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Please contact us if you wish to announce an event, a university course, a vacancy etc.

• Invitation to urban forestry professionals to participate in a process of developing data standards for urban forest data collection and recording: please visit RG 6.07.00 – Activities
  
  
• New interactive database on indicators of sustainable forest management in Europe (UNECE, FAO), New interactive database on indicators of sustainable forest management in Europe at http://w3.unece.org/pxweb/Dialog/
  
  

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

GENERAL

• UNECE/FAO outlook study: possible scenarios for the future of European forests. – Europeans have high expectations of their forests which must meet increasing and sometimes conflicting environmental, social and economic demands. Policy makers must balance the conservation of biodiversity, the need to sequester and store carbon, adaptation to a changing climate and the provision of opportunities for recreation and leisure, while also supplying wood for energy and raw material use. The European Forest Sector Outlook Study II (EFSOS II), which covers the EU 27, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, provides pictures of the consequences of today's policy choices for the forest of tomorrow. "Policy makers do have choices to make. We trust this study will help them to make the best informed decision for the future of European forests". The study is available at: http://live.unece.org/forests/outlook/welcome.html
  
  
• Champions of Asia-Pacific Forests: Two outstanding forestry practitioners will be selected as Champions of Asia-Pacific Forests and given the opportunity to attend Asia-Pacific Forestry Week 2011 in Beijing, China 7-11 November. The prize package includes a return airfare to Beijing and mid-range accommodation.
  The guidelines for nomination and nomination form for Champions of Asia-Pacific Forests are enclosed with this e-mail.  The nomination process  closes on 30 September. You may also access this information at our website: http://www.fao.org/forestry/ap-forestry-week/44156/en/.
  
  
• FAO has launched its new bimonthly Urban and Peri-urban Forestry newsletter; first issue. The archives of Forest and Trees for Healthy Cities Newsletter are available at http://km.fao.org/urbanforestry/repository/newsletter/en/.

ICSU

• ICSU's new Executive Director appointed: http://www.icsu.org/news-centre/news/top-news/icsu2019s-new-executive-director-appointed
  
  
• Press Releases from the 30th General Assembly:
  Nobel Prize winning scientist is new President of ICSU
  Responsibilities of scientists underlined by scientific community
  Research solutions for sustainability in a rapidly changing world
  New Global science initiative on Urban Health
  
  
• ICSU held its 30th General Assembly in Rome, Italy on 27-30 September 2011. View the Media Alert and Background Information on ICSU.
  
  
• ICSU is calling for nominations for the ICSU Executive Board to be elected at the 30th General Assembly of ICSU in September 2011 in Rome. Call for nomations – CV template officers – CV template ordinary members
  
  
• ICSU is spearheading a consultative Visioning Process, in cooperation with the International Social Science Council (ISSC), to explore options and propose implementation steps for a holistic strategy on Earth system research. Five Grand Challenges were identified during step 1 of the process. If addressed in the next decade, these Grand Challenges will deliver knowledge to enable sustainable development, poverty eradication, and environmental protection in the face of global change. The details of the Grand Challenges are contained in the document 'Earth System Science for Global Sustainability: The Grand Challenges', representing input from many individuals and institutions. The document is available on the Visioning website at:  http://www.icsu-visioning.org/other/grand-challenges/, and the ICSU website at: http://www.icsu.org/Gestion/img/ICSU_DOC_DOWNLOAD/3568_DD_FILE_GrandChallenges_Nov2010.pdf
  
  
• Statement by ICSU on the controversy around the 4th IPCC Assessment
  The International Council for Science (ICSU) has released a statement on the controversy around the 4th IPCC Assessment. Important issues have been raised in relation to both the interpretation of scientific knowledge, especially in making predictions of future developments, and the procedures used by the IPCC in its assessment.
  The statement is available on the ICSU website at:
  http://www.icsu.org/Gestion/img/ICSU_DOC_DOWNLOAD3031_DD_FILE_IPCCstatementICSUfin.pdf
  
  
• ICSU recently developed a new brochure to promote its activities and help explain its role in international science. The new ICSU Brochure is now available at http://www.icsu.org/Gestion/img/ICSU_DOC_DOWNLOAD/2819_DD_FILE_ICSU_A4_brochure.pdf

CBD

• United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB): The promotional video outlining the goals of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB) is now available in English on the UNDB website at: http://ww.cbd.int/2011-2020.
  
