Conservation Training Consortium (CTC)
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A Consortium of The Field Museum, Chicago Zoological Society, University of
Illinois at Chicago, John G. Shedd Aquarium and The University of
Chicago
The purpose of this consortium-based program is to provide intensive
training in conservation biology for young professionals from developing
countries, with special emphasis on the Northern Andes, East Africa,
Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. By acquiring the tools necessary for
assessing, analyzing and managing biological diversity, the participants
will be better equipped to help establish conservation programs and direct
biodiversity policies in their own countries.
The Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to provide the participants with a general
understanding of the theoretical principles of conservation biology and to
illustrate how these principles can be applied in on-the-ground conservation
programs. Participants incorporate what they learn into individual
conservation-related projects that are pertinent to their particular situations.
Specifically, participants spend approximately half their time attending
lectures, taking part in seminars, and engaging in discussions of relevant
publications. Topics include habitat disturbance and fragmentation, island
biogeography, conservation genetics, and design and protection of reserves.
In addition to scientific aspects of conservation biology, other important
topics, such as economic, political and sociological ones, are considered.
Participants gain experience writing grant proposals, and are provided with
information on funding for biodiversity research and conservation from U.S.
and international organizations.
During the remainder of their time, participants develop a
conservation-related project with their individual advisor at one of the
five institutions. Examples of such projects include: analysis of patterns
of endemism; population viability analysis; ecology of fragmented
populations and communities; design of national park systems.
The Participants
Participants for CTC will be selected from a pool of applicants committed to
using what they learn to help guide conservation programs in their own
countries, and in a position that will allow them to put their knowledge to
immediate, effective use in their home country. Such persons might work for
universities, museums, parks, non-governmental conservation organizations,
or governmental wildlife offices. Ideally, participants will have a
Master's degree or the equivalent in a field such as biology, ecology,
zoology or botany, but will have had limited opportunity to study
conservation biology. Lower priority will be given to currently enrolled
graduate students with little experience, and to persons who have received
graduate degrees in biology from institutions in developed countries. All
expenses for travel, food and housing will be covered by the consortium.
Participants will also receive a small stipend and book allowance.
The Schedule
Over the next three years (1997 through 1999), we will offer two sessions
focusing on aquatic ecosystems and four sessions focusing on terrestrial
ecosystems. Aquatic Sessions will be offered in the Spring of '98 & '99,
and will be 10 weeks in length. Summer Terrestrial Sessions will take place
in '97 & '99, and will be 10 weeks in length, taking place from mid-June
through August. Autumn Terrestrial Sessions will take place in '97 & '98,
and will be 4 months long, taking place from mid-August through
mid-December. We anticipate accepting six participants for each of the
Aquatic and Autumn Terrestrial Sessions, and eight participants for each of
the Summer Terrestrial Sessions.
The Consortium
The consortium was formed in response to the need for immediate action to
curtail the speed and scale with which natural habitats are being degraded
and destroyed, particulary in developing countries. It is comprised of
five premier research and education institutions:
The Field Museum is one of the world's foremost natural history museums,
with prominent research programs on the evolution, ecology and biogeography
of nearly all living groups of plants and animals, and with an active
conservation program.
The Chicago Zoological Society supports one of the largest, most modern and
research-oriented zoos in the world, the Brookfield Zoo. Captive management
of endangered species, genetics of small populations, and animal behavior
and ecology are its strengths.
The University of Illinois at Chicago is Chicago's largest university. UIC
provides a modern university environment with a large and active group of
faculty and graduate students working in the area of local, national and
international conservation biology.
John G. Shedd Aquarium is the world's largest indoor aquarium, housing over
6,000 aquatic animals. A prominent component of the aquarium's mission is
to promote the conservation of aquatic life and its environments through
education and research.
The University of Chicago is one of the nation's premier research
universities, with a reputation as a teacher of teachers. UC is
internationally renowned, and ranked first in the nation for its graduate
programs in ecology, behavior, and evolution.
Each of these institutions brings special resources to the program, and
their collective faculties and facilities provide an experience no one
institution can replicate. The participants in this program have the unique
opportunity to experience and acquire expertise of five major institutions
dedicated to advancing conservation biology throughout the world.
To Apply:
Submit the following items (please note it is not necessary to submit
diplomas or certificates):
A three-page curriculum vitae, which should include a description of your
current and past positions, relevant professional experience, and
educational background (be sure to include your e-mail address and/or FAX
number.) Also include the names, addresses, telephone and FAX numbers, and
e-mail addresses of three references.
A two-page statement of interest, discussing why you would like to attend
the program, what aspects of conservation biology are of interest to you,
and how you would implement your training when you return home after the
program.
Applications for the Summer 1997 Terrestrial Session (20 June-31 Aug.) must
be received by 1 February; applications for the Autumn 1997 Terrestrial
Session (22 Aug.-14 Dec.) must be received by 1 March. If you wish to be
considered for either session, please note that in your application. We
encourage submissions by e-mail or FAX when possible.
Submit applications to:
Dr. Wendy M. Jackson
Conservation Training Consortium
c/o The Field Museum
Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, Illinois 60605 USA
Tel: (312) 922-9410, ext. 432
FAX: (312) 922-5421
e-mail: jackson@fmppr.fmnh.org
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