The annual meeting of the International Association for Society and Natural Resources will be held at the University of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta June 17-21, 2012. The theme of the event, “Linking North and South: Responding to Environmental Change” celebrates the host city’s role as a gateway to Canada’s north, and the association’s holistic focus on global environmental issues of interest to diverse communities. We expect an attendance of 500-800 research scientists, government agency managers, graduate students, non-profit employees, and private consultants. Our goal is to promote learning and discussion about the intersection of social issues and natural resource management and policy. The meeting focus encompasses a wide variety of international and national resource management issues, such as tourism and recreation, environmental justice, and collaborative stakeholder processes, the social impacts of energy development and the influence of climate change on communities and resources. Since its inception in 1986, the ISSRM has become the premier scientific meeting for academic and government researchers, students, land managers and NGO representatives who are broadly interested in the human dimensions of natural resources and the environment.
In recent years ISSRM was held in Sabah Malaysia, Madison, Wisconsin USA, Corpus Christi, Texas USA, and Vienna, Austria. The 2012 host city, Edmonton has many great features to offer attendees; it boasts one of the largest urban park systems in North America which provides extensive recreational opportunities to visitors. A range of dining and entertaining options are also available in this city of one million people. Edmonton’s international airport is 30 minutes from the city centre and conference venue at the University of Alberta. Links to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, approximately 4 hours away, are also available from the airport and downtown Edmonton. Edmonton serves as an industrial service centre for the oil and gas, agriculture and forestry sectors and is the capital of the province of Alberta. It is characterized by highly progressive environmental and social planning and programs. Field trips during ISSRM 2012 are being organized for attendees to learn more about the innovative programs and challenges that characterize Edmonton and its region. Plenary sessions are still being finalized; however, two plenary speakers are confirmed: Dr. David Schindler (Professor, University of Alberta) will speak about Advocacy, Academics, and Making a Difference and Dr. Gary Machlis (Science Advisor to the Director of the US National Parks Service) will speak about Environmental management and research in the context of Hope and Devastation.
You can also find more info at the ISSRM 2012 home page http://www.issrm2012.iasnr.org/ for event details and http://www.iasnr.org/index.php?L1=left_home.php&L2=body_home.php for information about the organizing association (IASNR).
