GLIN==> Call for Presentations and Posters for the 2nd National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration

["Nicole Maylett" <nmaylett@estuaries.org>]

Restore America’s Estuaries'
2nd National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration 
at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and the Grand Hyatt
Seattle
September 12-15, 2004  ·   Seattle, Washington

Call for Presentations and Posters
(http://www.estuaries.org/objects/2004RAECFP.pdf)

We invite you to address the second national gathering of the coastal 
and estuarine habitat restoration community.
 
In April 2003, over 800 attendees representing the broad restoration 
community gathered in Baltimore for the Inaugural National Conference 
on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration. The Conference featured 
three lively and engaging plenary sessions, 51 concurrent sessions and 
more than 200 presentations addressing six main themes in restoration. 
More than a dozen outdoor field sessions enabled participants to learn 
first-hand from challenges and successes at sites throughout the 
Chesapeake Bay region.
 
Once again, Restore America’s Estuaries is gathering the restoration 
community to advance the knowledge, pace, practice and success of 
coastal and estuarine habitat restoration. The Conference will address 
habitat restoration in coastal and estuarine areas of the United 
States, including the Great Lakes region, as well as international 
initiatives and issues. It will also feature a focus on restoration 
challenges and opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, with an emphasis 
on transferable lessons learned.
 
The Conference will explore all aspects of coastal and estuarine 
habitat restoration. Coastal and estuarine habitats, such as sea grass 
beds, oyster reefs, salt marshes, mud flats, mangroves, kelp beds, open 
waters and rocky shores, are uniquely productive and essential natural 
systems. They create and nurture abundant life, and enrich the 
economies and spirits of coastal communities. Habitat restoration –- 
manipulation of the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of 
a site with the goal of returning self-sustaining natural or historic 
structure and functions to former or degraded habitat – offers great 
promise for reversing trends of habitat loss and degradation.
 
-Conference Audience-
This conference is a national gathering of the broad coastal and 
estuarine habitat restoration community, including participants from 
both public and private sectors. Non-profit and community 
organizations, businesses and corporations from supporting industries, 
academic and research institutions, Indian tribes, and agencies from 
all levels of government will be represented. Restoration 
practitioners, community leaders, consultants, scientists, educators, 
planners, volunteers, program managers, field staff,  contractors, 
regulators and others involved in restoration efforts are all 
encouraged to participate.
 
Conference participants will vary widely in terms of areas of interest 
and experience level, and we plan to offer presentations of specific 
interest to each group. For this reason, it is very important to 
clearly indicate your target audience – in terms of both interest area 
and skill level – in your proposal. We expect 800-1200 attendees, and 4-
5 sessions will run concurrently. 
 
-Conference Themes-
All proposals, for both posters and presentations, should relate 
specifically to one of more the Conference themes. In addition, 
presentations are strongly encouraged that address the topics listed 
under each theme. The Conference Program Committee will develop 
Conference Sessions that integrate various themes of restoration while 
providing a mix of presenters from the various sectors of restoration. 
When submitting a proposal, please indicate which theme(s) is being 
addressed. 
 
People – The restoration and maintenance of our coasts and estuaries 
requires the long-term support of a broad cross-section of the public. 
Community involvement at all stages of restoration, from planning to 
implementation and evaluation, is essential to successful restoration. 
Presentations and posters in this theme should address how to involve 
community organizations during all stages of restoration, from planning 
and design to implementation and monitoring. Presentations in this 
theme might also address how to develop strong and unique partnerships 
that help move restoration from a cottage industry to a thriving 
movement. In addition, proposals for presentations are desired for the 
following topics: 
1. Linking Restoration and Environmental Education 
2. Environmental Justice and Restoration 
3. Vibrant Coasts, Vibrant Communities – Making the Connection (can 
include economic, social and human health issues) 
4. Successful Strategies for Engaging Volunteers in Restoration (and 
Keeping them Engaged) 
5. Changing Attitudes and Behaviors through Habitat Restoration 
6. Restoration and Education
 
