2006 Society for Conservation GIS and Society
for Conservation Biology Integrated Conference
June 24-28, 2006, at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.
News & Info
The Society for Conservation GIS (Geographic Information Systems) announces their ninth Annual International Conference to be held this year June 24-28 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center (info) in San Jose, California, in conjunction with the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) 20th Annual Meeting. A shared goal of the conferences is the creation of an international conservation scientist-GIS practitioner community to build conservation capacity and promote geospatial technologies at local, regional, and global levels. The conferences also share a common theme of “Conservation Without Borders”, divided into four major threads:
1. Local-level and regional-level conservation
2. Marine and freshwater conservation
3. 21st century conservation
4. Trans-boundary conservation
To derive the most benefit from this unique coordination, the Society for Conservation GIS (SCGIS) and SCB members registering for either conference will be allowed to attend all events (technical and social) of both organizations at no additional cost. Training sessions (with potential additional fees) held by either organization are open similarly to all attendees on a first-come basis.
Share Your Knowledge!
Call For Papers, Posters, Symposia, and Workshops
Download abstract submission instructions (88Kb PDF)
Although the submission deadline for papers, symposia, and workshops (
April 19, 2006) has passed,
poster abstracts are still being accepted. Click the link above to download the abstract submission instructions.
PLEASE NOTE: there will be no extension on the submission deadline this year for papers, symposia and workshops.
Date, Location, and Dimensions for Poster PresentationsPosters will be displayed throughout the meeting in Exhibit Hall 1 of the San Jose Convention Center. Please set up your poster on the morning of Sunday, June 25th , and remove it on the morning of Wednesday, June 28th.
The poster session and reception will be held on the evening of Monday, June 26th. We request that presenting authors attend the session to take advantage of opportunities to discuss their work with meeting participants.
The maximum size for posters is 5.75' wide by 3.75' tall (i.e., 69 inches x 45 inches, or 175 cm x 114 cm).
General Notes
The theme for the joint conference is “Conservation Without Borders”, with four main “threads”:
1. Local-level and regional-level conservation
2. Marine and freshwater conservation
3. 21st century conservation
4. Trans-boundary conservation
We ask that your presentation address or highlight in some way the overall theme and/or one (or more) of the four threads. While the incorporation of GIS technology is an obvious aspect of 21st century conservation, we encourage you to use your imagination to broaden the scope of your presentation to include one of the other threads as well. The sharing of this common theme and threads is one of the key ways to more tightly integrate the two conference’s activities and the relationships between participants. For more information the conference theme and ideas for your presentation, please visit the Society for Conservation Biology's
website.
Download abstract submission instructions (88Kb PDF)
Courses/Training
SCGIS All-Day Training CoursesRegister for one of three all-day training courses being offered through SCGIS. The trainings will explore GIS-based conservation tools and marine GIS applications. For those new to GIS, an introductory course is also being offered. The training courses will all be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on
Saturday, June 24th.
continue to the SCGIS courses pageSCB Short CoursesAs one of the many benefits of integrating our conference with the Society for Conservation Biology, SCGIS members are permitted to register for the short courses being offered by SCB. If you wish to register for one of these courses, please contact Erica Fleishman (
efleish@stanford.edu, 650.725.9914). Because short courses will be run concurrently, you may register for only one course. All of the SCB short courses will be offered on
Saturday, June 24th.
Field Trips
As another benefit of integrating our two conferences, SCGIS members are permitted to register for the nine field trips organized by SCB. Learn about the various field trips by clicking the link below.
Note: To register for any of the field trips please contact Erica Fleishman (
efleish@stanford.edu, 650.725.9914).
Learn more at SCB's field trips web page
Logistics & Lodging
Conference Venue
This years event will be held at the San Jose Mcery Convention Center and the San Jose Hilton & Towers, which are directly connected. Plenary sessions will be held at the San Jose Civic Auditorium located across the street from the Convention Center.
About San Jose
Recently noted as being the safest city in the United States with a population larger than 500,000 people, San Jose is now the third largest city in California and the 10th largest in the U.S. Founded in 1777, San Jose was California's first civilian settlement. It is situated northeast of the Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 50 miles (80 km) south of San Francisco and 72 miles (116 km) north of Monterey. San Jose in the month of June has an average maximum temperature of 79.2°F (26°C) and average low temperature of 54.6°F (13°C). Rainfall average is less than 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Transportation
The San Jose International Airport (SJC) is approximately three miles from the Convention Center and hotels. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located approximately 58 km north of San Jose. Shuttles run every hour between both airports. SFO is also connected to the
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains. BART also connects to CalTrain, a rail service which stops in downtown San Jose. Other nearby airports are Oakland International Airport (OAK) is approximately 45 minutes.
LodgingAll conference participants are responsible for securing their own hotel reservations/lodging arrangements. We encourage you to make reservations at the following hotels, all of which are either attached to the San Jose Convention Center or within one block. Reserving rooms at any of these hotels will help us meet lodging targets that ensure the lower rates and the complimentary use of hotel facilities for conference activities.
NOTE: as of 11 May, we are aware that our hotel blocks are filling rapidly. In the event that reservations become unavailable, or unavailable at the meeting rate, at the Marriot, Hilton, or Crowne Plaza, here are three more options:
For the nights of 23 June–28 June, single and double rooms may be available at the meeting rate of $125 at the Hotel Montgomery, a well-appointed hotel in downtown San Jose. Please specify that you are with the Society for Conservation Biology.
