Tour du Valat, a research institute for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands, the CEFE-CNRS (Montpellier) and the IMBE (Aix-Marseille) co-organize the 3rd conference for young scientists on Conservation Sciences in the Mediterranean region.

The main objective of this conference is to create a scientific dynamisc around the Mediterranean basin about the stakes of conservation sciences.

Exchanging scientific knowledge and experiences should permit us to face the conservation challenges. This conference aims at scientific excellence by inviting high ranking lecturers, directed by Jacques Blondel as president of the scientific council, and by selecting high quality presentations.

The conference will also stimulate informal exchanges between young scientists with invited lecturers at the Tour du Valat estate, with its important biological value.

This will also be an opportunity to increase exchanges around the Mediterranean basin, by favouring access of young scientists from the south of the Mediterranean and by grouping the scientific and organisational committees from the two largest centres for Mediterranean ecology in France, IMBE in Aix-Marseille and CEFE/CNRS in Montpellier.
For the first time, the Alan Johnson Award for Conservation Biology will be attributed to a young scientist during the Conference. The winner of the Alan Johnson Award for Conservation Biology will receive a 1 000€ prize.
The award will be given to the best project presented during the conference combining high quality science and field conservation. The jury will be comprised of the members of the Scientific Committee of the conference and personalities from the Conservation biology world.

PREVISIONAL PROGRAMME
4 plenary sessions
Bertrand Schatz , of CEFE-CNRS, Montpellier
Slim Benyacoub, of Badji Mokhtar, Annaba University
David Grémillet of CEFE-CNRS, Montpellier:
Virginie Blady (IMBE Marseille) & Yldiz Thomas (CEFE-CNRS Montpellier), chairs of Biodivmex

Biodivmex, CNRS Mistrals supports the Mediterranean Conservation Science Conference and will sponsor 2 or 3 young scientists from Mediterranean countries (outside EU) proposing talks on one of the following topics:. The support will be decided on the basis of the summary.

1 poster sessions

1 short field visit per day

1 field visit in Camargue

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
150€/person – including accommodation in shared rooms (Hotel Atrium, Arles), lunch, coffee breaks, transport between Arles and Tour du Valat each day

More information on: www.medconservationsciences-conference.org