Cary Conference VIII Convened: April 27 - 29, 1999 Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook, NY
Conference Summary

The eighth Cary Conference, was held at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York April 27-29, 1999.  It focused on urban ecology education and the need to foster among all people an understanding of cities as ecosystems. Nowhere on earth is the challenge for ecological understanding greater, and yet more urgent, than in those parts of the globe where human activity is most intense – cities. People need to understand how cities work as ecological systems to take control of the vital links between human actions and environmental quality, and work for an ecologically and economically sustainable future. An ecosystem approach integrates biological, physical and social factors and embraces historical and geographical dimensions, providing our best hope for coping with the complexity of cities.

The biennial Cary Conferences were inaugurated by IES in 1985, with each Conference examining a fundamental issue in ecology to advance the field and foster synthesis. The publications, new ideas and collaborations from the first seven Cary Conferences have gained worldwide recognition for the series. This was the first Cary Conference on ecology education, and a first-of-its-kind effort to bring together leaders in the biological, physical and social dimensions of urban ecosystem research with leading education researchers, administrators and practitioners. The Conference developed these key messages:

• Ecological understanding applies to cities as much as it does to other places where human influences are less apparent. Thus, cities are ecosystems and people are a part of them.
• Ecology education must involve direct and frequent study of local organisms and environments. Thus, city dwellers should learn ecology by studying all aspects of their local, urban ecosystems.
• More attention must be paid to teaching about urban ecosystems in formal and informal education programs, from pre-school through college and beyond.

Over eighty scientists, education researchers, educators and leaders of education reform from around the world attended as Conference Participants, including 10 educators and administrators served as Conference Fellows. The focus was on integrating urban ecosystem education into schools, colleges and universities and through museums, environmental centers and other informal programs. Cary Conferences are designed to promote critical discussion of fundamental ecological concepts with minimal distraction through a combination of plenary presentations and discussions, poster paper sessions, and small discussion groups. We considered in depth: What do we mean by understanding cities as ecosystems?, Why is it important for students and the public to have this understanding?, and How can this understanding be achieved? A distinguished group of authors gave Plenary Talks and arewriting book chapters for 20 topics addressing our key questions. These chapters, along with short papers from two Current Frontiers Forums and ad hoc contributions from individuals and discussion groups, will be published in a book that will communicate the outcomes of our discussions to the larger community of scientists and educators. There is no comparable book that develops the theoretical and conceptual foundations for ecosystem education in general nor for education about urban ecosystems in particular. The book will provide a broad diversity of academics, practitioners and decision makers with inspiration and guidance for action.