SCB Social Science Working Group 2006 Business Meeting

SCB Social Science Working Group 2006 Business Meeting SSWG: strengthening conservation social science and its application to conservation practice. June 26, 2006 www. conbio. org/Working. Groups/SSWG

Agenda SSWG overview – Mission – History – Finances Committee reports Questions/feedback Other issues or ideas? SSWG Social

SSWG mission & vision The mission of the SSWG is to strengthen conservation social science and its application to conservation practice. In five years, we envision: – conservation social science fully integrated within the structure, activities, and membership of SCB – increased social science awareness and capacity among conservation scientists and practitioners; – widespread recognition of the SSWG as the leading organization for integration of social science into the science and practice of biodiversity conservation.

SSWG goals The SSWG has three principal goals: 1. Advance the development and dissemination of social scientific knowledge relevant to the conservation of biological diversity. 2. Foster the use of social scientific knowledge to resolve conservation problems. 3. Develop and carry out organizational core functions efficiently and effectively.

SSWG history 2002 – People & Conservation meeting theme 2003 – – – Published “Conservation and the Social Sciences” Organized SCB social science workshop Social Science Working Group (SSWG) established Email discussion list launched Website launched Christensen Foundation grant ($12, 000)

SSWG history (cont’d) 2004 – – Bylaws adopted Organized SCB workshop Held 1 st business meeting Interim Board established 2005 – – Board elected 9 Committees launched Awarded 5 travel grants & 12 SCB memberships Organized 2 SCB sessions • Conservation and the Social Sciences: Lessons from the Field • Social Science Tools for Conservation Practitioners: Current Opportunities and Future Directions

SSWG Board (2005 -2006) Officers – – President – Mike Mascia Vice-President – Rich Wallace Secretary – Nejem Raheem Chief Financial Officer – Oliver Pergams Committee Chairs – – – – – Audit – Carol Saunders Communications – Nejem Raheem Conservation – Diane Russell Education – William Forbes Membership – Peter Wilshusen Nominations – Katrina Brandon Policy – Jennifer Jones Program – Rich Wallace Student Affairs – Josh Drew

Recent history 2006 – Annual work plan completed – Silas Siakor awarded Goldman prize for Africa – SSWG recognized for leadership

SSWG current finances Allocation of $12, 000 Christiansen Award

SSWG future finances • Christensen represents sole funding source – Activities conducted strictly on volunteer basis • Need to decide: – How to allocate remaining $1600 Christiansen funds – If we want to award additional moneys – If we will have activities that require additional funds • If additional funding required, possible sources include: – Seeking donations – Writing grants

Committee reports • • • Membership Program Policy Conservation Education Student Affairs Communication Audit Nominations

Membership Committee Mission the Membership Committee coordinates general SSWG membership activities. Committee Members – – Peter Wilshusen, Bucknell University (chair) Brian Czech, Virginia Tech (chair elect) David Bray, Florida International Univ. Jan van der Ploeg, Leiden Univ. Activities – Expand SSWG membership – Develop online directory of conservation social scientists. – Engage membership

SSWG membership June 1, 2006 # Members # Countries represented # Student members 591 52 111

SSWG membership (cont’d) Country USA Members 428 Canada 27 United Kingdom 14 Mexico 11 Kenya 7 S Africa 6 Australia 5 Bolivia 5 Brazil 5 China 5 India 5 Other 72

Expand SSWG Membership • Work with Communications Committee to develop information sheet & message. • Solid foundation based in individual recruiting efforts. • Next step: launch wider communications/membership campaign to tap potential. • Near term goal: 1, 000 members for South Africa meeting.

Online Expert Directory • Initial discussions with SCB membership administrator • Existing directory on SCB website • Search for (volunteer) assistance

Engage Membership • Work with Communications Committee: information available on website. • Listserve: expand discussion. • Expand group member involvement in SSWG activities.

Program Committee Mission – create forums and mechanisms for information exchange and learning within SCB, with other professional societies, and within SCB journals. Committee members – – Richard Wallace (chair), Ursinus College Andrew Millington, Texas A&M University Murray Rudd, Memorial University of Newfoundland Christopher Vaughn, University of Reading

SCB Annual Meetings & Section Meetings

SCB internal involvement Working with Board of Governors to integrate social science into the workings of the Society

Social science in Conservation Biology

Conservation social science pubs

Collaborate with other professional societies United States Society for Ecological Economics

Policy Committee Mission to aid conservation decision-makers inside and outside of government by developing scientific briefs, position statements, and other resource materials. Activities focus on two general policy arenas: 1. Policy interventions introducing scientific knowledge and methodology into conservation policy. 2. Policy interventions advocating specific conservation actions by governments or other major institutions. Committee members – – Jennifer Jones, International Honors Program (chair) Dan Brockington, U. of Manchester Barend Erasmus, U. of Witswatersrand Kristin Carden, Steptoe & Johnson LLP We welcome new members to the Policy Committee!

