Listserv, May 2006

To: GCRC listserv subscribers
Subject line: May announcements

We have quite a few announcements for you this month. There is a solicitation for conference submissions (item 1) plus information on some funding opportunities (items 2-6) and position vacancies (items 7-9).

1. 2007 USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) National Water Conference, January 28-February 1, 2007, Savannah Marriott Riverfront, Savannah, GA.
Abstract proposals for oral and poster presentations will be accepted on the website (below) from June through September 2006. Concurrent sessions will feature over 100 oral presentations in the following areas:
* Agricultural Best Management Practices
* Rural Environmental Protection
* Conservation and Resource Management
* Watershed Assessment & Restoration
* Human Dimensions
In addition, space is available for 150 posters and exhibits to highlight results on research, education, and extension programs addressing water quality and quantity issues locally, regionally, and nationally. The program committee will review all abstract submittals, make selection of oral and poster presenters and notify authors in October 2006. The conference agenda will list all presenters by the end of October.
The USDA-Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) National Water Program brings university scientists, instructors, and extension educators into more effective and efficient partnerships with Federal interagency priority programs while addressing water issues in U.S. agriculture. This program also provides the flexibility necessary for CSREES to bring the resources of researchers, instructors, and extension educators into national initiatives and programmatic partnerships that target evolving water needs.
The conference will provide opportunities for water professionals engaged in research, extension, and education to share knowledge and ideas, to identify and update emerging issues, and to network with the CSREES National Water Program and partner organizations. For more information, please visit the website --
http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/swetc/waterconf/2007/home07.htm
Sincerely,
Greg Jennings, North Carolina State University,
Planning Committee Chair
[Thanks to Mark Risse for alerting us to the announcement]

2. Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.: Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences (GRAD)
http://grantsnet.org/search/pgm_info.cfm?pgm_id=2820
Deadline: June 1, 2006
The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences offers support to eligible institutions for projects that propose to advance the science of chemistry in innovative ways. Proposals are invited in any area consistent with the Foundation's broad objective of advancing the chemical sciences. For projects that require sustaining support, note that the Special Grant Program is intended to seed the initial phases, with the expectation that grant recipients will find continuing funding from other sources.

3. The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission will be releasing a Request For Proposals shortly for simulation modeling and reservoir study for the Altamaha river basin. The proposals will likely be due June 5. To request copy of the RFP, contact Brent Dykes at 706-542-3065 (email: bdykes@gaswcc.org).
[Thanks to Kathryn Hatcher for the information]

4. Charles A. & Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation: Lindbergh Grants Program
http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/grants/
Deadline: June 8, 2006
Each year, The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation presents Lindbergh Grants for research and educational projects that will improve the quality of life through a balance between technology and nature. Awarded in amounts up to $10,580 each (a symbolic figure representing the cost of the "Spirit of St. Louis" in 1927), the Grants are made in numerous areas of special interest to Charles and Anne Lindbergh, including aviation/aerospace, agriculture, arts and humanities, biomedical research and adaptive technology, conservation of natural resources, education, exploration, health and population sciences, intercultural communication, oceanography, waste disposal management, water resource management, and wildlife preservation. Applications for Lindbergh Grants are reviewed annually and evaluated by two panels - one consisting of individuals knowledgeable in Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's philosophy of balance and the other made up of technical experts in the various fields in which Lindbergh Grants are awarded. Further evaluations and recommendations to the Lindbergh Foundation Board of Directors are made by the Grants Selection Committee of the Board, with the Board making the final decisions. Unfunded projects judged to be deserving of special recognition are awarded Lindbergh Grant Certificates of Merit.

5. Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: Solicitation for Projects in EPA Regions 3, 4, and 6 and 7
http://www.epa.gov/emap/remap/html/projects/2006RFA.pdf
Deadline: June 13, 2006
The purpose of the solicited research is to provide States and Tribes with methods and approaches for incorporating statistically valid ecological monitoring data into their environmental decision making. For the 2006 solicitation in Region 4, EPA is seeking proposals which meet specific priority needs within the region: The use of a probabilistic approach to answer questions about the condition and fate of geographically isolated wetlands in coastal plain regions of the southeast in Region 4.

6. Air Force Office of Scientific Research: Young Investigator Research Program
http://grantsnet.org/search/pgm_info.cfm?pgm_id=3731
Deadline: July 20, 2006
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has announced its Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) to support scientists and engineers who have received Ph.D. or equivalent degrees in the last 5 years and who show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. The objective of this program is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering, enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators, and increase opportunities for the young investigators to recognize Air Force mission and the related challenges in science and engineering. The individual award will be made to a U.S. institution of higher education, industrial laboratory, or nonprofit research organization where the principal investigator is employed on a full-time basis and holds a regular position.

