Workshop Announcement: "Ecological Modeling For Marine Mammalogists" November 26, 2011 (Saturday) Tampa Bay Convention Center Tampa, Florida Registration Fee: $30 US (register here) The "Ecological Modeling for Marine Mammalogists" workshop will follow on the successful 2009 workshop of the same name, and will represent the sixth Biennial workshop devoted to spatial modeling. There is tremendous interest in applying statistical modeling techniques to the quantitative assessment of marine mammal distribution and habitat use, and our workshop seeks to explore both traditional and the latest methodologies. Our goal is to bring together practitioners that can share their experience with various approaches to ecological modeling by addressing topics ranging from collecting data, selecting the appropriate model, evaluating the model's results, and applying those results in a research or management context. The workshop format will consist of formal presentations followed by discussions during which particular methodologies can be meaningfully explored by all participants. We will also include a Project Forum wherein students and researchers new to modeling can present their projects in poster format and discuss the statistical challenges they are facing with other workshop participants. For information about the 2011 workshop as well as past workshops, please visit http://www.whoi.edu/sites/marinemammalmodeling . Participants can register for this workshop here. CALL FOR PROJECT FORUM POSTERS We are accepting abstracts (max 300 words) for posters outlining research that addresses applications of statistical tools and modeling approaches for marine mammals. We are particularly interested in poster presentations by students seeking input and discussion on statistical methodology, but presentations from non-students are certainly most welcome. These posters will be used in a session, as described above, where other researchers, including the workshop organizers, can discuss and supply feedback and advice. We also welcome posters that discuss innovative tool and/or model development. Posters that will be later presented at the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals are welcome. Presenters will be expected to give a brief 2-minute oral presentation summarizing their project, after which they will stand by their poster. Please send abstracts by September 30 to Kristin Laidre at klaidre@apl.washington.edu . Workshop organizing committee: Kathy Vigness Raposa Daniel Palacios Kristin Laidre Ellen Hines Elliot Hazen Dori Dick Mark Baumgartner