Develop protocol for policy engagement Two categories of policy interventions – Strategic policy activities • annual policy plan – Externally-driven, ad hoc issues • • Evaluation criteria of ad hoc issues Possible SSWG responses to ad hoc issues Moving forward – Protocols and guidelines finalized by August 2006 – Draft Annual Policy Plan by October 2006

Coordinate with SCB Policy Committee (PC) Strong relationship with SCB PC and BOG – Injecting social science into overall SCB – SSWG as a resource for informing larger SCB Policy Moving forward – Ongoing coordination with SCB PC – Submit draft yearly SSWG Policy Plan – Develop SSWG expertise roster (We Need You!)

Develop & disseminate resource materials Goals – – Deliverables consistent with SSWG Strategic Policy Plan Develop a few targeted high-impact products Identify and catalyze member-driven resources Review externally-driven potential materials Moving forward – – Identify issues that merit development via Policy Plan Review & disseminate draft resource materials (Dec 2006; deliver 2007)

Conservation Committee Mission The SSWG Conservation Committee develops resource materials and conducts activities to build social science capacity among conservation practitioners. Committee membership – – – – Diane Russell, USAID (chair) Rodolfo Tello, U. of Maryland Nora Haenn, Arizona State University Derick Fay, U. of California-Berkeley Michael Johnson, USDA Jenny Springer, WWF-US Chuck Willer, Coast Range Association Mark Calamia, U. of Colorado-Boulder Activities – Compile & disseminate conservation social science tools – Develop the conservation social science virtual resource center (VRC) – http: //wwfblogs. org/rodolfo/toolkit. htm – Hold capacity building workshops as needed

Education Committee Mission – the SSWG Education Committee creates forums and mechanisms for information exchange and learning among educators and researchers. Committee members – – – Bill Forbes, Stephen F. Austin U. (chair) Rinku Chowdhury, U. Miami Stephen Williams, Earthwatch Atlaf Hussain Dyana La. Rosa, Stephen F. Austin U. Activities – Compile conservation social science syllabi – Develop series of conservation social science working papers – Develop short courses in conservation social science

Compile conservation social science syllabi Collected 24 syllabi – – – – Anthropology: 4 Economics: 1 Geography: 3 Political Science: 0 Psychology: 4 Sociology: 4 Interdisciplinary: 4 Additional syllabi needed – submit to Bill Forbes, Education Chair (forbesw@sfasu. edu)

Develop working papers series Goal – provide a forum for conservation social science research, especially successful application of social science tools and approaches to conservation policy and practice. – promote current research in the final stages of completion Draft guidelines – – – Submissions reviewed for appropriate content No official peer review Follow Conservation Biology guidelines Papers reside on SSWG website indefinitely Author retains copyright & authority to remove the paper Replies encouraged (post on website? SSWG discussion list? ) More information: Bill Forbes, Education Chair (forbesw@sfasu. edu)

Develop short courses SCB 2006 – Conservation Economics – Community Conservation SCB 2007 – Practitioner focus? – Build on existing programs – Africa-relevant topics

Student Affairs Committee Mission represent student interests and coordinate SSWG activities designed to meet student needs Committee members – – – – Joshua Drew, Boston University (Chair) Kate Bigney, Dalhousie University Adam Henne, University of Georgia Valerie Hickey, Duke University Shawn Margles, Antioch New England Institute Nejem Raheem, University of New Mexico Jen Shaffer, University of Georgia Sandra Znajda, Dalhousie University

Who we are • 111 students • 27 Countries represented • 6 regions

What have we done? • Built a network of conservation students • Developed a tool kit for graduate students interested in trans-disciplinary conservation • Prepared a manuscript for publication • Compiled job and funding opportunities – Over 60 employment opportunities from internships to directorships – Over 20 funding opportunities across the globe

What is left to do? • Continue to increase student numbers • Increase geographic representation • Update and expand databases • Build capacity across disciplinary boundaries for future conservation work • Formalize internship opportunities

Communications Committee Mission – Coordinate SSWG general communication efforts Committee members – Nejem Raheem, U. New Mexico (Chair) – Sheri Stephanson, Grameen Foundation – Nathalie Walker, Greenpeace – Kirsten Neke – Anybody want to join? Current activities: – – – Communications strategy SSWG website SSWG discussion list SCB newsletter Outreach materials

Proposed Communications Strategy Expand communications committee and outlets Strengthen written and visual aesthetic Decide… – – – What do we communicate? Where and how will we communicate? Who will play what roles?

