Barcelona 2017
The Barcelona conference WCNRM 2017 was a great success featuring 110 talks during 3 days delivered by scientists from all around the world providing a very satisfying balance between young and senior researchers.
The central theme of the conference namely “Vulnerability and Resilience of Socio-ecological Systems” as well as the quality and
diversity of keynote speakers including Linda Nøstbakken
(Norway, Resource Economics), Mark Finney (US, Research
Forester), Marc Castellnou (Spain, Research Forester) and Frank van Langevelde (Netherlands, Ecology) have strongly contributed to the attractiveness of the conference. The awarding of both the Rollie Lamberson Medal and the prize of best student presentation during the conference also reinforces this interest of our annual conferences. Bill Reed from the University of Victoria in Canada was also honored as RMA Fellow 2017 by the Resource Modeling Association in recognition to his scientific work in natural resource modeling and for his sustained leadership regarding the resource conservation, management and economics.
The Barcelona conference was also successful in regard to social events. In particular the well-organised gala dinner held on the splendid terrace along the Barcelona port provided a friendly and very pleasant atmosphere strongly enjoyed by all participants . Many attendees had difficulties to leave this wonderful place of the Catalan city.
Key to the success of any conference is the unseen work behind the scenes, with tireless efforts from local scientists, administrative staff and organization. In this respect, Nuria Prat Guitart, Elsa Pastor, Oriol, Mariona and all Spanish colleagues in particular from the Pau Costa Foundation and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya did a great job and deserve warm acknowledgement for their organisation of WCNRM 2017.