Conferences

Landscape ecology is more than just the ecology of large geographic areas, although many landscape ecologists do work at those scales. It is more than just remote sensing or GIS, although those research tools are frequently used by landscape ecologists. It is more than land management or landscape planning and design, although those fields are influenced by the science and practice of landscape ecology. What distinguishes landscape ecology from other areas of ecology, conservation, resource management, and landscape planning and design professions is its explicit focus on understanding the relationship between spatial patterns and processes: how spatial patterns influence socio-ecological processes and how those processes engender spatial patterns. Landscapes are spatially complex: they are heterogeneous and may comprise different landforms, ecosystems, land uses, habitats, seral stages, species, and resources. Landscape ecologists are fundamentally interested in studying how humans and other biotic and abiotic disturbances shape the landscapes around us, and how landscape heterogeneity in turn influences the distribution and flow of species, water, nutrients, materials, information (genes), goods, and services across the landscape. Landscape ecology is not restricted to just the study of terrestrial or human-dominated landscapes but can also be applied to the study of freshwater and marine "scapes". Given that heterogeneity is the defining characteristic of a landscape, landscapes can be defined (and studied) at any scale relevant to the process or species being studied.

Mission of IALE-North America

The purpose of the Regional Chapter shall be to:

1. Foster landscape ecology research and practice across North America;
2. Provide a link between persons concerned with landscape ecology in North America, the International Association for Landscape Ecology, and other regional associations of IALE;
3. Promote interdisciplinary research and communication among scientists, planners, and other professionals concerned with landscape ecology and colleagues in other countries under the aegis of the International Association for Landscape Ecology;
4. Promote diversity and inclusion and champion participation in landscape ecology regardless of race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

The Regional Chapter is organized and operated solely for scientific and educational purposes.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Given the interdisciplinary nature of landscape ecology, the inclusion of and enrichment by diverse backgrounds and viewpoints will greatly enhance our capacity to address complex ecological and/or socio-ecological topics or challenges. As our Regional Chapter of IALE moves to an international (North America) organization, we aim to provide support for diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices by proactively addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the chapter. Our membership welcomes and values participation by all individuals regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances, socioeconomic status, and cultural backgrounds. We foster a shared culture that promotes the goals of accepting, respecting, and valuing all people, and therefore reject prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping. We recognize that developing this culture requires engaging with and addressing challenges faced by individuals at all career stages, from students to professionals. We will work with IALE-International to achieve these shared goals of promoting diversity and inclusion while championing participation in landscape ecology among all people. We will work to develop a strategic plan, action items, and organizational capacity to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our objective is to develop initiatives that will benefit all members. Part of this work will be accomplished by integrating DEI activities into other IALE-North America committee programs. We will expand the dialogue among the Regional Chapter members about diversity, equity, and inclusion to include the entire field of landscape ecology across all levels, including the public, students, professionals, and leaders in the field. We will work to identify under-represented groups and ways to reach those groups, and we will form equitable partnerships with relevant programs and organizations to improve recruitment, retention, and active participation within the Regional Chapter. We will broaden diversity, enhance equity, and facilitate inclusion in the Regional Chapter by including representation on Regional Chapter boards and committees, in Regional Chapter governance and activities, within Regional Chapter award recipients, and within the active membership of the Regional Chapter.

https://www.ialena.org/annual-meeting.html