In addition, "A key part of the CURE proposal is for capacity building, which will be accomplished through continuing education courses to train the next generation of Chinese land managers in the principles of restoration ecology," says Handel. "University exchanges and scientific workshops are also being planned for sharing skills between United States and Chinese scientists. Along with funds from the Beijing organizers, it is hoped that various international foundations and agencies will support the training activities.

"The Games are scheduled for August, 2008, and much of the park must be built by then for the enjoyment and education of the thousands of visitors to the Games," Handel continues. "The park will become a central feature of Beijing's natural environment, adding ecological services and biodiversity to the capitol of the world's most populous country. The park will be a major tourist attraction, exhibiting the natural history of Beijing, and will complement the many cultural sites of the ancient city," he explained.

The ecologists, botanists and landscape designers will work together in groups that address plant, animal, and landscape issues. The team draws upon the expertise of faculty from a broad assortment of disciplines at Rutgers, Cook College and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Michigan State University, Beijing University and Tsinghua University. Participants include Rutgers faculty from CURE; Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute; and Cook College's Departments of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources; Plant Biology; Environmental Sciences and Landscape Architecture.

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Contact: Michele Hujber
hujber@aesop.rutgers.edu
732-932-9559
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
15-Apr-2004