GROUP TRAVEL: Support for US MAB Reserve Representation at the 3rd World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, Madrid Spain, 2008

该奖项将支持来自美国人与生物圈（MAB）保护区网络的13名代表参加2008年2月4日至9日在西班牙马德里举行的第三届世界生物圈保护区大会。参与者将协助评估联合国教科文组织生物圈保护区计划的实施情况，并帮助制定世界生物圈保护区网络行动计划，其中包括美国的47个生物圈保护区。20多年来，美国一直没有正式参与人与生物圈行动计划的生物圈保护区活动。参与将使现有的和未来的美国MAB储备与世界网络重新连接。许多现有的和可能的未来保护区都隶属于美国长期生态研究网络（LTER）和生物野外站组织（OBFS）等网络。美国的参与应加强MAB储备活动与这些现有网络之间的联系。美国代表隶属于美国MAB生物圈保护区。美国与会者将培养能力建设机会，并讨论以下议题：1)促进生态研究人员和研究网络之间的合作；2)加强对研究、教育和外联活动的促进；3)加强世界各地生态数据的可比性、交换和保存；3)开发最佳生态系统管理方法；(4)下一代科学家的教育；5)制定解决跨界问题（如迁徙物种、可持续发展、遗传资源的管理和管理）的战略。将向美国国家科学基金会和联合国教科文组织美国全国委员会提交一份报告，描述大会期间确定的合作机会。

This award will support participation of 13 representatives from the U.S. Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Reserves network in the 3rd World Congress of Biosphere Reserves on February 4-9, 2008 in Madrid, Spain. Participants will assist in evaluating implementation of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve program and will help elaborate an Action Plan for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which include 47 Biosphere Reserves in the U.S. The US has not been an official participant in the MAB Biosphere Reserves activities for over two decades. Participation will allow existing and prospective U.S. MAB Reserves to reconnect with the World Network. Many existing and possible future Reserves are affiliated with networks such as the U.S. Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network and the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS). U.S. participation should enhance linkages among activities at MAB Reserves and these existing networks. U.S. representatives are affiliated with U.S. MAB Biosphere Reserves. U.S. participants will cultivate capacity building opportunities and address topics including: 1) promotion of collaboration among ecological researchers and research networks; 2) increased promotion of research, education and outreach; 3) enhanced comparability, exchange, and preservation of ecological data from sites around the world; 3) development of best ecosystem management practices; 4) education of the next generation of scientists, and; 5) development of strategies for addressing trans-boundary issues (e.g. migratory species, sustainable development, stewardship and management of genetic resources). A report to the NSF and the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO describing partnership opportunities identified during the Congress will be produced.