Welcome to Meridian Institute's searchable project description database! Please search for a description of a current or historical project by issue category below, process type, or through the website search feature.
Agriculture and Biotechnology
Chemicals, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances
Climate Change, Energy, and Air Quality
Endangered Species
Environmental Cleanup and Waste Management
Forests, Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Natural Resources
Health
Mining
Nanotechnology
Nuclear Materials and Chemical Weapons
Oceans and Fisheries
Science and Technology
Security and Homeland Security
Sustainable Communities, Corporations, and Development
Transportation
Water and Watersheds
In September 2003, Meridian Institute staff facilitated two meetings among some of the world's leading experts on plant genetic resources, to assess experience to date developing and implementing policies regarding genetic resources and to identify strategic opportunities for future work and investments regarding those policies.
As a follow-up to two meetings held in 2003, Meridian Institute facilitated a meeting among diverse stakeholders in October 2004 to discuss plant genetic resources in East and Central Africa.
Meridian Institute assisted the Rockefeller Foundation in establishing the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) to benefit resource-poor small farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the major agricultural commodity groups (e.g., corn/soybean/wheat growers, livestock producers, and farmer groups) met three times over the course of two years in educational sessions with scientists, policy experts, and environmental organizations to discuss the critical global climate change issues for agriculture.
Following a meeting in September 2000 with some of the world's leading experts on biosafety issues, Meridian Institute conducted an in-depth assessment of issues related to biosafety and the implementation of the Biosafety Protocol.
The Meridian Dialogue on Liability and Redress under the Biosafety Protocol brought together key stakeholders to discuss issues associated with the implementation of Article 27—Liability and Redress—of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
Meridian convened and facilitated a one-day workshop in The Hague on Liability and Redress issues in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The workshop provided an overview of some of the substantive and procedural issues related to liability and redress. The workshop was scheduled immediately in advance of the third meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Cartagena Protocol to help inform negotiators about this complicated issue.
Meridian Institute organized a meeting in December 2003 with leaders from major biosafety initiatives in Africa to discuss the current status and future direction of biosafety programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Meridian facilitated a meeting of diverse stakeholders engaged with agriculture and biosafety issues in Africa to advise the Forum on Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) about the focus of a new FARA biosafety initiative.
In March 2002, Meridian Institute facilitated a meeting of African and other experts to explore opportunities for enhancing biosafety scientific expertise in sub-Saharan Africa.
In September 2000, shortly after adoption of the Biosafety Protocol, Meridian Institute convened a meeting involving some of the world’s leading experts on biosafety, in particular the Biosafety Protocol, to help identify critical issues where multi-stakeholder discussions would be of high value.
Meridian facilitated two meetings for the CIMMYT senior management team to discuss the implementation of their strategic plan, which was developed in 2002.
Meridian Institute helped CIMMYT, the international agricultural research center located outside Mexico City, to develop a long-term strategic plan, an implementation plan, and relevant future scenarios through an extensive collaborative decision-making process.
The Committee to Advise on Reassessment and Transition (CARAT) was a Federal Advisory Committee convened by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to consult with and make recommendations to these agencies regarding strategic approaches for pest management planning and tolerance reassessment for pesticides as required by the Food Quality Protection Act.
Meridian facilitated a two-day retreat at The Hague for the Directors and Board Chairs of the sixteen Centers for International Agricultural Research to discuss ways to enhance and streamline efforts to focus on agricultural products and techniques that benefit developing countries.
A multi-day meeting in Sonning, England, of approximately thirty individuals representing various components of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) to synthesize several work products that had been developed in advance of International Centers Week related to the CGIAR's renewal initiative. The group developed a product that served as the basis for discussions among Consultative Group members at International Centers Week 2000.
Meridian facilitated various internal strategic planning efforts, including three large international meetings, for Emergent Genetics, Inc., a seed biotechnology company seeking to institute a new strategic direction and better integrate research and operations globally.
FIELD is an information and networking resource for an international community interested in agricultural technologies for use by small-scale farmers in developing countries.
Food Security and Ag-Biotech News is a free daily e- news service produced by Meridian Institute and funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Meridian is working with the Generation Challenge Program (GCP) Management Team on overall strategy and is assisting with GCP sponsored meetings involving project collaborators and stakeholders.
