9522955 Rogers A critical facet of the U.S. Global Change Research Program is its explicit effort to improve communications among scientists conducting global change research and the decision makers in both the public and private sectors who value and use such the results of scientific research. One of the most important settings for this type of exchange have been the annual global change conferences sponsored by the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM). This award provides partial support to cover publication costs of this year's conference proceedings, the title of which is "Understanding Earth: Retrospectives and Visions." As has been true of past ERIM conferences, this year's gathering will bring together scientists and decision makers to examine new knowledge and critical issues related to global change. Previous conferences have been well attended, and the proceedings have become valuable statements of the "current state of understanding." The conference will be held in Washington, D.C. in early April. Because of the valuable role that the ERIM conference plays in fostering dialogue among scientists and decision makers in both the private and public sectors, NSF has provided support in the past. Publication of the proceedings will provide a tangible record of conference publications and discussions, thereby enhancing the value of the conference for those in attendance and for others.
