Fragmentation and invasive species are threatening the mosaic of habitats encompassed by our forest ecosystems. Sharing information and gaining a better understanding of our forested resources are key to their preservation and conservation. To aid in the effort to share information and gain an understand- ing of our forest habitats, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Conservation Symposium Series will host the Forest Habitat Ecology and Conservation Symposium on September 5, 2003.

Participants will attend multiple contributed sessions with themes ranging from forest food webs to biodiversity given by forest biologists, ecologists and conservation specialists. Behind-the-scenes tours of the Museum's biological collections and conservation biology areas also will be available. A panel discussion will end the symposium. The Museum recently established a Center for Conservation and Biodiversity. This Center encompasses the Departments of Botany, Vertebrate and Invertebrate Zoology, the Natural Areas Division, the Ohio Conservation Alliance (OCA) and a planned Ornithology Re- search Center. Center staff is establishing a series of conser- vation symposia. This year’s theme is Forest Habitat Ecology and Conservation. The main goal of the symposium is to educate and provide information to land managers in Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Others in the target audience are representatives from land trusts, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Museum members and those of the general public who are interested in regional conservation issues. The key- note speakers are Dr. Bruce G. Peterjohn and Dr. Lisa Petit. Dr. Peterjohn will speak on forest fragmentation and its effect on forest birds. He is a Wildlife Biologist at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. Dr. Petit, Wildlife Biologist at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), will talk about her research on the effect of deer on forest birds in her park and the Cleveland Metroparks. Following the keynote speakers, participants will be able to choose from breakout sessions in two sections. Talks will run 15 minutes plus five minutes for Q&A. Museum staff–Dr. Jim Bissell, Curator of Botany and Director of Natural Areas; Dr. Joe Keiper, Curator of Inverte- brate Zoology, and Dr. Tim Matson, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology–also will contribute to the breakout sessions.

◄ Section 1a–Food Webs/Biogeography/Forest Succession

◄ Section 1b–Rare and Invasive Species

◄ Section 2a–Aquatic Systems

◄ Section 2b–Ecotone Ecology/Fires

During the lunch break, students who have received research grants from the OCA will do poster presentations on their research. The OCA is a collaborative association of Cleveland-area professionals dedicated to research, conservation and education. This consortium facilitates multidisciplinary pro- jects, including awarding mini grants for students to conduct research projects supervised by OCA members. Another key aim of the symposium is to bring 25 local K-12 teachers to- gether with the forest ecologists and conservationists. With the new more rigorous state science education standards, teachers are required to teach more advanced concepts and use innovative teaching techniques when presenting these concepts to their students. The Forest Habitat Ecology and Conservation Symposium and the follow-up session will help teachers accomplish both. A follow-up session on September 6, 2003, will be required of participating teachers. The follow-up session will train teachers to use Project Learning Tree, a nationally acclaimed environmental education curriculum de- signed to teach about the forest habitat. The follow-up session is designed to help teachers put what they learn in the scientific portion of the symposium together with sound educational pedagogy.

On September 4, participants will be able to attend one of 12 field trips to outstanding regional forests. Sites will include:

◄ Little Mountain (Lake County)

◄ West Woods Park (Geauga County)

◄ Mueller Woods (Lorain County)

◄ Edison Woods (Erie County)

◄ Singer Lake Preserve (Summit County)

◄ Grand River Terraces Preserve (Ashtabula County)

◄ Cathedral Woods and North Kingsville Sand Barrens (Ashtabula County)

The last three trips will visit four of the Museum’s 26 nature preserves, encompassing nearly 3,500 acres, throughout Ohio.

Healthy forests, clean rivers, wetlands and green space en- hance the quality of life for residents of any region. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is at the forefront of land preservation in this area. As part of its commitment to con- servation, the Museum is hosting the first in a series of symposia on Forest Habitat Ecology and Conservation, on September 5, 2003.

If you are interested in joining us or would like additional information, please 216-231-1177 or 800-317-9155 extension 279.