Meridian facilitated strategic planning and stakeholder sessions for IFPRI, which is part of the global network of organizations dedicated to international agricultural research. IFPRI is in the process of developing its goals for the next ten years and these meetings are a key part of that planning process.
Meridian conducted an issue mapping process for the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). The process identified and analyzed the range of stakeholder opinions on the nexus between trade, development, and agriculture and identified areas of possible future activity for the GMF.
Meridian staff facilitated a meeting of the board chairs and center directors of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
Meridian Institute provided facilitation and strategic assistance to McDonald’s Corporation and the Alliance for Environmental Innovation, a project of Environmental Defense, as part of McDonald's effort to develop a policy prohibiting the use of certain classes of antibiotics.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), an international collaborative effort involving nearly 1,200 scientists, provided decision-makers and the public with scientific information concerning the effects of ecosystem changes on human well-being, as well as options for responding to those changes.
Meridian helped a 36-member task force from the National Pork Producers Council develop a plan for restructuring the organization.
Meridian staff facilitated a three-day, multi-stakeholder meeting in Bellagio, Italy, in September 2005 to discuss "open source" models of collaboration in the fields of agriculture and health. A meeting summary is available for download in PDF format.
Meridian facilitated the development of a mechanism for U.S. universities and research institutions to collaborate on intellectual property (IP) management for humanitarian use to help meet food security needs in developing countries and for specialty crop development in the U.S.
Meridian staff conducted two issue mapping processes for The Rockefeller Foundation, to help that organization understand the key issues relating to agricultural biotechnology and how the Foundation might best direct its grant-making and convening activities in that arena.
On May 2, 2005, more than 20 staff from The Rockefeller Foundation and eight invited experts participated in an all-day meeting that focused on the role of the Bayh-Dole Act in promoting innovation and the implications of this model for innovation systems in developing countries.
A joint committee of the USDA and EPA, the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC), was established in 1998 to enhance stakeholder input on the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
Meridian convened a broad cross-section of stakeholders to discuss the USDA programs and funding goals of pest management activities within the Department
Meridian has assisted the German Marshall Fund with the design and facilitation of four workshops to explore critical issues relating to the use of biotechnology in agriculture.
Meridian facilitated this conference that explored practices and policies promoting land-based economic activity to sustain families, communities and ecosystems while providing multiple benefits to society. The conference was attended by more than 200 individuals, including farmers, foresters, government officials, companies, community organizations, and advocacy organizations.
Through a series of meetings facilitated by Meridian, participants achieved consensus on "Critical Elements in Transitioning to Biologically Based Pest Management Systems."
Meridian Institute supported a Design Team of agricultural, educational, ICT, development, and evaluation experts in developing a strategy and solution proposals for the best ways that smallholder farmers and their support institutions might share, develop and gain access to new information about agricultural practices and technology that would improve their lives.
Meridian's team of facilitators helped to plan and implement a collaborative forum designed to build communication and address conflicts among Wyoming recreationists, conservationists and Ranchers.
Meridian facilitated a workshop convened by SC Johnson to review issues associated with the development and use of anti-microbial products.
The Committee to Advise on Reassessment and Transition (CARAT) was a Federal Advisory Committee convened by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to consult with and make recommendations to these agencies regarding strategic approaches for pest management planning and tolerance reassessment for pesticides as required by the Food Quality Protection Act.
The dialogue on Assembled Chemical Weapons focused on identifying alternatives to the baseline incineration process for the demilitarization of assembled chemical weapons.
Meridian assisted Dow AgroSciences in the creation, convening, and implementation of an advisory committee of external stakeholders.
Meridian managed a dialogue between Shintech, Inc., and community members to determine whether the community would be willing to host a new polyvinyl chloride production facility.
Meridian staff served as lead facilitator of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC), a federally chartered advisory committee charged with developing recommendations on a strategy for screening and testing chemicals and pesticides as to their potential to disrupt the endocrine (i.e., hormone) systems of humans and other biota.
Meridian provided neutral facilitation services for this Expert Panel Workshop convened by Serono Symposia International and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This innovative project at Dow Chemical Company's Midland, Michigan, facility resulted in reduced toxic emissions and annual cost savings for the company.
Meridian provided a team of external reviewers and facilitators to assist the senior management team in developing a global vision for the organization.
Meridian is facilitating a chartered Federal Advisory Committee that is providing high-level policy advice to the EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) on its diverse programs.