Rooms also may be available at the Larkspur Sainte Claire, another attractive hotel within easy walking distance of the Convention Center. Please indicate that you are with the Society for Conservation Biology.
In addition, meeting participants may wish to reserve a room at the Ramada San Jose, a two-star hotel approximately two blocks (a five-minute walk) from the Convention Center. A limited number of single rooms ($79 per night) and double rooms ($84 per night) are available from 23–28 June. Please indicate that you are with the Society for Conservation Biology.
San Jose Marriott
NOTE: Where all of the SCGIS presentations will occur, so we strongly encourage you to stay at this hotel
- 1-800-314-0935, 6:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
- Single or Double Room $125; Rollaway Bed $15
- No more than four adults and two beds, including rollaways, are permitted per room.
- Please ask for the group rate for Society for Conservation Biology
- Reservations must specify dates of arrival and departure, estimated time of arrival, and room preference (single or double, smoking or non-smoking).
- A major credit card (including expiration date) will be required to guarantee your reservation. A first night's deposit will be required. This deposit is refundable until 6:00 P.M. on the scheduled day of arrival.
- Check-in: 3:00 P.M. / Check-out: 12:00 noon
- Registered guests receive complimentary use of the hotel's fitness center, open 24 hours.
Hilton San Jose & Towers
- (408) 287-2100 or 1-800-HILTONS
FAX (408) 947-4489
- Single or Double Room $129; Additional Person $20; Towers-level Upgrade $20; Executive or Hospitality Suite $295
- Please follow this link to accesss the Hilton's reservation page for SCB. If you are making a reservation by telephone, please use the group code BIO. This will allow you to receive the group rate for the concurrent meetings of SCGIS and SCB.
- A first night's deposit (payable by major credit card) may be required. This deposit is refundable until 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival.
- Check-in: 4:00 P.M. / Check-out: 1:00 P.M.
- Registered guests receive complimentary use of the hotel's fitness center (open 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.)
Crowne Plaza San Jose
- 1-800-2-CROWNE
- Single or Double Room $125; Triple $135; Quad $145
- Please ask for the group rate for Society for Conservation Biology.
- All reservations must be guaranteed by either a first night room deposit or a major credit card. Cash or credit card deposits are refundable until 24 hours prior to scheduled arrival date. At the time of check-in, you will be required to leave either a valid credit card number of a $25 cash deposit for incidental expenses.
- Check-in: 3:00 P.M. / Check-out: 12:00 noon
- Registered guests receive complimentary use of the hotel's fitness center, open 24 hours.
Dormitories
Dormitory suites at San Jose State University, approximately four blocks from the Convention Center, also are reserved for meeting participants. Each suite has four bedrooms (two twin beds per room), two bathrooms, and a common room. Basic bed and bath linens are included in the room rate. The rate is $250 per person for a total of five nights (24–28 June). We cannot accept reservations for fewer than five nights, although you may arrive late or leave early. No more than two people may stay in one room. Guests may use university athletic facilities for a small fee. You must identify a roommate before you make a dormitory reservation (unless you wish to reserve a two-person room for $500). We cannot find a roommate for you. If you need assistance finding a roommate, you may wish to visit the bulletin board at http://www.ConservationBiology.org/2006/Bboard. Please contact Erica Fleishman efleish@stanford.edu, 650.725.9914), chair of the Steering Committee for the SCB meeting, to make reservations for the dormitory rooms.
Benefit Auction 
Tuesday, 27 June, 8:00 p.m.Society for Conservation GIS and SCB Benefit Auction
We have invited SCB to join in on our Annual Silent and Live Auction. Again we want to invite you to gather together to share treasures and artwork from around the globe. We invite you to donate an item from your culture, community, or country and come to the auction prepared to bid on some wonderful and exotic items. All donations are appreciated and cherished; no item is too big, too small, or too unusual. Suggestions for donations include
artwork, pottery, baskets, jewelry, books, photographs, specialty foods or spirits, or anything else you can think of! Share your work, your history, and your passion with other conservation colleagues.
Each item will be displayed with an auction bid sheet that provides a short description, cultural significance, origin information, and suggested minimum bid. If your donated item has a special story or unusual history, please share it with others. Please contact Michelle Kinzel at
kinzel@cox.net for any auction-related questions, including shipping arrangements if necessary.
All money received from the auction will be shared by both societies to support international and domestic scholarship programs that provide travel and training assistance to fellow conservationists from around the world. Past auctions have raised more than $10,000, helping to support many conservationists in the SCGIS Scholarship Program. Let's all try to make this the most profitable and most enjoyable auction to date.
Now Here's the Fun Part...
The theme for the evening will be a PIRATE INSPIRED BACCHANAL and is officially deemed...
Costumes are required and pirate accessories will be available in exchange for a modest sum of doubloons. We will have bandanas, eye patches, jewelry and tattoos for those with more modest ensembles. All are encouraged to prepare well for their chosen dress of the evening, as we be havin’ a costume contest! There will be
prizes,
pirate poker and a bounty of opportunities for
fun and merriment!
RememberEven if you cannot donate an item, please come to the auction ready to bid on items and socialize with other conservationists. The auction is always a highlight of the SCGIS conference.
Links
Conference Contacts
Please feel free to contact us with questions:
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in June.
Cheers,
Susan Miller, Conference Chair