Keywords=Environmental Problem Solving, GIS, Computer Modeling, Research Agenda
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Conference announcement and preliminary program -- Last Circular, August
9, 2000

4th International Conference on Integrating Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) and Environmental Modeling (GIS/EM4)

The Banff Centre for Conferences, Banff, Alberta, Canada, September 2-8, 2000
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The 4th International Conference on Integrating Geographic Information
Systems and Environmental Modeling (GIS/EM4) continues a highly
successful set of conferences that, since 1989 have set the standard
examining cross-disciplinary theory and practice in the synergistic
fields of GIS and computer modeling of the natural environment. But
GIS/EM4 will build upon, rather than merely repeat past success. By
focusing on new developments and applications and on the extension of
its joint GIS/modeling approach into human-environment interruptions and
the social sciences, the meeting will provide leadership to and
"cross-pollination" among the broadest possible array of fields that may
benefit from spatial methods and computer modeling (see session themes below).
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GIS/EM4 SESSION THEMES

A. Research prioritization, utilization, and evaluation
1. Research and development opportunities and constraints
2. Users, advocates, and sponsors 
3. Auditing and performance measures
 
 B. Natural systems and system relations
4. Biotic (living) systems
5. Physical (non-living) systems 
6. Managed (agricultural, silvicultural, urban...) systems
7. Human-environment interactions 
 
 C. Analytic frameworks, properties, and applications
8. Problem solving environments
9. Modeling techniques and tools
10. Statistical techniques and tools 
11. Decision support/aide and decision making 
12. Integration, coupling, and synergism
 
 D. System dimensions, characteristics, and behaviors
13. Complexity and chaos
14. Spatial dimensions
15. Temporal dimensions
16. Uncertainty and predictability
17. Adaptivity, feedback, and dynamics
 
 E. Language, metrics, monitoring, benchmarks, and interpretation
18. Representations and formalisms
19. Measurement (including data) and indicators
20. Information handling and knowledge bases
21. Visualization and explanation
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To demonstrate the sense of innovation it espouses, the 4th meeting will
also set new standards in how a carefully crafted, synergistic meeting
can and should be convened to better relate science and management needs
and opportunities. We will meet at a state-of-the-art facility, for the
first time outside the United States, in the glorious Canadian Rocky
Mountains, at a most beautiful and mild time of year. We will use
challenging special topic lectures, systematically related research and
practice papers, diverse work-in-progress posters, instructive
demonstrations, and hands-on workshops. These will be integrated using
cross-cutting work meetings to monitor the "metabolism" of the meeting
and to focus and add perspective in a shared learning environment.
Attendees can also expect an unprecedented set of published permanent
records of the contributions to, and outcomes from the meeting.

Who should attend? Government, academic and industry scientists and practitioners
who deal with, or must learn about, transactional uses of both
geographic information and computer models for anticipatory
environmental problem solving. Students, interested scientists and
others with a curiosity about, and stake in the future of
spatio-temporal modeling of environment are strongly encouraged to
attend the leading meeting of its kind in Banff, Alberta, Canada,
September 2-8, 2000. Please visit the GIS/EM4 web site (below) for
additional information. There you may preview the conference program and
session themes and register on-line for both the meeting and
accommodations at The Banff Centre for Conferences. 

You are invited to come early and stay late but to participate actively
in the intensive program we have planned. Note that accommodations in
the Banff area are limited.
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More information about GIS/EM4 is available from the following:

To complete and submit our on-line registration form 
	(both accommodations and admission to the meeting):     	
	URL: https://secure.banffcentre.ab.ca/cfc/cires/cires_form.htm

For information specifically about registering (including our on-line
registration form):
	URL: http://www.colorado.edu/research/cires/banff/desk/

For general information about the conference:
	URL: http//www.colorado.edu/research/cires/banff

For questions about accommodations, admission, and location, contact:
	The Banff Centre for Conferences 
	Main switchboard: 403.762.6100 (24 hours/day)
	Toll Free: 1.800.884.7574
	Phone: 1.403.762.6308
	Fax: 1.403.762.7502
	Email: [log in to unmask]
	The Banff Centre for Conferences
	Box 1020, Station 11
	Banff, Alberta, Canada, TOL OCO

For questions about the conference, its program, and contributions, contact:
	Conference Secretariat - GIS/EM4
	Phone: 1.303.497.6330 (Dr. Bradley Parks, Conference Director)
	Fax: 1.303.497.6513
	Email: [log in to unmask]
	Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), 
	CIRES Building 216, University of Colorado, 
	Boulder, CO, USA 80309-0216 
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