International Ecology Conference coming to Central Ohio 2012

The world’s most esteemed ecological science conference is coming to central Ohio! Considered by many the Olympics of ecological science conferences, EcoSummit was started by a committee of ecological journal editors in 1996 to provide a platform for ecological discussion amongst researchers, planners and decision-makers. MORPC and the City of Columbus partner with The Ohio State University to host the 4th International EcoSummit at the Columbus Convention Center September 30 ‘“ October 5, 2012. Previous summits have been held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1996; Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2000; and Beijing, China in 2007, making this the first EcoSummit in the United States.

This is a tremendous opportunity for central Ohio. We are expecting over 2,000 leaders from all over the world to arrive in Columbus to discuss the ecology of the planet, stated MORPC Executive Director Chester R. Jourdan, Jr.

EcoSummit 2012 will feature lectures, scientific presentations, displays and Ohio field trips emphasizing the theme, Ecological Sustainability: Restoring the Planet’s Ecosystem Services.

We’re going to have a ‘˜fix the planet’ theme as opposed to a ‘˜study the planet’ theme, said William Mitsch, an environmental and natural resources professor and director of the Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park at Ohio State. For example, we will explore strategies to ensure that society and nature have access to our most precious resource: water, and all of the ecosystem services that aquatic ecosystems provide.

Mitsch, one of the founding organizers of the conference, is working with MORPC and fellow organizers to ensure a compelling conference. Visit the EcoSummit webpage for updates as we anticipate this compelling event!