Meridian served as lead mediator, working with parties in the negotiations including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, states, vehicle manufacturers, the steel industry, the environmental community and auto dismantlers and scrap recyclers.
Meridian is providing neutral oversight of an assessment of water management practices at Coca-Cola facilities and the potential impact of pesticides on Coca-Cola products in India.
Meridian Staff facilitated a multi-party process to develop and implement a strategic plan for the management of mercury contamination in the tributaries to the San Francisco Bay/Delta.
A joint committee of the USDA and EPA, the Tolerance Reassessment Advisory Committee (TRAC), was established in 1998 to enhance stakeholder input on the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
Meridian facilitated a National Advisory Council formed by the vinyl industry to help provide the industry with policy advice.
This series of public meetings is designed to obtain input on the design of a voluntary program to test commercial chemicals to which children may have a high likelihood of exposure.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the major agricultural commodity groups (e.g., corn/soybean/wheat growers, livestock producers, and farmer groups) met three times over the course of two years in educational sessions with scientists, policy experts, and environmental organizations to discuss the critical global climate change issues for agriculture.
Meridian assisted participants during a day-long planning session to draft and agree on key priorities for action in California during the subsequent five-year period.
Meridian provided moderation and facilitation support to the 2004 Aspen Green Building Conference
The California Climate Change Workshop was organized jointly by Stanford University’s Institute for the Environment, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of California at Davis, with process support from the Meridian Institute.
Meridian Institute facilitated a dialogue among diverse interests to develop recommendations for best management practices for coal bed methane development in the Rocky Mountain West.
Meridian Institute is facilitating a collaborative effort to further the development of a comprehensive system of indicators and statistical data regarding the nation’s environment and natural resources.
Meridian staff facilitated a series of meetings of the Residential Energy Code Advisory Group, which was convened by E-Star Colorado to discuss ways to assist local jurisdictions with residential energy code adoption, compliance, and enforcement.
Meridian facilitated a senior management retreat of the EPA Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards in North Carolina.
This project is developing a voluntary nitrogen oxide reduction program from ground support equipment (GSE) and aircraft.
Meridian staff facilitated two meetings of national leaders of the conservation and ranching communities and the energy industry to discuss the impacts of oil and gas development on ranching and fish and wildlife on public lands.
Meridian staff facilitated two meetings among U.S. environmental group leaders in which participants discussed how their organizations could work together more effectively on climate change and energy issues.
In July 2002, Meridian Institute convened and facilitated the Forum on a Greenhouse Gas Accounting System: Taking Stock and Prioritizing Action.
Meridian staff facilitated this climate change workshop, which involved high-level policy makers and NGO leaders from the U.S. and Europe.
Meridian Institute is assisting with a collaborative process to develop technology-based climate measures and related low-carbon finance mechanisms needed to accelerate technology commercialization.
Meridian Institute conducted an assessment of the potential to collaboratively resolve air quality and other environmental issues at the Mohave Generating Station in Nevada.
Meridian has been providing facilitation, process design, and strategy development services for internal initiatives, collaboration among state legislatures and developing new institutions within NCSL.
Meridian served as the lead moderator and facilitator for this pre-conference seminar which was designed as an action-oriented effort to explore short and long-term energy policy options in the absence of a national energy strategy.
Meridian provided a team of external reviewers and facilitators to assist the senior management team in developing a global vision for the organization.
Meridian facilitated a two-day meeting of seventy participants for the National Governors Association (NGA). The meeting was designed to inform a 16-member task force of state officials about electric transmission line siting issues. Meridian also assisted the group in developing consensus recommendations for the NGA Natural Resources Committee about NGA policy on the issue.
Meridian is working under a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to research the potential and need for a large, multi-stakeholder, global conference on climate change. Meridian also is investigating what alternatives, if any, might better meet current and emerging needs in the field.
At the request of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Meridian helped convene and facilitated a two-day multi-stakeholder dialogue on issues and options related to legislative proposals for multi-pollution under the Clean Air Act.
Meridian Institute conducted an “issues mapping” effort for the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility and the World Bank regarding the provision of infrastructure services in developing countries.
Meridian is facilitating two pilot watershed planning efforts for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, to address issues associated with coal bed methane development.
Meridian and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in convened a working conference, Climate Science and Climate Action: Bridging the Gap in Aspen Colorado in the fall of 2005.
