TO: All members of the Central Division Working Group of the US DAPTF
FROM: Chris Phillips, Central Division Coordinator
SUBJECT: THIRD MEETING OF THE CENTRAL REGION WORKING GROUP OF THE U.S. DECLINING AMPHIBIAN POPULATION TASK FORCE (DAPTF).
DATE: 19 July 1996

ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

SEPTEMBER 14 & 15 1996

BAILLY TRAINING FACILITY, INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE

The third meeting of the Central Division Working Group of the DAPTF will be held the weekend of September 14 and 15 at the Bailly Training Center, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The DAPTF is an international organization devoted to investigating the worldwide decline in amphibian populations. Regional working groups promote research and education, and act as information clearing houses. The Central Region includes Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: Saturday, September 14 will be devoted to contributed papers on amphibian decline, monitoring, and education in the Central Region (see CALL FOR ABSTRACTS, below). Sunday, September 15 will be set aside for discussions of the recently distributed NAAMP document: Protocols and Strategies for Monitoring North American Amphibians. I would like to try to reach a decision on how the Central Division might apply these suggested protocols in our region. Again, I encourage everyone to read the NAAMP protocols prior to the September meeting. You can access an electronic copy on the Worldwide Web at:
http://www.im.nbs.gov/amphibs.html
or by ftp from:
ftp://ftp.im.nbs.gov/pub/naamp/
If you do not have access to either of these sources, contact me and I will send you a copy.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: Send abstracts on amphibian decline, monitoring, education, or any conservation issues dealing with amphibians in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, or Ohio by 15 August, 1996 to me (address below). Please include, title, presenter name, address, phone, and e-mail along with the abstract. Electronic submissions (e-mail or disk) are encouraged and appreciated.

HOUSING INFORMATION: There are two campgrounds, Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (3 miles and 6 miles from the Bailly Training Center). There are also motels nearby. I will send more information on housing to those who register (see below).

MEALS: I am proposing that we try to get together and prepare group meals similar to the 1994 meetings. I would like to get five individuals or groups to prepare meals (three on Saturday and two on Sunday). There are five meals and five states in our region; I wonder if we could get a contest going. If we pull off the group meal idea, it will probably cost less than $20 per person.

REGISTRATION: There is no registration fee for the meetings but I would like to know if you are planning to attend. Please let me know by dropping me a card or phone call or e-mail. Also indicate whether you prefer the group meal idea and if you would be willing to prepare one meal.

For more information (coming soon), see the link on the INHS Herpetology Web Site.

Christopher A. Phillips
Illinois Natural History Survey
Center For Biodiversity
607 East Peabody Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61820 USA
(217) 244-7077 voice
(217) 333-4949 FAX
chrisp@mail.inhs.uiuc.edu