The Sixth International Science and the Management of Protected Areas ( SAMPAA) Conference will be held from May 21 to 26, 2007 at Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.

 

Ecosystem Based Management: Beyond Boundaries

Ecosystem Based Management seeks to align human use of resources with natural ecosystem boundaries. However, conceptual and institutional boundaries, designed by humans to impart order in a complex world, tend to intersect natural boundaries. The boundary between humans and nature is perhaps the most profound of these human-constructed boundaries and tends to inhibit progress. SAMPAA VI will attempt to develop novel strategies to move us beyond boundaries in order to come closer to achieving Ecosystem Based Management within terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The conference will provide a range of activities ranging from plenary and concurrent sessions, poster sessions,workshops, field trips and opportunities to develop resolutions for follow up action.

Refereed proceedings, to which participators of both oral and posters presentations are encouraged to submit manuscripts, will be produced electronically. These proceedings will be made available directly to conference participants and will also be available through the SAMPAA website and Library and Archives Canada.

The Conference Schedule

The conference will begin with a special opening event at the icebreaker on Monday 21 May. We will invite children and their parents for a special presentation of Mermaid Theater's “Code Green”, which is a live puppet show that involves young people in species at risk issues. The SAMPAA VI audience will see the presentation, and more importantly, will see the interactive nature of puppet theatre with children. After our theatre experience we will relax and mingle with local musicians.

The first morning of the conference will begin with a plenary presentation on the challenges encountered in establishing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This world treasure continues to find management balance among the values of eco-tourism, fishing, and ecological integrity. Our plenary speaker will walk us through this great societal experiment in managing a world heritage site.

Then, for the remainder of the day on Tuesday, all day Wednesday, and part of the day Friday, we have verbal and poster presentations showcasing innovative approaches to managing protected areas. We anticipate dozens of interesting presentations highlighting collaborations on terrestrial and marine management, Aboriginal co-management, and recovery of species at risk, as well as science and traditional knowledge as they relate to managing protected areas. At the poster session, we have a special treat in store. We know you will enjoy the poster Gong Show – stay tuned.

On Wednesday night we will have a special banquet with great conversation, light entertainment and music. This will be a great chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Thursday is workshop day. As of mid-January, we have four workshops in preparation. The Marine Workshop will take as its focus the commitment of the Canadian Federal Government to establish a ‘Network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012'. The Terrestrial Workshop will explore the concept of Greater Ecosystem Management and establish guidelines that define effective collaborations and partnerships. The intent is to develop a practical ‘how-to' manual for greater ecosystem projects that has utility for all partners. Both of these workshops will develop products for presentation on Friday. Other workshops will seek to redefine stewardship for species at risk in a protected areas context, and the exploration of linking art and science for conservation. All workshops will challenge participants to work in new ways, breaking down traditional barriers among jurisdictions and functions to achieve major advances in conservation.

To conclude the meeting on Friday, we hope to have remarks by prominent politicians on the role of protected areas in ecosystem management. We will then have syntheses of the workshop results, and hope to have responses in principle from senior managers from the Parks Canada and other agencies. The conference then wraps-up with a BBQ on Friday evening and with field trips on Saturday (enjoyable and educational).

Plenary speakers for the SAMPAA VI conference include Mr. Alan Latourelle, CEO for the Parks Canada Agency and Dr. John Tanzer, Executive Director for the Great Barrier Reef Park Authority. Other keynote speakers will be announced once participation is confirmed.

We look forward to seeing you at SAMPAA VI.