This is a workshop to further develop collaborative research and related educational programs in the Baja California, Sea of Cortés, and Southern California region. Workshop results will provide unique multiculture and multidiscipline information, perceptions, and recommendations for use in the San Diego Natural History Museum’s planning for its next ten years.

Thursday, November 8, 2001
7:00 pm  Dinner with a briefing by from Dr. Exequiel Ezcurra, Presidente, Instituto Nacional de Ecologia, on President Vicente Fox’s first year. The Fox Administration policies and approaches toward conservation.

Friday, November 9, 2001

8:00 am  Opening remarks, Ms. Charlotte Chandler and Dr. Michael Hager. How we will work Mr. Robert F. Smith.

8:30–10:30  Breakout groups for discussions and reports.
Topics for each group:

1. What are the research priorities for the Peninsula of Baja California and the Sea of Cortés for the next 10 years?
2. Who are the major research collaborators?
3. How do we coordinate our efforts with conservation priorities and conservation organizations?
4. What are the potential funding sources?
   Is there a potential connection with the All Species Project?

10:30–10:45  Intermission

10:45–11:30  Reports from breakout groups

11:30–1:00 pm  Breakout groups for discussions and reports.
Topics for each group:

1. Is a bi-annual Baja Research Symposium and publication the best way to disseminate results and gain participation?
   How would it best be organized?
2. Is there a need for a field research station? Where?
   Who would participate?
3. Would a closer collaboration between research institutions, complete with a Memorandum of Understanding, be of use in pursuing our goals — expeditions, collecting permits, funding, symposia, publications, etc.?
4. What are the external threats to our priorities?
   What are the internal threats?

1:00–2:30  Lunch

2:30–3:15  Reports from breakout groups

3:15–4:00  What are the San Diego Natural History Museum’s research position priorities?, Dr. Michael Hager What is the need for and priority of Bioinformatics at the San Diego Natural History Museum in the next 10 years? Is there a common system for our Mexican partners?

4:00–4:30  Summarizing comments. Next steps.

4:30–7:30  Reception and Celebration Dinner

• List of Attendees