Meridian provided process assistance to a legislatively mandated task force that was formed to seek ways to accommodate conflicting uses (military training and endangered species protection) at the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona.
Meridian assisted a 14-member, multistakeholder Working Group to develop recommendations for the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Wildlife Commission regarding the management of wolves that migrate into the state.
In 2003, Meridian Institute helped an interdisciplinary, interagency body known as Everglades Restoration Coordination and Verification (RECOVER) to develop an adaptive management strategy for the recovery of the Everglades during the next thirty years.
In 1999, Meridian facilitated two workshops among diverse stakeholders regarding the implementation of Endangered Species Act (ESA) provisions for private landowners.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), an international collaborative effort involving nearly 1,200 scientists, provided decision-makers and the public with scientific information concerning the effects of ecosystem changes on human well-being, as well as options for responding to those changes.
Meridian facilitated a meeting to explore how to better share information related to the recovery of the Pacific Salmon and other threatened and/or endangered species.
The Puget Sound Salmon Leaders' Forum has been an ongoing effort to help develop a "shared strategy" to recover the endangered salmon in the Puget Sound area.
Meridian staff facilitated a two-day strategic planning session for the Southern Rockies Wolf Restoration Project. This coalition of NGOs is advocating for the reintroduction of wolves into Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Meridian staff facilitated a multi-stakeholder workshop to review options for reducing ship strike mortality to endangered Right Whales.
Meridian Staff designed and facilitated a two-day strategic planning retreat for Sinapu, an environmental organization working for the restoration and protection of carnivores in the Rocky Mountain region.
Meridian staff facilitated a meeting among approximately 40 individuals concerned with salmon recovery in the Willamette River Basin.
Meridian convened and facilitated a one-day workshop in The Hague on Liability and Redress issues in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The workshop provided an overview of some of the substantive and procedural issues related to liability and redress. The workshop was scheduled immediately in advance of the third meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Cartagena Protocol to help inform negotiators about this complicated issue.
Meridian helped to design and facilitate a meeting on regulatory options related to coal ash disposal.
This conference was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, convened by the World Resources Institute, and facilitated by Meridian Institute. It involved senior level decision-makers from all relevant sectors of society.
Meridian facilitated a meeting at which more than 80 diverse stakeholders provided input to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) about an Internet-accessible database that includes information about contaminated environmental media, facilities, and wastes at DOE facilities.
Meridian Institute provided assistance to EPA's "Arctic Strategy" initiative which focused on issues of particular concern to EPA in Alaska, such as contaminants in subsistence foods.
Meridian Institute served as the facilitator for an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) senior management session to assess the integration of regional and national program priorities.
Meridian Institute assisted an internal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) steering committee that was tasked with developing recommendations to the Deputy Administrator on ways to improve results-based management within EPA.
Meridian Institute provided internal assistance to this office within the Office of the Administrator as the agency restructured its operations.
This project is developing a voluntary nitrogen oxide reduction program from ground support equipment (GSE) and aircraft.
Meridian staff facilitated two meetings of national leaders of the conservation and ranching communities and the energy industry to discuss the impacts of oil and gas development on ranching and fish and wildlife on public lands.
Meridian facilitated and coordinated a federal advisory panel convened by the Environmental Protection Agency to focus on the future role of the Superfund program in addressing the nation's hazardous waste sites.
Meridian provided a team of external reviewers and facilitators to assist the senior management team in developing a global vision for the organization.
Meridian staff facilitated a community planning and design process for the Port of Houston Authority, regarding the proposed construction of a 1,000-acre terminal/cruise ship facility in Galveston Bay.
Meridian staff co-facilitated a large stakeholder meeting to discuss the redevelopment of contaminated sites in Utah’s Salt Lake Valley.
Meridian facilitated a planning session for USPS environmental coordinators to prioritize issues and launch a strategic planning process that will integrate environment in USPS business activities.
Meridian Institute was the lead facilitator for two Environmental Summits convened by the Western Governors’ Association (WGA).
Meridian Institute designed and facilitated two conferences as part of the White House Initiative on Recycling.
Meridian is facilitating and coordinating a diverse group of stakeholders working to reclaim and clean up a copper mine in western Nevada.
As a follow up to the 2004 Hurricane Lessons Learned Conference, Meridian Institute facilitated the 2005 Hurricane Planning in the Southeast U.S. Conference to bring together federal and state responders, along with industry and other participants.
