Regardless of dictionary definitions, anyone who has ever restored a car or a house knows that it is not only possible, it is also a rewarding experience that allows one to regain use of something that has been damaged or fallen into disrepair. But no one expects a restored house to be the same house that it was before. The paint may be the same color, but if lead paint was used something less toxic would now be substituted. No one would propose the use of asbestos as insulation or wallpaper known to burst into flames from a mere spark. In some parts of the world, air conditioning might be installed to protect the remaining historic components of a structure from the elements; if threatened by floods, a historic house undergoing restoration might be raised up on pilings. Where a house might have been home to a family of five, it might now be used as an office or retail store.

Why on earth would an ecologist, much less one employed by the Ecological Society of America, say such a thing? Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of papers and books have been devoted to the subject, not to mention numerous meetings and at least one professional society (the Society for Ecological Restoration International, a partner in ESA’s 2002 and 2007 annual meetings.) The phrase “ecological restoration” generates 772,000 hits on Google, the phrase “ecological restoration is impossible” six. So this would appear to be a minority opinion. But perhaps some explication will produce broader agreement than the current three-quarter million to one ratio would imply.

When you are out in the cold, taking samples and measurements, do you sometimes get “jiggy with it” to keep warm? Then perhaps pole dancing is for you—dancing at the North or South Pole that is. March 1, 2007 marks the beginning of International Polar Year (IPY), an international and multidisciplinary effort involving 50,000 people from more than 60 countries in Arctic and Antarctic research.

Anyone who has ventured to Antarctica can not help but have the highest respect for early explorers. How did these men, without the benefit of modern outdoor equipment, endure the harsh conditions of cold, starvation, isolation, scurvy, injury, ice storms, avalanches, and physical deterioration? Why do explorers past and present �� have such an obsession for experiencing nature in its extreme?

I sit here in the Wild Palms Hotel sipping coffee and thinking about the great information we gathered this weekend, the ideas that were generated and the amazing insight that the invited speakers gave all of us. I think of whats ahead in my life and in the life of each of the fellows and I know that we will all become great scientists. We have also realized to a greater extent that with becoming a great scientist comes great responsibility to all life.

The ESA Strategies for Ecology Education, Developing Sustainability (SEEDS) Program offers professional mentorship, funding and the opportunity for students to develop ecological research through the Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Long flights, rain and cold weather could not stop the energy and excitement of the SEEDS fellows arriving here in San Jose, CA. Old fellows are excited to be here again with friends and new fellows are excited to meet new friends.

Steve Gliessman, UC Santa Cruz, is organizing an International Agroecology course scheduled for July 8-21, 2007. For more information, please visit the course web site at http://www.agroecology.org/shortcourse.htm. Questions regarding the course can be emailed to vvadakan@ucsc.edu or contact the course organizer, Bee Vadakan at 831-459-5818, Fax. 831-459-2867.