Practice – The focus of this theme is on-the-ground application of 
habitat restoration techniques. Presentations are encouraged that 
address new restoration methods or techniques, or provide case studies 
and lessons learned from completed projects (successful or not as 
successful as planned). Presentations and posters in this theme should 
offer generally applicable lessons learned. In all cases, the emphasis 
of this theme is on moving the practice of restoration forward. 
Proposals may address restoration of a single habitat type or a 
restoration effort that involves multiple habit types. In addition, 
proposals for presentations are sought for the following habitat types 
and restoration activities: 
1.  Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) 
2.  Salt Marsh 
3.  Shellfish 
4.  Upstream of Estuaries (includes riparian and freshwater wetlands) 
5.  Coral Reefs 
6.  Beach and Shoreline 
7.  Urban (including brown fields and contaminated sites) 
8.  Beneficial Use of Dredge Material 
9.  Fish Passage 
10. Water Quality (e.g. stormwater management, nutrient reduction, et 
al)
 
Science – The best restoration science is required for successful 
project design, implementation and evaluation, as well as for planning 
and priority-setting on a larger scale. Sessions in this theme should 
focus on applying the latest scientific advances in our understanding 
of healthy coasts and estuaries to the planning, practice and politics 
of restoration. How has our understanding of estuarine and coastal 
species, habitats and systems improved and what does this mean for 
restoration? How do we translate lab results into new or improved 
practices in the field?
 
Strategy – On-the-ground restoration is most successful when it is part 
of a watershed, estuary or regional strategic plan. Proposals in this 
theme may address the best practices in restoration planning at any 
scale and how to take restoration to the next level regionally and 
nationally. In addition, proposals for presentations are encouraged 
that address the following topics: 
1.  Moving from Smaller to Larger Scales in Restoration 
2.  Moving from Opportunistic to Strategic Restoration (What to Do When 
the Low-Hanging Fruit Has Been Picked) 
3.  Planning for Implementation (Avoiding the Plan that Sits on the 
Shelf)
 
Policy and Funding – At all levels, policies, funding, laws and 
regulations affect our ability to undertake restoration efforts; some 
impede our efforts, others advance them. Proposals in this theme should 
address how to improve the climate for restoration locally, regionally 
or nationally. In addition, proposals for presentations are desired 
that address the following topics: 
1.  The Connection Between Restoration and Conservation/Preservation 
2.  Realizing the Promise of the Estuary Restoration Act 
3.  Creative Ways to Fund Your Restoration Effort 
4.  Creating the Political Will to Secure the Future of Restoration
 
Evaluation – This theme addresses the monitoring and evaluation of 
restoration efforts. A strong future for restoration requires that we 
monitor, document, learn from and communicate restoration results. 
Proposals in this theme may address methods for monitoring and 
evaluation as well as how to determine project success or failure. In 
addition, proposals for presentations in the following topics are 
requested: 
1.  How to Adaptively Manage a Restoration Project 
2.  Using Monitoring Protocol in the Real World – Lessons Learned from 
Application in the Field 
3.  Restoration Metrics – How Do We Measure Success?
 
Additional Topics – Presentation proposals are welcome in the following 
areas. 
1.  International Challenges and Successes in Restoration 
2.  A Comparison of Estuary/Coastal Health Report Cards
3.  Tribal Restoration Efforts
4.  Restoration from a Watershed Approach
5.  Case studies of restoration that include lessons learned from 
various phases of restoration, as well as various partner perspectives 
(these should be 90 minutes in length).
 
-Presentation Format-
Conference sessions will last 90 minutes each and include three 
presentations of approximately 20 minutes, with 30 minutes of each 
session dedicated to a moderated dialogue between presenters and the 
session attendees. One of the primary goals of the program is to enable 
cross-sector dialogue within the restoration community.
 
-Poster Session-
Posters will be displayed on a 4’ x 4’ board from Sunday evening, 
September 12th to noon on September 15th. During a Poster Session on 
Tuesday morning, September 14th, presenters can informally discuss 
their work with attendees. No other Conference activities will be 
scheduled during the Tuesday morning Poster Session. 
 