7. The Watershed Protection Branch of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Environmental Protection Division) is announcing the formation of 5 new Assistant Branch Chief positions to serve as Watershed Managers reporting to the Branch Chief. These positions will complete the leadership team to fully integrate watershed protection in Georgia.
Applications are due June 2.
General Responsibilities: environmental outcomes within the specified basin, coordination of individual programs and District offices to achieve the desired environmental outcomes, articulation of the environmental outcomes both internally and externally to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, provide leadership on basin issues and priorities to programs, District offices, permittees, and other stakeholders. Travel will be extensive. Unique Characteristics of each position:
--- Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin - Urban issues, large complex permittees, primarily surface water with groundwater in the lower basin area, coordination with Alabama and Florida.
--- Coosa/Tallapoosa/Tennessee - Growing communities, coordination with Alabama.
--- Savannah/Ogeechee - Growing communities, coastal issues, groundwater issues, coordination with South Carolina.
--- Oconee/Ocmulgee/Altamaha - Growing communities, coastal issues, agricultural needs.
--- Ochlockonee/Suwannee/Satilla/St. Marys - Growing communities, coastal issues, agricultural needs.
The salary range for the position is from $61,090 to 106,807.
For more information (including applicant qualifications), please refer to the EPD website (http://www.gaepd.org/Documents/careers.html).
If you are interested in applying, please send a memo/cover letter to Linda MacGregor and attach a completed Georgia Merit System application (obtained here - http://www.gms.state.ga.us/agencyservices/forms.asp#employment )
Georgia DNR – EPD, Watershed Protection Branch
Linda MacGregor, Branch Chief
4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30354
Phone: 404.675.6232 Fax: 404.675.6246
[Thanks to Kathryn Hatcher for the information]

8. Field/Laboratory Technician Wanted, Wetland Ecosystems Ecology
The Wetland Ecosystems Ecology Lab and the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program at Florida International University are seeking a field and laboratory technician to immediately fill a position. This position entails work in both the freshwater and estuarine wetlands of Everglades National Park as part of the FCE LTER Program (http://fcelter.fiu.edu). The successful applicant should have field research experience, preferably in wetland ecosystems. Boat and vehicle operations are essential to this position, and experience with both is important. Airboat experience is a plus. The position involves maintaining the field sampling sites, collecting a range of ecological and biogeochemical samples and data, some laboratory sample analysis, and data entry and management. This full-time position will be located at FIU in Miami (http://www.fiu.edu). Full benefits will be provided with this position, and salary will be commensurate with experience. A M.S. degree in an appropriate field is desired but not required. Applications will be considered until the position has been filled, but those received before May 31 2006 will receive first priority. Applicants should send Curriculum Vitae or resume and a list of 3 references to Daniel L. Childers (childers@fiu.edu ), or send them to: Wetland Ecosystems Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences & SERC, Florida International University, University Park - OE 148, Miami FL 33199, c/o Daniel L. Childers (305 348 3101).

9. Research Technician Position Available (full or part-time) Dr. Julie Whitbeck at the University of New Orleans is seeking a well-qualified individual to assist with terrestrial ecology field research and lab work. The position will be based at the UNO Lakefront campus in the Department of Biological Sciences. Individuals with a BS (or BA) degree in Biology, Ecology, or Environmental Science are preferred, but applicants with other relevant qualifications (i.e. significant terrestrial ecology or other environmental research experience) will be considered. The technician will work primarily on a project assessing the ecology of healthy and stressed cypress swamps. His or her duties will include field work in cypress swamps, substantial digitizing work (image analysis) using a computer, some plant and soil analysis, data entry and management, and some data analysis, as well as miscellaneous tasks associated with being an active member of a terrestrial ecology lab. Familiarity working with spreadsheet software and/or with digitizing or image analysis, and/or experience with basic plant and soil chemical analysis, is a plus. Experience with small boat operation is also useful. This job will provide opportunities for training in all of these skills. The individual should be able to work both independently and in a group setting and under hot, humid and buggy conditions. The technician will be expected to employ effective communication and organizational skills and to work with care and attention to detail. A valid driver’s license and good driving record are essential. This position entails mainly regular weekday working hours, plus monthly 5-day trips for field work which may include weekend days. Wages will be commensurate with qualifications.
Julie L. Whitbeck, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences, CRC-200
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70148
tel. 504-280-1201 (office)
225-614-5660 (cell phone)
e-mail Julie_Whitbeck@alum.swarthmore.edu
or jwhitbec@uno.edu