Dear Vermont Birders, I wanted to spread the word about an all day symposium on Thursday celebrating the legacy of the Endangered Species Act and Vermont's experience protecting our most vulnerable species. Apologies for being late in sending out a note. The symposium is next Thursday, the 23rd, from 8:30 to 4:30 at the ECHO Center. Keynote speakers include Joe Roman, Author and Hardy Fellow in Conservation Biology, Harvard University and Collin O’Mara, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation—and panels of experts will examine the future for conservation biology and discuss the challenges ahead for preserving Vermont's natural heritage. Other panelists biologists from Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service as well as a number of NGOs. Perhaps of interest to us in Vermont is Chad Wilsey, who worked on the models for Audubon's new climate change assessment. More details about the conference can be found here: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/site/html/L2L.htm This link is to the agenda: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/site/html/L2Lagenda.htm Registration is $15, which includes lunch from Sugar Snap. Additionally, that evening, the Vermont Natural Resources Council will be holding their Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival at Main Street Landing. I hope you can attend what will be an interesting and provocative event. Allan -- ************************************************** Allan M. Strong Rubenstein School of Env and Natural Resources 200L Aiken Center 81 Carrigan Drive Burlington, VT 05405 802-656-2910 **************************************************