 |
Cary
Conference VIII
Convened: April 27 - 29, 1999
Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Millbrook, NY
|
 |
What is a Cary Conference?
The Institute of Ecosystem Studies (IES), a not-for-profit institution dedicated to the
creation, dissemination and application of knowledge about ecological systems, held the
first Cary Conference in 1985. Thanks to the commitment and leadership of IES Director Dr.
Gene E. Likens, additional Cary Conferences have been held every two years since then to
stimulate new thinking and research in ecology and related fields. These prestigious
three-day meetings emphasize active discussion and examination of timely issues such as
the importance of long-term ecological studies or the ecological basis of conservation. |
Cary Conferences are different from many other conferences in several ways:
Diversity of Participants – Participants come from disparate disciplines,
ranging from federal agency administration to basic research, education, the law and
natural areas conservation, and represent groups that do not often interact at national
and international meetings. All attendees are challenged to extend their thinking beyond
the limits of their normal work.
Format – Organizers combine provocative talks with time for formal and
informal discussions and breaks for recreation and personal reflection. Because the focus
is on the development of ideas and professional relationships, invitees are expected to
participate for the entire three days. The conferences provide an unusual opportunity for
people to gather with other leaders from around the world in a pleasant setting, free from
distractions.
Funding – The Institute, with the aid of several funders (including NSF,
USDA, NASA, EPA and others), pays for the travel expenses and accommodations and meals of
all participants throughout the entire conference. There are no registration fees and no
honoraria nor other compensation for the time participants spend in preparing for and
attending the conference.
Size – The Cary Conferences are limited to 70-100 invited participants.
This balances the need for diversity of expertise and perspectives, with the desire to
foster easy interaction in a congenial setting.
Products – Each Cary Conference results in a significant publication, in
most cases a book. These disseminate the provocative thoughts and visions of speakers, the
views and syntheses that come from discussions, and the participants' recommendations for
advancing the field to a larger audience of interested professionals. The conferences also
lead to papers in journals and symposia at meetings of professional associations, and have
given rise to important new directions in ecological research and practice.
This combination of elements creates a unique forum that facilitates the free
interchange of ideas and viewpoints of leaders, encourages open discussion and exploration
of alternative views, and synthesizes the work of many individuals to chart new directions
and identify areas in need of further experimentation.
The first seven Cary Conferences and the publications that resulted are listed below.
- Cary Conference I -- 1985. The Status and Future of Ecosystem Science.
Likens, G. E., J. J. Cole, J. Kolasa, J. B. McAninch, M. J. McDonnell, G. G. Parker,
and D. L. Strayer. 1987. Status and future of ecosystem science. Occasional Publication of
the Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Number 3, Millbrook, New York. 23 pp
- Cary Conference II -- 1987. Long-Term Studies in Ecology: Approaches and Alternatives.
Likens, G. E. (ed.). 1989. Long-Term Studies in Ecology: Approaches and Alternatives.
Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. 214 pp.
- Cary Conference III -- 1989. Comparative Analyses of Ecosystems: Patterns, Mechanisms,
and Theories.
Cole, J., G. Lovett, and S. Findlay (eds.). 1991. Comparative Analyses of Ecosystems:
Patterns, Mechanisms and Theories. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. 375 pp.
- Cary Conference IV -- 1991. Humans as Components of Ecosystems: Subtle Human Effects and
Ecology of Populated Areas.
McDonnell, M. J., and S. T. A. Pickett (eds.). 1993. Humans as Components of
Ecosystems: The Ecology of Subtle Human Effects and Populated Areas. Springer-Verlag New
York, Inc. 364 pp.
- Cary Conference V -- 1993. Linking Species and Ecosystems.
Jones, C. G., and J. H. Lawton (eds.). 1995. Linking Species and Ecosystems. Chapman
& Hall, Inc., New York. 387 pp.
- Cary Conference VI -- 1995. Enhancing the Ecological Basis of Conservation:
Heterogeneity, Ecosystem Function and Biodiversity.
Pickett, S. T. A., R. S. Ostfeld, M. Shachak, and G. E. Likens (eds.). 1997. The
Ecological Basis of Conservation: Heterogeneity, Ecosystems, and Biodiversity. Chapman
& Hall, New York. 466 pp.
- Cary Conference VII -- 1997. Successes, Limitations and Frontiers in Ecosystem Science.
Pace, M. L., and P. M. Groffman (eds.). 1998. Successes, Limitations, and Frontiers in
Ecosystem Science. Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. 528 pp.