and Secretary-Treasurer positions in the spring. Additionally, we would like to extend the concept of an annual Chapter workshop to Florida in fall, 2002. If you’re in that region and are interested in participating in that effort, please contact me or any other Executive Committee member.
Looking forward to seeing you all November 30th!
Best regards,
Ann Jennings
Virginia Staff Scientist, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
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!! Fall 2001 Workshop !! The Virginia
Association of Wetland Professionals and the South Atlantic Chapter are
sponsoring a workshop entitled "The Dirt on
Wetlands: Does Soil Organic Matter Enhance Ecosystem Function in Natural,
Created, and Restored Wetlands?", to be held on Friday, November 30,
2001 at the Best Western Center Inn in Norfolk, VA. This 1-day workshop features
invited speakers from the East and Southeast to discuss the relationships of
soil organic matter to ecological functions and wetland development.
Chapter Meetings in 2002: It's not too early to mark your calendars for two important South Atlantic Chapter events next year. We hope to see you there.
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Student Travel Awards for ASB: |
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The South Atlantic Chapter provides travel awards of at least $100 each to support a limited number of graduate students presenting wetland-related research at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists. Graduate student applicants must be senior author of the paper or poster and must give the presentation at the meeting. Membership in SWS is not required. Applicants will be considered based on the scientific quality and relevance of the research, as described in their abstracts. For the 2002 ASB Meeting in Boone, NC, the deadline for abstract submission is November 16, 2001 (a link to the ASB Meeting Web site can be found in this newsletter). More information on the awards, including instructions on how to apply, will be available in the upcoming December issue of Southeastern Biology. Or, contact Pat Megonigal at megonigal@serc.si.edu. |
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Want to help? We're looking for South Atlantic Chapter members interested in serving on a standing Awards Committee, to evaluate award applications. It's not a large time commitment, and will help in a worthy effort to encourage meeting participation by students in wetlands research. If interested, contact Pat Megonigal.
Regional News |
| Delineator Certification Program: | |
 The
Virginia Association of
Wetland Professionals (VAWP), an organization of scientists active
in wetland regulation and formed in 1994, is working to establish a
voluntary state certification program for wetland delineators. VAWP
maintains that state certification of wetland delineators would provide
private landowners with protection from the harm inflicted by inaccurate
wetland delineations. Their proposal calls for a voluntary program for
Virginia-certified professional wetland delineators, outlines
educational, experiential and testing requirements, and establishes
requirements to follow a code of ethics for certified delineators. VAWP
will pursue legislation during Virginia’s 2002 General Assembly
session beginning in January. For more details on VAWP’s efforts,
contact Ann Jennings at (804) 780-1392. |
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| New Southeastern Journal: | |
| A new regional scientific journal, Southeastern Naturalist, is anticipated to begin publication in 2002, as a sister journal to the Northeastern Naturalist. Manuscripts may focus on terrestrial, freshwater, and marine organisms and their habitats. The first call for papers and subscribers has been announced. Visit the website for more information. | |
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Minutes of the Chapter Meeting at SWS, Chicago, IL |
The South Atlantic Chapter of SWS held its annual business meeting in the Shelby Room of the Congress Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, in Chicago, IL, on Tuesday, May 29, 2001. Officers in attendance were Pat Megonigal (out-going Chair), and Diane De Steven (Vice-Chair).
| Treasurer's report: | |
| Secretary-Treasurer William Conner reports that the Chapter currently has 850 members. As of 5/29/01, the Chapter has $3,605.01 in expendable funds and $18,000 in a CD which will roll over on 6/23/01 unless a change is specified. | |
| Announcements: | |
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| Old business: | |
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| New business: | |
| Vice-Chair Diane De Steven presented the background and rationale for the new proposed bylaws and standing rules, which were published in draft form in the Chapter’s Spring 2001 newsletter. Following discussion, minor amendments in wording were seconded and approved, and the amended bylaws and standing rules were adopted by unanimous vote. | |
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