  
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) invites you to submit your views on what should be in the revised and updated Strategic Plan (SP) for the Convention for the period beyond 2010. To make the SP relevant to everyone dealing with the CBD and other Biodiversity-related Conventions, and to all other sectors that use or affect biodiversity, kindly access the electronic forum at http://www.cbd.int/sp/post2010forum/ (also available in French and Spanish) and share your views.  You can either contribute to the discussion as individual scientist or in your function as IUFRO Research Unit officeholder.
  
  
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has partnered with ECOLEX, the Gateway to Environmental Law, to provide readily accessible information on biodiversity-related laws and policies. ECOLEX is a web-based information service operated jointly by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). ECOLEX is the most comprehensive global source of national and international environmental and natural resources law and policy. Visit https://www.cbd.int/ecolex/ and learn more!
  
  

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS

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IUFRO MEETINGS

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Please note that this is just a selection. >>> All IUFRO Meetings

UNIVERSITY COURSES, SUMMER SCHOOLS AND WEBINARS

• New at Universidad Politecnica de Madrid: EIFORNAT-UPM : School of Forest Engineering and Natural Environment (Escuela de Ingeniería Forestal y del Medio Natural) at (Escuela de Ingeniería Forestal y del Medio Natural). New Courses at EIFORNAT-UPM

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FELLOWSHIPS/SCHOLARSHIPS/RESEARCH FUNDING

• Fellowship Opportunity: The faculty members within the Forest Policy Analysis and Management area of concentration in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management at Oregon State University announce the availability of a full time (0.49 FTE) fellowship for a newly accepted graduate student for the 2012/2013 academic year. The selected recipient will conduct graduate research using quantitative and qualitative tools and approaches to address research questions in the area of forest policy, forest management, or forest economics. The fellowship is available for a student pursuing either Masters (MS) or PhD-level graduate study. The successful applicant will have a record of high academic achievement, excellent writing ability, strong letters of reference, and exhibited potential for success in graduate study. The selected fellowship recipient will participate in the Department's Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) degree program. The SFM graduate program emphasizes the management of forests to meet a defined set of ecological, economic, and social criteria. The program provides a strong grounding in the principles and techniques of active management of forests to improve forest health and condition while producing a full range of products and ecosystems services. The Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management is recognized throughout the world for excellence in graduate student education, creative problem-solving research, and innovative extended education. Graduate students within the College of Forestry have access to state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and research laboratories, and the University's world class research library. Computer facilities include several microcomputer and GIS laboratories and other facilities dedicated to graduate student research. Interested applicants must 1) complete the graduate study admissions process as outlined in the Sustainable Forest Management graduate degree program advising guide (http://ferm.forestry.oregonstate.edu/academic-programs/graduate-degree) and 2) send a cover letter stating their interest in fellowship consideration and a curriculum vita or resume to Dr. Eric M. White (eric.white(at)oregonstate.edu) by January 31, 2012.
  
  
• MSc European Forestry: the call is now open. Generous Erasmus Mundus scholarships of 20,000 – 48,000 € are available on a competitive basis.  The MSc European Forestry is a top-class taught master’s programme delivered by seven prestigious European universities in partnership with a Chinese and Brazilian university. MSc European Forestry welcomes people from around the world to apply. For further information, please visit:  http://www.europeanforestry.net
  
  
• EU COST Action FP1002 PERMIT (Pathway Evaluation and pest Risk Management In Transport): the Action which deals with pathways for international movement of pests (both insects and pathogens) and what generic risk mitigation measures can be applied to reduce pest transfers. We are also looking at how people through their behaviour and perceptions can influence pest risks. More information can be found on the Action website (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/permit). For those readers in COST countries (see http://www.cost.eu/about_cost/cost_countries) there is the opportunity of Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) for Early Stage Researchers (i.e. within 8 years of post doctorate or equivalent qualification) to spend time in other COST countries to gain experience and work on topics related to the aims of the Action. Essentially, a grant of up to 2500 Euros can be offered to fund travel and subsistence. Since the Action is still relatively new, we are under-subscribed for 2011 and would welcome applicants who could carry out STSMs before the end of December.  More details can be found on the Action website or by emailing me or the STSM coordinator, Dr Rimvys Vasaitis in at SLU in Sweden (Rimvys.Vasaitis(at)slu.se).
  
