From adam@drylandscope.org Thu Oct 28 15:03:13 2004 Received: from mxe7.u.washington.edu (mxe7.u.washington.edu [140.142.32.169]) by lists.u.washington.edu (8.13.1+UW04.08/8.13.1+UW04.08) with ESMTP id i9SM3D07112618; Thu, 28 Oct 2004 15:03:13 -0700 Received: from imf16aec.mail.bellsouth.net (imf16aec.mail.bellsouth.net [205.152.59.64]) by mxe7.u.washington.edu (8.13.1+UW04.08/8.13.1+UW04.09) with ESMTP id i9SM3Bvw022159; Thu, 28 Oct 2004 15:03:12 -0700 Received: from Adam1 ([68.158.183.45]) by imf16aec.mail.bellsouth.net (InterMail vM.5.01.06.11 201-253-122-130-111-20040605) with SMTP id <20041028220311.KDGH8988.imf16aec.mail.bellsouth.net@Adam1>; Thu, 28 Oct 2004 18:03:11 -0400 From: "Adam White" To: Subject: Drylandscope Sustainable Drylands Reference and Networking Website Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 18:03:12 -0400 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0004_01C4BD18.63CB9E50" X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1441 X-Uwash-Spam: Gauge=IIIIIII, Probability=7%, Report='__C230066_P5 0, __CT 0, __CTYPE_HAS_BOUNDARY 0, __CTYPE_MULTIPART 0, __HAS_MSGID 0, __HAS_MSMAIL_PRI 0, __HAS_X_MAILER 0, __HAS_X_PRIORITY 0, __MIME_VERSION 0, __NEXTPART_ALL 0, __NEXTPART_NORMAL 0, __PORN_PHRASE_15_0 0, __SANE_MSGID 0' This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0004_01C4BD18.63CB9E50 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit **Apologies for Cross-Posting** Greetings, I would like to take the opportunity to announce a new initiative aimed at facilitating greater communication among researchers and practitioners working in the drylands of the world (arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions). We are currently constructing a web-based resource to foster greater discussion on the ecological dimensions of drylands systems, unifying such technical fields as agroecology and ecological restoration with traditional practical management concerns. We have chosen to focus our resource in the following general subject areas: · Soils · Natural Systems · Managed Systems · Tools & Equipment · Hydrology · Landscape Level Considerations · Livestock We are presently inviting interested individuals to explore the pre-release version of our web resource, to solicit constructive feedback in order to expand our existing content, and to better serve the needs of the concerned community at large. Drylandscope is an emerging organisation dedicated to the belief that the problems associated with land degradation can be remedied through a practical, ecologically based strategy. We feel that it is our responsibility to avail ourselves to the service of sustainable management, toward more appropriate development of drylands. To achieve the goal of sustainable drylands management, we are committed to providing a useful platform for open information access and dialogue on all subjects pertinent to this process. We propose that individuals who have not previously been in communication with one another due to either geography or subject area specialisation may therefore derive benefit from a platform for active sharing of information. Toward this end we are developing a centralized web library of techniques and technologies for prevention and rehabilitation of degraded drylands, and for the sustainable use of natural resources in these affected areas. This resource will highlight open content which allows Users to both download and post articles, management notes, diagrams, and video and audio files to and from the website. Web forums will also be linked to the categories associated with the above eLibrary, to maintain a practical technology focus, with a priority on encouraging allied organisations to collaborate with one another through discussion groups and the like. Our initial content emphasises full-text technical references, however we intend on expanding our resources in response to the information needs expressed by our website Users. At present, we are only able to receive submissions via email, however our formal submissions transfer technology will soon be available. Please check back often as we further implement services such as "chat room", "news feeds" and personalised "portal" networking technology for our Users. Registration through our website is free and open to all, and we encourage interested individuals and organisations to actively participate in our programming, as we grow to address your needs: www.drylandscope.org