permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [SANET-MG] Drylandscope Sustainable Drylands Reference and 
Networking Website
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 18:03:12 -0400
From: Adam White <adam@DRYLANDSCOPE.ORG>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

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 <ttp

Many thanks again to everyone who has so generously supported our activities
to date. We look forward to working closely with more of you in the future.
Please do forward this announcement on to interested colleagues.

Warmest regards,

Adam White


Drylandscope
practical solutions to land degradation in drylands worldwide

Adam White, Director
710 Gaskill St., SE
Atlanta, Georgia 30316
USA
1-404-223-3699
info@drylandscope.org