  
• Ph.D. level scholarship – Wood Physics/Drying: There is an immediate opening in the Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, for a new graduate student whishing to pursue a Ph.D. degree in the area of fundamental wood physics/drying. The position is fully funded through a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for up to 4 years. Additional funding through a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) is also possible. The successful candidate will have a M.Sc. degree in Wood Science, Engineering or related field with good background in related math, statistics and physics. Experience in the area of fundamental wood-water relationships is required. Interested persons send a copy of your CV by email to  Prof. Stavros Avramidis; stavros.avramidis(at)ubc.ca
  
  
• Two PhD Fellowships available: Insect disturbance and forest dynamics. The Centre for Forest Research (Le centre d’étude de la forêt http://www.cef-cfr.ca/), the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC) and the Laurentian Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service in Quebec City are seeking two PhD students whose research will evaluate the susceptibility and vulnerability of the boreal forest to the current eastern spruce budworm outbreak. Spruce budworm outbreaks occur in eastern Canada every 30-40 years, and the students will work at the interface of entomology and forest ecology, addressing questions on outbreak severity in relation to stand characteristics. One student will focus on budworm population dynamics in black spruce forests (susceptibility) and the other will assess outbreak severity in relation to stand characteristics in the black spruce zone (vulnerability). More information: Flyer
  
  
• Master's / PhD Fellowship available: Community ecology – Brown spruce longhorn beetle: The University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton and the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) laboratories in Fredericton and Quebec City are seeking a Master’s or PhD student whose research will evaluate the impact of biotic (i.e. trophic interactions) and abiotic (i.e. climate) factors that drive the population dynamics of exotic forest insects. Using the exotic brown spruce longhorn beetle as a model system, the student will examine the patterns and processes that explain why some alien forest insect species become invasive. More information: Flyer – Application Requirements

Fellowship Programs

• USGS Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program -- Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science: 49 post doc opportunities for FY 2012 (starting Oct 1, 2011) have just been announced via the Mendenhall Research Fellowship program, see http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/. All positions are 2-year opportunities paid at the GS-12 level with benefits. Most positions are available in the field of geology but there are others, including a GeoWeb opportunity with CEGIS: http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/2012/opps/opp35.html
  
  
• WFI International Fellowship Program – Term: 6-12 months throughout 2012- Applications accepted year-round. 
  The WFI Fellowship brings professionals in natural resources to conduct a practical research project at the World Forestry Center.  In addition to projects, Fellows participate in weekly field trips, interviews and site visits to Northwest forestry organizations, research labs, universities, public and private timberlands, trade associations, mills, and corporations.  The Fellowship is a unique opportunity to learn about sustainable forestry from the Pacific Northwest forestry sector, and to work with colleagues from around the world.  Fellowships are open to any country, including U.S. citizens. The Fellowship program offers partial scholarships through the Harry A. Merlo Foundation, but all applicants must be able to cover at least 50% of the program fee. Over 85 Fellows from 27 countries have participated to date.  Applications are accepted year-round. 
  For more information:  http://wfi.worldforestry.org/index/international-fellowship.html
  
  
• Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship 2012: Two Fellowships, for up to US$ 20,000 each, will be available for 2012 to carry out research from 3 to 12 months on a wide range of biophysical, economic and social themes related to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources in developing countries. These opportunities are available thanks to support from Pioneer Hi-Bred, USA and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Australia.
  This year's themes focus on: Gene discovery in crop wild relatives; Use of plant genetic resources for adaptation to progressive climate change; Facilitating better use of genebank materials; Researching neglected and underutilized species for food and nutrition security; Policy research in support of the implementation of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; Applying economics to agrobiodiversity conservation, sustainable use and policy analysis; Farmer, trader and market strategies for adding value to crop diversity; Management of plant diseases through a better understanding of host-pathogen interactions and co-evolution. Applications may be submitted in English, French or Spanish. Deadline: 6 November 2011. For details visit: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/training/research_fellowships/vavilov_frankel_fellowship_2011.html
  
  
• The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program: Leaders for a Global Society: The HHH Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world. Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector. This year’s competition is in the fields of: (...) Agricultural Development/Agricultural Economics and Natural Resources, Environmental Policy and Climate Change. For details, visit: http://www.humphreyfellowship.org/page/97339/
  
  

AWARDS

IUFRO Awards:

Scientific Achievement Award (SAA) – More info
Outstanding Doctoral Research Award (ODRA) – More info
IUFRO Student Award for Excellence in Forest Sciences (ISA) – More info

Furthermore, the Congress will also offer:
Best Poster Award (BPA) – More info
IUFRO World Congress Host Scientific Award – More info

IUFRO News: Special Issue on recent Award Winners

Non-IUFRO Awards:

• Nordic Council Environment Prize: Once again the opportunity to nominate candidates for the Nordic Council Environment Prize is open. The theme for 2012 is biodiversity and anyone can nominate suitable individuals or organisations for the prize. The deadline for the nomination of candidates is 12 December 2011.  Read more at http://www.norden.org/en/news-and-events/news/from-sustainable-tourism-to-biodiversity-the-nordic-council-environment-prize-spans-wide.  Please note: Candidates should come from one of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, or the three autonomus areas Greenland, Faroe Islands and Aaland Islands.
  
