In September 2019, CSF’s Kim Bonine presented two projects at the International Conference on Ecology & Transportation (ICOET) in Sacramento, California. The ICOET is an interdisciplinary conference addressing ecological issues related to transportation systems. Experts in transportation development, related scientific study, and policy issues gather to share current research, quality applications, and best practices to enhance the ecological sustainability of transportation. Around 600 people attended this year’s conference, coming together from 44 U.S. states and 19 countries. 

Kim attended the conference in collaboration with CSF 2018 international course alumni Sarah Chiles, who is currently the Landscape Infrastructure Advisor for Ewaso Lions and Grevy's Zebra Trust in Kenya. Kim presented on our recent analysis of the social and environmental risks of 70 proposed roads in the Amazon region, as well as our 2014 study of a proposed road through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. CSF’s signature approach to revealing the true costs and benefits of infrastructure projects and presenting that data as an objective input to policy debate was well received by conference participants, many of whom were eager to apply this type of analysis in their own work. 

Conferences are also a great opportunity for us to connect with our partners. We often work remotely on projects, and it can be refreshing and uplifting to meet with colleagues face to face! Kim was able to make several such connections at the ICOET, and we look forward to following up on the ideas discussed there in the coming months. 

Note: The ICOET conference is hosted by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, with support from the US DOT Federal Highway Administration. The conference is organized by the Road Ecology Center at UC Davis.