With attendance of more than 1,000 on the first day and 1,200 on the second, representing 122 countries, the inaugural Global Landscapes Forum took place on 16-17 Nov in Warsaw, on the sidelines of the UNFCCC COP19. Read the special GLF wrap-up media release now [more]

A political activist working to safeguard the Amazon rainforest and a businessman considered the 'grandfather' of the Turkish environmental movement are among the winners of United Nations awards honouring individuals who have done extraordinary work to spotlight the special relationship between forests and people. In addition to five “Forest Heroes” from Brazil, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey and the United States, the UN Forests for People Awards also recognized filmmakers and photographers for their creative efforts to raise awareness about forests and their contributions to people's lives. [more]

In a message for the new International Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “By proclaiming the International Day of Forests, the United Nations has created a new platform to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forest ecosystems to sustainable development.” “On this first International Day of Forests,” he continued, “I urge Governments, businesses and all sectors of society to commit to reducing deforestation, preventing forest degradation, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods for all forest-dependent peoples.” [more]

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, Athens invites applications from highly motivated and enthusiastic students for a Ph.D. Assistantship starting in Fall 2014/Spring 2015. This collaborative work with Dr. Kamal Gandhi (University of Georgia) and Dr. Rima Lucardi (USDA Forest Service) will focus on a newly documented scale insect species (Matsucoccus macrocicatrices) in the southeastern U.S., its interaction with associated fungal organisms, and its potential contribution affecting the fitness of eastern white pine. Major objectives include, but are not limited to the determination of the ecological relationship(s) between eastern white pine, the newly documented scale species, and parasitic fungal complexes through population genetics and biogeographical approaches. This program will require extensive field sampling with dedication in the laboratory and during computational analyses. Strong cooperative relationships with other research institutions, governmental agencies (state and federal), and NGO’s will also be developed. Ideal candidates would already possess both extensive field and molecular laboratory experience, a strong statistical background, and an independent spirit to develop, conduct, and publish ecological and applied research. A Masters Degree in a related field, especially in molecular ecology or bioinformatics, is preferred. [more]

Researchers in the Centre for GeoInformatics in the School of Geography and Geosciences at the University of St Andrews have been selected for a prestigious award under the Q-Step Quantitative Methods Programme funded by a combination of the Nuffield Foundation and the ESRC. This programme will employ two new lecturers: in GeoInformatics, specialisation Remote Sensing (post A) and in Spatio-temporal analysis, specialization Spatial statistics (post B) to add substantial new courses to our existing undergraduate curriculum and help deliver a new MSc in GeoInformatics. The successful candidates will also contribute to the successful development of the Centre for GeoInformatics; to seek external funding for research and to engage in the recruitment and supervision of research postgraduates; to contribute effectively to the intellectual environment of the School; to engage in internationally recognized, peer-reviewed publication of original research; and to work closely with Professor Stewart Fotheringham and other CGI members. Application deadline: 17 January 2014. [more]

The Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University is seeking 1-2 graduate students who are interested in landscape & community ecology, particularly pertaining to the following topics: •modeling potential climate and land-use change impacts on odonates •ecomorphology of odonates •modeling odonate (dragonfly/damselfly) metapopulations and/or metacommunities Application deadline: 15 December 2013. [more]

IUCN is looking for a talented CEO who is passionate about nature conservation and the environment and is determined to make a difference. The Director General will manage the Union by articulating its vision, mission and policies and leading the implementation of its programme as approved by its membership. He/she will serve as the principal Ambassador and speaker for the Union on major platforms and will be in charge of enhancing the global visibility and broadening the influence of the Union, while innovatively expanding and diversifying its sources of finance. IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic nature based solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and the private sector together to develop policy, laws and best practice. [more]

The incumbent will support the implementation of programmes and activities in the field of urban and peri-urban forestry (UPF) and trees outside forest (TOF). The programme supports and promotes activities dealing with trees and forests in and around cities and in rural areas that respond to local, regional and global needs by: (i) enhancing the role of UPF and TOF in combating poverty; (ii) highlighting the contribution of UPF and TOF to provide food and other goods and vital ecosystem services; (iii) raising awareness of the crucial role of UPF and TOF in mitigating climate change effects at local level; (iv) emphasizing the contribution of UPF and TOF in making cities environmentally, economically and socially more resilient and sustainable; and, (iv) supporting the potential role of UPF and TOF in achieving social justice and the equitable governance in the urban-rural continuum. [more]