Fall Meeting

Thursday, October 22 - Saturday, October 24, 1998

Hosted by:

The Ecosystems Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory

and

The Biology Department of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,

Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543

Call for Papers and Pre-Registration

First Announcement

MEETING LOCATION:

The meeting, banquet, and room accommodations will all be at the Quality Inn, 29 Jones Road, Falmouth, Massachusetts 02540. The telephone number is (508) 540-2000, or toll-free at (800) 228-5151. The fax number is (508) 548-2712. This fine establishment has all the accouterments of a pretty good motel, including an indoor pool (remember the wave?) and a sauna (to get you in the mood for ERF 1999 in New Orleans).

Thursday October 22, 1998: IS SCIENCE HELPING IN COMMUNITY DECISION-MAKING

The Thursday Symposium,  "Is science helping in community decision-making?" will be organized by Maggie Geist and Sandy Macfarlane, and will be held in the Harbor Room at the Quality Inn. If you are interested in presenting in this symposium, be sure to contact Maggie (Waquoit Bay NERR, mgeist@capecod.net , 508-457-0495) or Sandy (508-255-5618).

Friday and Saturday October 23 and 24, 1998:  REGULAR AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS

The Friday and Saturday scientific presentations will be held in the Harbor Room.

ABSTRACTS:

Due by Friday September 11, 1998. Use Abstract Submission Form and send to the Program Chair, Marshall Pregnall (address on Abstract Form).

REGISTRATION:

The 3-day pre-registration fee is $38.00 for regular members and $16.00 for students. The fee for the symposium only is $15.00. Checks made out to NEERS and registration forms should be sent to Pam Arnofsky, NEERS Treasurer, ESNR, 89 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543 to arrive by October 8. Registration after October 8 will be at the conference site with fees of $40.00 for regular members and $18 for students. The NEERS registration desk will be open from 8 to 10 a.m., Thursday and Friday, and 7-10 p.m. at the Thursday Social.

NEERS THURSDAY NIGHT SOCIAL:

The usual Snails and Seafoam will be served at the highest point (Clark 507) on the Quissett Campus of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 7 to 10 p.m. We promise panoramic views and an easy walk to the beach if the sun doesn't set. At the very least, good company and music to get your feet prepared for Friday night. There will be a van to transport attendees from the hotel to the Clark Laboratory.

LUNCHES:

For hardy, beach-walking souls, box lunches can be purchased for $9.00 with your pre-registration. The Coonamessett Inn across the street from the Quality Inn offers fine dining and quiet atmosphere for those who prefer their food without sand.

AWARDS BANQUET:

The Awards Banquet will be held in the Harbor Room of the Quality Inn. Dinner entrees will include your choice of Pasta Primavera, Baked Scrod with seafood stuffing or Sliced Sirloin with mushroom sauce for a pre-registration price of $30.00 (tax, gratuity and entertainment fee included). The banquet is free to student prize candidates.

DANCING:

The incomparable sounds of NEERS’ own Jumpin Jeff Hughes and the Mud Stompers will provide the music for your swinging and swaying pleasure after the banquet in the Harbor Room. For those who attend the banquet, the dancing is free. A small fee will be extorted from those who wish to dance without attending the banquet.

POSTERS:

Poster presentations are very much encouraged. 4’ x 4’ poster boards will be available; you may use one or two. The Poster Session will be Friday, October 23.

STUDENT PRIZES:

At each meeting, NEERS awards three prizes recognizing the best student papers as judged on scientific content, clarity and professionalism of presentation, and graphics. The top oral presentations receive the Bostwick Ketchum Prize (graduate student) and the John Rankin Prize (undergraduate student). The David Dean Prize is awarded to the best student poster with both graduate and undergraduate students eligible. Awards are $100 each and prize candidates receive free banquet tickets. NEERS greatly appreciates contributions towards the endowment for these prizes.

STUDENT TRAVEL:

Four (4) STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS of $100 per each award are available for students presenting papers or posters. Any student receiving a travel award will remain eligible for the usual NEERS prizes. Send a copy of your abstract for the fall 98 meeting (by e-mail, please) to Pamela Arnofsky and write a note that you want to be entered in the travel fund lottery:

Pamela Arnofsky ( parnofsky@whoi.edu ). To be considered for these STUDENT TRAVEL AWARDS, abstracts must be received by the abstract deadline date of September 11, 1998.
 

ACCOMMODATIONS:

A block of rooms has been set aside for the 21st through the 24th of October, until September 15, 1998 at the Quality Inn (508-540-2000 or 800-228-5151). Please book your reservations immediately as demand is high for the rooms that week and the hotel will not hold them beyond the 15th. Each guest will be responsible for his or her own registration and payment. Prices are $65 for a single and double; $75 for a triple; and $85 for a quadruple. When you call for reservations, be sure to state that you are with the NEERS group. Yes, they'll still let you register. It is under new management and they haven't heard of us yet.

DIRECTIONS:

By Car:

Greater Boston Area: Route 24 South to I-495 to Route 25 to Bourne Bridge and then Route 28 South to Falmouth or via Route 3 South and cross Sagamore Bridge, taking first exit to Falmouth and follow signs at end to Falmouth and the Islands to Bourne Bridge. Then take route 28 South to Falmouth.

Western Mass.: I-90 East to I-495 to 25 and cross Bourne Bridge. Take Route 28 South to Falmouth.

New York City/CT/RI: I-95 North to I-195 East in Providence to Route 25 to Bourne Bridge. Cross Bourne Bridge and take Route 28 South to Falmouth.

From the Bourne Bridge, driving Route 28 Southbound, Falmouth is approximately 15 miles, about 25 minutes drive time.

By Bus:

You can reach bus connections to Falmouth from New York City (with a transfer in Providence), and Boston through Bonanza Bus Lines. Bus schedules can be viewed on the web at http://www.bonanzabus.com.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP:

The staff of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will take you on a tour of fresh and salt marshes, beach and jetty, as well as provide an overview of the ongoing research. Approximate duration 4 hours.

QUESTIONS:

Contact Dr. Linda Deegan, (508) 289-7487, e-mail: ldeegan@lupine.mbl.edu; or Dr. Jeff Hughes, MA 02543 (508) 289-7308, e-mail: jhughes@lupine.mbl.edu of The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, FAX (508) 457-1548.