SSWG website Website updated and redesigned: www. conbio. org/workinggroups/sswg Recent additions: – CSS syllabi (if you teach, or know of any, please contribute) – graduate student toolkit Future additions: – CSS Toolkit (if you have any ideas, please contribute) – Expert Directory – Funding Opportunities

Discussion List

Discussion List April 2006 – Messages: 104 – Messagers: 12 • 10 US • 1 UK • 1 Sweden This has improved lately but we still need more participation!

SSWG newsletter Regular contributions to SCB newsletter Keep the community updated about our doings Recent highlights include “Conservation Social Science: What’s in the Black Box? ” Send submissions to nejemraheem@yahoo. com

SSWG outreach materials We have: – created the 2 -pager you hold in your hands – Sent out material to various professional organizations We are working on several topic-specific fliers for different committees Can you think of any group we should reach? Contact: nejemraheem@yahoo. com

Audit Committee Mission – the Audit Committee coordinates internal oversight of SSWG accounting and financial reporting processes. Members – Carol Saunders (chair), Chicago Zoological Society – Amara Brook, Santa Clara University – John Fraser, Wildlife Conservation Society Activities – Review 2005 SSWG financial statements – Develop format for SSWG Annual Report

Audited Statement of Activities January 1 – December 2005 INCOME Grants EXPENSES Student travel/registration Student memberships & subscriptions Total Expenses 12, 000. 00 9, 708. 19 654. 00 10, 362. 19 Net Assets at beginning of year $ 12, 000. 00 Net Assets at end of year $ 1, 637. 81

Annual Report format ideas Proposed audiences – Current SSWG members – Future SSWG members; – Current & Potential donors Timeframe – Calendar year Page one – Mission of SSWG – List of committees & members Committee reports – One page for each committee – Provide detail of accomplishments toward work plan goals (narrative & figures) Summary of SSWG finances for the fiscal year

Nominations Committee Mission coordinate SSWG activities associated with SSWG and SCB elections. Committee members – Katrina Brandon, Conservation International (chair) – Volunteers welcome! Activities – Manage 2006 SSWG Board elections – Develop selection criteria for SSWG Board candidates – Coordinate SSWG input into SCB Bo. G & Section elections

Manage SSWG Board elections 2006 Elections – 4 seats open • Political Science – Mike Mascia • Economics – Nejem Raheem – Brian Czech – Murray Rudd • 2 At-large (inc. 1 student) – – – Josh Drew (student) Jennifer Jones Amber Himes Kunga Ngece Nicholas Patricia Zaradic

Questions?

Other Ideas? ? ? What further steps should the SSWG take to strengthen the contribution of social science to conservation?

2003 & 2004 Workshop Recommendations 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. **Add language to SCB’s mission & aims **Add language into SCB’s values & ethics *Develop social science tools for practitioners Co-author interdisciplinary articles Flag social science-relevant Con. Bio articles w/keywords *Document social science applications to conservation practice Develop best practices **Give a paper or host a small symposium at Annual Meeting Help define key conservation research questions Develop ‘policy statement’ on role of the social sciences **Nominate social science representative to SCB BOG Identify barriers, & strategies for overcoming them, through case studies. Cross-disciplinary graduate training programs Collaborate to build a shared vocabulary Lobby for interdisciplinary research funding & rewards

2005 Business Meeting recommendations 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. **Host symposium & workshop @ SCB 2006 *Develop more effective definitions for social science terms and tools Articles in Conservation Biology and Conservation in Practice should list social science key words. *Use the SSWG web page for both marketing & communications. Develop SSWG website links to social science websites and networks to help expand the community. *Prepare a SSWG member directory

Ideas 2006 1. HD. gov

Next steps • • • Follow up email to participants & email list Dialogue w/Bo. G, Sections, & executive office Dialogue w/2007 organizers SSWG Social! Other?

SSWG Social! TONIGHT!!! 6: 00 – 8: 00 PM City Bar & Grill Hilton Hotel lobby All are welcome -- hope to see you there!

2005 Student membership awards – Amgalan Bayasgalan, Nat. U. Mongolia – Henning De. Klerk, Rhodes U. (S. Africa) – Erwin Brunio, U. Philippines – Ezequiel Fabiano, U. Kwa. Zulu-Natal (Angola) – Jose Flores, U. Autonoma Metropolitana (Mexico) – Llewellyn Foxcroft, U. Cape. Town (S. Africa) – – – Japhet Mwanang’ombe, College of African Wildlife Mgmt (Tanzania) Ngwenya Msawenkosi, U. Kent (Namibia) Bruno Nhancale, U. Mondlane (Mozambique) Mxolisi Sibanda, U. Witatrsrand (S. Africa) Carlos Tapia, U. Georgia (Colombia) Yao Wang, U. Internat’l Business & Econ. (China)

2005 annual meeting travel grants – Biatus Bito, professional, Papua-New Guinea – Alfonso Gonzales, professional, Mexico – Silas Siakor, professional, Liberia – Joseph Tanui, professional, Uganda – Nejem Raheem, student, USA