-Instructions-
Posters: Proposals are requested for Posters that address one of the 
above themes. To submit a poster for consideration, complete and return 
the Poster Proposal form 
(http://www.estuaries.org/objects/2004RAECFP.pdf) by March 1, 2004.   
 
Presentations :Proposals for Presentations are requested that either 
(1) address one of the above themes and/or (2) address one of the 
specific topics identified within a theme. Proposals should be for 20-
minute presentations. To submit a proposal for a presentation, complete 
and return the Presentation Proposal form 
(http://www.estuaries.org/objects/2004RAECFP.pdf) by February 2, 2004.
 
Sessions: Proposals for 90 minute sessions are welcome that (1) present 
a restoration case study that addresses various phases and 
perspectives, or (2) address one or more conference themes or topics 
provided above.  Proposals for sessions must include multiple 
perspectives and are strongly encouraged to address multiple aspects of 
restoration (e.g. implementation and community involvement, or science 
and policy). To submit a proposal for a session, complete and return 
the Presentation Proposal form 
(http://www.estuaries.org/objects/2004RAECFP.pdf) by February 2, 2004. 
Be sure to list all proposed speakers and their affiliations. We also 
recommend that you coordinate with Restore America's Estuaries prior to 
submitting a session proposal.
 
-Timeline and Due Dates-
February 2, 2004 – Presentation and Session Proposals due
March 1, 2004 – Poster Proposals due
March 15, 2004 – Speakers and poster presenters are notified of 
proposal status
 
-Selection Process and Criteria-
A program committee will review proposals in conjunction with Restore 
America’s Estuaries’ staff, and proposals will be evaluated for their 
significance to the habitat restoration community, relevance to 
conference themes, ability to provide generally applicable, take-home 
lessons, and credentials of presenters. Accepted Presentations will be 
grouped to create sessions that provide speakers from different 
perspectives (e.g., community leader, field practitioner, consultant, 
scientist) as well as multiple aspects of restoration (e.g. practice, 
people and policy). The process will be competitive, and not all 
submitted proposals will be accepted in the Conference Program. Unless 
you request otherwise, presentations not selected for inclusion in the 
Conference Program will receive strong consideration for inclusion in 
the Poster Session.
 
-Presenter Responsibilities-
Once a presentation, poster or session has been accepted, Restore 
America's Estuaries will communicate due dates for additional 
information, including A/V needs, biographical information and poster / 
presentation descriptions for the conference program. All speakers and 
poster presenters are responsible for registering for the conference 
and should be prepared to cover their own registration and travel 
costs. Restore America's Estuaries will offer the early bird/discounted 
registration rate to all accepted presenters. Please contact Restore 
America's Estuaries if you require financial assistance to attend as 
some scholarships may be available. Reasonable audio-visual equipment 
will be provided as needed. 
 
-Questions, Comments, Suggestions?-
Please contact Steve Emmett-Mattox at Restore America’s Estuaries, 
sem@estuaries.org, 703-524-0248.
 
-About Restore America’s Estuaries-
Restore America's Estuaries, established in 1995, is a nonprofit 
organization working to preserve the nation's coasts and estuaries by 
protecting and restoring the lands and waters essential to the richness 
and diversity of coastal life. Restore America's Estuaries and its 
affiliate members collectively represent more than 250,000 citizens in 
all coastal regions of the United States. Restore America's Estuaries 
authored and championed passage of the Estuary Restoration Act of 2000 –
groundbreaking federal legislation providing strong federal commitment 
and resources toward a goal of restoring function to one million acres 
of estuarine habitat by 2010. Restore America’s Estuaries led in the 
design of A National Strategy to Restore Coastal and Estuarine Habitat, 
and defined and published the Principles of Estuarine Habitat 
Restoration in partnership with the Estuarine Research Federation. 
Restore America's Estuaries hosted the Inaugural National Conference on 
Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration, attended by more than 800 
people, in April 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information, 
visit http://www.estuaries.org/2ndnationalconference.php.


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