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Title: Midwest-Great Lakes SER Chapter: Who we are, what we do, and what we will do

Author
item ANDERSON, ROGER - Illinois State University
item CHOI, YOUNG - Purdue University
item Smiley, Peter - Rocky
item LYNDALL, JENNIFER - Environ Corporation

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/2013
Publication Date: 10/6/2013
Citation: Anderson, R.C., Choi, Y.D., Smiley, P.C., Lyndall, J.L. 2013. Midwest-Great Lakes SER Chapter: Who we are, what we do, and what we will do. Meeting Abstract. Fifth World Conference on Ecological Restoration, Madison, Wisconsin, October 6 to 11, 2013.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Midwestern United States consists of 12 states and six of them (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) contact Great Lakes. This subregion defines the boundaries of the Midwest-Great Lakes (MWGL) Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER). This region has a diversity of ecosystems including prairies, a variety of forest types, savannas, wetlands, aquatic habitats including the Great Lakes, and wilderness areas. This diverse geographic area is impacted by agriculture, industry, urbanization, and invasive species. Consequently, ecological restoration projects within this region face a wide range of challenges. The MWGL SER Chapter was established in 2008 with a mission of promoting the science and practice of ecological restoration to assist with recovery and management of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within this region. Promotion of ecological restoration is critical for facilitating coordination and supporting grassroots restoration efforts. To communicate with chapter members and others we established a chapter webpage, developed a Facebook page, regularly publish chapter newsletters, and hold annual chapter meetings. Our first five annual meetings (2009-2013) include sessions for oral and poster presentations, workshops, symposia, and at least one plenary session. In 2012, we filed our articles of incorporation and were formally recognized as a domestic non-profit organization by the State of Indiana and in 2013 we were recognized as nonprofit public foundation [501(c)(3)] by the United States Internal Revenue Service. We are currently developing a 5-year strategic plan that will incorporate input from our membership and will guide the selection of our future activities.