richard_lanctot

(SEE BELOW FOR ENGLISH MESSAGE) Quinta Reunión del Grupo de Aves Playeras del Hemisferio Occidental Santa Marta - Colombia; 17 al 21 de septiembre de 2013. La Quinta Reunión del Grupo de Aves playeras del Hemisferio Occidental (WHSG por sus siglas en inglés) se llevará a cabo en la ciudad caribeña de Santa Marta, Colombia, entre el 17 y el 21 de septiembre de 2013. El propósito de la reunión es facilitar un espacio para que los interesados en las aves playeras puedan compartir los avances de investigaciones y proyectos de conservación y formar parte de las iniciativas de trabajo colaborativo en el Hemisferio Occidental. Esperamos contar con la participación de estudiantes, científicos, miembros de agencias gubernamentales, académicos e integrantes de ONG del Hemisferio Occidental, quienes con su trabajo aportan día a día al conocimiento y a la conservación de las aves playeras. Buscamos gobiernos, organizaciones, empresas y personas que quieran apoyar la organización general del evento y los viajes internacionales de estudiantes de todo el continente y profesionales latinoamericanos. Los detalles sobre la reunión, incluyendo la logística, convocatoria para simposios y resúmenes, programa general y apoyo para viajes internacionales pronto estará disponible en el sitio web de la Asociación Calidris www.calidris.org.co. Las preguntas sobre los preparativos de la reunión pueden ser dirigidas a: Richard Johnston rjohnston@calidris.org.co y Carlos José Ruiz cjruiz@calidris.org.co. La Ciudad de Santa Marta y El Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona se encuentran entre los diez mejores destinos de viaje en 2012 seleccionados por Travel Magazine de National Geographic: http://travel.nation...olombia-photos/ Marque su calendario ahora y escriba a comunicaciones@calidris.org.co para recibir más información sobre el evento. "Únanse a la bandada" ------ 5th Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting Santa Marta - Colombia; 17-21 September 2013. 　 The Fifth Meeting of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group (WHSG) will be held in the Caribbean city of Santa Marta, Colombia, from 17- 21 September 2013. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a platform for those interested in shorebirds to share their advances in research and conservation projects and join collaborative initiatives trough the Western Hemisphere. We look forward to the participation of students, scientists, government agencies, academics and members of NGOs in the Western Hemisphere, who can bring their experience and contribute to the knowledge and conservation of shorebirds. We seek governments, organizations, companies and individuals who want to support the overall organization of the event and international travel for students and Latin American professionals. Details about the meeting, including logistics, call for abstracts and symposia and support for international travel will be soon available on the website of Asociación Calidris: www.calidris.org.co. Questions about the overall planning of the meeting may be directed to: Richard Johnston rjohnston@calidris.org.co and Carlos José Ruiz cjruiz@calidris.org.co. The City of Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park are among the top ten destinations in 2012 selected by National Geographic Travel Magazine: http://travel.nation...olombia-photos/ Mark your calendar now and write to comunicaciones@calidris.org.co or the above emails for more information about the event. "Join the Flock" Click here to view the meeting

There has been concern expressed by members of established societies that the formation of the Society for Ornithology is not needed or would not help solve issues being faced by most ornithology societies today. I understand some of these concerns since it involves change and most people do not like change. However, I hope everyone will allow the process (and plan) to move forward and then try to objectively evaluate it for its merits. As the informal chair of the recently created Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group (created in March 2006), I am personally very excited about the opportunities this new society may offer us. We currently lack any formal structure, and as such do not have a mechanism to fund raise, publish, or even hold meetings. My hope is that this new society would provide some structure for fledgling groups like ours that do not have the inclination or base to establish a formal structure. Having a societal structure that we could join, contribute to, and take of advantage of, would be very helpful for the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group to step into the 21st century. Rick Lanctot