Meridian convened and co-facilitated a dialogue group that produced recommendations for ecosystem-based management at the Nellis Air Force Range in Nevada.
Meridian Institute provided mediation for the settlement of two longstanding lawsuits related to Air Force operations in southwestern Idaho.
Meridian staff organized and moderated several sessions on forest certification at the Forest Leadership Forum in Atlanta.
Meridian provided process assistance to a legislatively mandated task force that was formed to seek ways to accommodate conflicting uses (military training and endangered species protection) at the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona.
Meridian Institute worked with the U.S. Forest Service and the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments to help build a more constructive relationship between the U.S. Forest Service and local governments in Colorado's Blue River Watershed (home of our Dillon office).
Meridian Institute facilitated a dialogue among diverse interests to develop recommendations for best management practices for coal bed methane development in the Rocky Mountain West.
Meridian Institute is facilitating a collaborative effort to further the development of a comprehensive system of indicators and statistical data regarding the nation’s environment and natural resources.
The Collaborative Adaptive Management Network (CAMNet), a joint project of Meridian Institute and Steve Light, Ph.D., advances excellence in the practice of collaborative adaptive management through dialogue across disciplinary, organizational, institutional, and geographic boundaries.
Since 2003, Meridian Institute has been working in partnership with the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution to design and facilitate annual Collaborative Forest Restoration Program workshops and to facilitate the FACA committee that makes recommendations about which CFRP projects to fund.
Meridian assisted a 14-member, multistakeholder Working Group to develop recommendations for the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Wildlife Commission regarding the management of wolves that migrate into the state.
Meridian staff convened and facilitated a panel of experts to produce a comparative analysis of the U.S. Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative programs.
In the fall of 2006, Meridian facilitated three regional listening sessions for the Conservation Fund on conserving open space in the United States and the role of the USDA Forest Service in such an effort.
Meridian facilitated a workshop that resulted in guidance for decision makers and others regarding information about the conservation and management of cougars.
In 2003, Meridian Institute helped an interdisciplinary, interagency body known as Everglades Restoration Coordination and Verification (RECOVER) to develop an adaptive management strategy for the recovery of the Everglades during the next thirty years.
Meridian staff facilitated two workshops regarding options for addressing beach erosion and replenishment on Fire Island in New York.
For the US Army Corps of Engineers, facilitated a two-day workshop to explore non-structural damage reduction options for Suffolk County Long Island’s South Shore.
Meridian staff served as lead facilitator for this dialogue among the managers and leading stakeholders of the five major forest certification programs.
Meridian staff facilitated two meetings of national leaders of the conservation and ranching communities and the energy industry to discuss the impacts of oil and gas development on ranching and fish and wildlife on public lands.
In the Florida Everglades, restoration of the ecosystem is said to hinge on the completion of the WCA-3 Decompartmentalization Project. Decision makers in the region have determined to pursue the development of this crucial project through a collaborative adaptive management approach being managed by Meridian Institute and Steve Light, Ph.D.
Meridian facilitated a week-long retreat of the USDA Forest Service's Open Space Conservation Initiative development team to draft a plan for open space conservation.
Meridian staff facilitated a series of strategic planning sessions for the board and staff of Forest Trends, an organization that focuses on accelerating the use of markets to further advance sustainable forest management.
In November 2004, Meridian Institute facilitated the Global Connections Forum, a workshop sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, to enable forestry and resource management experts to discuss community-based approaches to sustainable natural resource management and conservation around the world.
Meridian staff facilitated two teambuilding and strategic planning sessions for the Core Planning Team at the Grand Mesa, Uncompagre, Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest in Southwestern Colorado.
In 2003, Meridian was asked by the Grand Mesa Uncomphagre Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest to consult with stakeholders in Western Colorado regarding the structure and design of the "County Partnership in Restoration" program—an innovative initiative to involve multiple stakeholders in regional forest restoration.
Meridian Institute facilitated a three-day synthesis workshop for the Science/Policy Interface Task Force of IUFRO.
Meridian assisted the Institute for Environment and Natural Resources (IENR) at the University of Wyoming in conducting a collaborative process which resulted in resulted in a report containing a series of recommendations to the National Park Service regarding how best to manage open space south of Grand Teton National Park.