  
• Marcus Wallenberg Prize: Research on airborne laser scanning for forest inventory is awarded the 28th Marcus Wallenberg Prize. More information at http://www.mwp.org/index.cfm?PageAction=ReadMore&id=37. IUFRO is entitled to nominate candidates! Nominations are accepted by e-mail or airmail at any time of the year!
  
  
• International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA): Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 IAIA awards. The winners will be recognized at IAIA’s 32nd annual conference in Porto, Portugal, 27 May – 1 June 2012.  A brief description of each award is below. Additional award information and an online submission form can be found at http://iaia.org/iaia-awards.aspx.  More detailed criteria are available when you click “Submit a nomination.”  Nominations are due 15 October 2011.  You need not be an IAIA member in order to make a nomination.
  
  
• UNFF Forest Heroes Programme and Awards: As part of the International Year on Forest 2011 activities, the UNFF is calling for nominations of people whose achievements have had meaningful impacts with environmental, social, educational and community benefits, have been innovative and inspirational, and have garnered respect from their communities and colleagues. The programme and awards aim to inspire people to get involved and take action, provide the Forest Heroes with visibility to expand the impact of their work, and promote networking and partnerships between Forest Heroes around the world. Forest Heroes Programme Overview – Forest Heroes Programme Concept Note – Nomination Guidelines and Form – Forest Heroes Programme Overview French – Forest Heroes Programme Nomination Guidelines and Form French – Forest Heroes Programme Overview Spanish – Forest Heroes Programme Nomination Guidelines and Form Spanish
  
  
• UNECE/FAO PhD Thesis Award on Sustainable Forest Management: In order to promote scientific research on sustainable forest management, the ECE/FAO Forestry and Timber section has launched a PhD Thesis Award. The prize of 10,000 USD dollars will be awarded to the best PhD thesis providing new data and insights into forest management, and how to balance forest conservation, forest productivity and social well being. To learn more about the award and how to participate, please see the following press release: http://www.unece.org/press/pr2011/11tim_p03e.htm
  
  
• The Forest Products Society presents four awards at the International Convention each year. The prestigious Fred W. Gottschalk Memorial Award honors exceptional service to the Society by an individual member. The L.J. Markwardt Wood Engineering Award encourages research and promotes knowledge of wood in the engineering field. The Wood Engineering Achievement Award recognizes excellence in the discipline of wood engineering. The Forest Products Society's Wood Award recognizes outstanding research in the field of wood and wood products conducted by graduate students. For details see http://www.forestprod.org/ic65/awards.html
  
  
• Schweighofer Prize: Endowed with € 300,000, it addresses visionary people with spirit of research who want to present their innovative ideas for a sustainable and competitive Forest Based Sector in Europe. The scope of topics covers the whole Forest-Wood-Chain, including cooperation, services and training. Pulp and paper issues are excluded. Specific emphasis is put on the European dimension of the candidate’s achievements and focuses on applied research and development projects. An interdisciplinary co-operation between science and industry is also advantageous.
  Application forms are available at http://www.schweighofer-prize.org/index.en.html 
  
  
• Mahathir Science Award: The Academy of Sciences Malaysia in its 53rd Council Meeting decided to establish the ASM Award for Scientific Excellence in Honour of Tun Dr Mahathir Award in conjunction to the Academy's 10th Anniversary Celebration. This award is to be Malaysia's most prestigious Science Award for tropical sciences and it will be bestowed on any scientists, institution or organization worldwide in recognition of contributions and innovations towards solving problems in the tropics through science and technology and to be awarded to the most deserving based on merit.
  
  
• The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards seek to recognize and encourage world-class research and artistic creation, prizing contributions of lasting impact for their originality, theoretical significance and ability to push back the frontiers of the known world. These international awards span eight categories: Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), Biomedicine, Ecology and Conservation Biology, Information and Communication Technologies, Economics, Finance and Management, Contemporary Music, Climate Change and Development Cooperation.
  
  
• The Japan International Biodiversity Award (JIBA): newly established to mark the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the AEON Environmental Foundation and to celebrate the 2010 International Year on Biodiversity
  
  
• Prince of Asturias Awards
  
  
• CFA Young Forester Award: the Award provides a grant and placement in order to give work experience to young foresters.
  
  
• The Young Scientist Publication Award  – Commonwealth Forestry Association