The recent LTER All Scientists Meeting proved very successful in energizing existing cross-site projects and in identifying new research initiatives, says Robert Waide, executive director of the LTER Network Office, which organized the meeting.
The meeting drew more than 700 registered students, scientists, and educators from at least a dozen different countries, representing all LTER sites and ILTER regions, as well as several program directors from the National Science Foundation."The ideas generated from bringing this group together for common brainstorming is invaluable," Bob Waide says. "It’s important to spread the participation and leadership among a larger sample of the Network," Waide adds. "Student participation is good, but considering the benefit to the Network, it could be better and we’ll be looking for methods for improvement." Waide also notes there was much positive feed back from participants, including several National Science Foundation program officers. And follow-up activities already underway.
"It was an outstanding meeting," says David Coleman of Coweeta LTER. "The poster sessions were a bit crowded," Dave recalls, "but maybe it encouraged folks to gather round and cut loose with the important questions.... This is a really hard working group, and I am proud to be a part of such a productive group." "My compliments to all of you..." comments James Gosz, "for an excellent All Scientists’ Meeting." Gosz notes that the NSF people were "very pleased," and the workshops were "extremely productive... especially the Research Initiative Workshops, which will be crucial to our long-term strategic research efforts." Keep eyes and ears open for more information about these initiatives! Now the real work begins. The LTER Network Office has already sent information regarding funding for follow-up workshops. Awardees for mini-grants will be notified by Bob Waide.