Meridian Institute, along with two partner organizations, conducted a situation assessment of the controversy over the management of bison and elk herds near Jackson, Wyoming.
Meridian Institute facilitated a workshop for U.S. Forest Service personnel, to enable them to plan for the implementation of the 2004 National Forest Management Act planning rule.
Meridian assisted multiple stakeholders in structuring a collaborative problem-solving process for addressing landowner and threatened species' needs through development of a county-wide plan and served as convening facilitator for public and steering group meetings.
Meridian staff facilitated a meeting of stakeholders from academia, industry, and federal agencies in May 2005 to discuss the need, purpose, scope, and implementation strategy for the Loblolly Pine Genome Project.
Meridian staff facilitated a meeting among federal and state agency personnel regarding the performance-based funding allocation methodology approved by Congress for Urban Community Forestry programs.
This dialogue project resulted in a consensus report that includes thirteen recommendations aimed at reducing forest fragmentation in the United States by implementing changes in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
In 1999, Meridian facilitated two workshops among diverse stakeholders regarding the implementation of Endangered Species Act (ESA) provisions for private landowners.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), an international collaborative effort involving nearly 1,200 scientists, provided decision-makers and the public with scientific information concerning the effects of ecosystem changes on human well-being, as well as options for responding to those changes.
At the request of the Forest Roads Working Group, Meridian served as convenor and facilitator of a multi-stakeholder dialogue focused on how to resolve the longstanding issue of the degree of permanent protection that should be provided for roadless areas in the National Forest System.
Meridian provided a team of external reviewers and facilitators to assist the senior management team in developing a global vision for the organization.
Assisted the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution to convene and facilitate a series of workshops to explore how pilot projects can be used to determine how collaboration, consensus building, and appropriate dispute resolution processes can improve the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Meridian staff facilitated a series of strategic planning sessions for the senior staff of ABI, which renamed itself as NatureServe as a result of the strategic planning process.
Meridian staff facilitated a meeting sponsored by the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry regarding the future of the global forest products market and its implications for forest biodiversity.
Meridian Institute provided expertise in adaptive management to help the Northwest Colorado Stewardship (NECOS) in its efforts to develop an adaptive management based alternative for the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Management Plan in northwestern Colorado.
Meridian facilitated a meeting to explore how to better share information related to the recovery of the Pacific Salmon and other threatened and/or endangered species.
Meridian is facilitating a collaborative effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Federal Assistance and its state grantee agencies to develop a strategic plan for over $650 million in annual Federal Assistance grants to state fish and wildlife agencies.
Meridian staff assisted the Board of the nonprofit Pinchot Institute for Conservation in conducting an internal strategic planning process.
The Puget Sound Salmon Leaders' Forum has been an ongoing effort to help develop a "shared strategy" to recover the endangered salmon in the Puget Sound area.
Meridian staff facilitated a two-day strategic planning session for the Southern Rockies Wolf Restoration Project. This coalition of NGOs is advocating for the reintroduction of wolves into Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Meridian Institute facilitates the Roundtable on Sustainable Forests, an ongoing multi-stakeholder dialogue focused on shared leadership and learning around the goal of sustainable forest management.
Meridian provides advice to the Ruckelshaus Institute for Environment and Natural Resources at the University regarding the role of collaborative problem solving processes in natural resource decision making.
Meridian staff served as lead facilitator for this second international dialogue among the managers and leading stakeholders of the five major forest certification programs.
Meridian Institute facilitated multi-stakeholder workshops for Shell International that served to inform the development of Shell’s five-year biodiversity strategy.
Meridian Staff designed and facilitated a two-day strategic planning retreat for Sinapu, an environmental organization working for the restoration and protection of carnivores in the Rocky Mountain region.
The Sustainable Forestry Board identified a policy priority of developing new strategies and standard language for addressing forests of exceptional conservation value within the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s 2002-04 program enhancements. Meridian was the co-facilitator for the Working Group and the consensus recommendations resulted in the development of a plan for a detailed, collaborative database identifying forest communities that are critically imperiled or imperiled, based on existing conservation status ranking systems.
Meridian Institute was hired to facilitate a two-and-a-half day conference to discuss whether and how to expand the Sustainable Forest Partnership (SFP). The conference ended with general agreement by participants on ways to strengthen and expand the SFP and likely future involvement with the expanded partnership.
Meridian facilitated a meeting among staff of The Nature Conservancy and members of its International Leadership Council (ILC), in order to develop recommendations regarding the ILC's goals and structure and make associated updates to the ILC's charter.
Meridian facilitated a strategic planning process regarding a newly acquired Nature Conservancy property in Colorado’s San Louis Valley.
This project assists in building cooperative efforts and partnerships among the federal agencies addressing mining related issues.
Meridian facilitated a meeting to develop new goals, objectives, and structures for the Treated Wood Council.
John Ehrmann presented a lecture about challenges of utilizing collaborative approaches in environmental and natural resource disputes during the University of Wyoming's Summer Lecture Series.
Sponsored by the US Animal Health Association, the 2005 Brucellosis Working Symposium, held in Laramie, WY, brought together experts in the field to explore brucellosis vaccines and diagnostics for the Greater Yellowstone Area wildlife.
At the request of the UDSA Forest Service, Meridian Institute designed and facilitated a two-day workshop in February 2003 on options to provide diversity of plant and animal communities in land and resource management planning.
Meridian staff facilitated a meeting among approximately 40 individuals concerned with salmon recovery in the Willamette River Basin.
Meridian Institute, in cooperation with the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, will conduct a Workshop on Assessing Environmental Outcomes of Community-Based Collaboratives (CBCs) on September 12-13, 2003 at the Snowbird Resort and Conference Center near Salt Lake City, Utah.
Meridian staff facilitated a workshop for Defenders of Wildlife and its partners regarding how to integrate consideration of biodiversity into land use planning.
A Meridian staff member co-facilitated a workshop on the use of collaborative decision making approaches under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Meridian is partnering with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to provide strategic and process advice to a series of pilot projects with members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Ecosystems Champions Group (ECG).
Meridian's team of facilitators helped to plan and implement a collaborative forum designed to build communication and address conflicts among Wyoming recreationists, conservationists and Ranchers.
Meridian assisted an interdisciplinary team from Europe and the United States to design and facilitate stage one of Aventis' "Pharma Scenarios for Sustainable Healthcare" effort.
Meridian facilitated a multistakeholder roundtable discussion on the use of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and their alternatives in electronics.
Meridian staff served as lead facilitator of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC), a federally chartered advisory committee charged with developing recommendations on a strategy for screening and testing chemicals and pesticides as to their potential to disrupt the endocrine (i.e., hormone) systems of humans and other biota.
Meridian provided neutral facilitation services for this Expert Panel Workshop convened by Serono Symposia International and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Meridian, in partnership with Search for Common Ground-USA, facilitated a national policy dialogue among diverse stakeholders that resulted in a comprehensive set of consensus recommendations for expanding health care coverage for the uninsured in the United States.
Meridian Institute and Energetics facilitated a tabletop exercise to explore how an outbreak of pandemic influenza would affect U.S. businesses and government, and how these two could work together to ensure the continuity of essential functions and services during a pandemic.
Meridian Institute provided facilitation and strategic assistance to McDonald’s Corporation and the Alliance for Environmental Innovation, a project of Environmental Defense, as part of McDonald's effort to develop a policy prohibiting the use of certain classes of antibiotics.
Meridian helped the Healthcare Sector establish a sector coordinating council (SCC) to facilitate its efforts to preserve and restore the critical functions of the nation’s healthcare delivery system.
Meridian facilitated a two-day meeting of seventy participants for the National Governors Association (NGA). The meeting was designed to inform a 16-member task force of state officials about electric transmission line siting issues. Meridian also assisted the group in developing consensus recommendations for the NGA Natural Resources Committee about NGA policy on the issue.
For the Duke Energy Foundation and ORC Worldwide, Meridian facilitated a two-day national contractor safety conference.
Meridian facilitated a one-day strategic planning staff retreat for the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures (OPHEMC).
Meridian staff facilitated a three-day, multi-stakeholder meeting in Bellagio, Italy, in September 2005 to discuss "open source" models of collaboration in the fields of agriculture and health. A meeting summary is available for download in PDF format.
In 2006, Meridian Institute facilitated two Pandemic Flu Preparedness Workshops for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Meridian Institute has provided Planned Parenthood with a variety of internal problem solving, strategic planning, and organizational development services, as well as facilitating internal dialogues around issues of conflict.
Meridian staff facilitated three meetings among public health leaders from throughout the United States to develop a vision for a state-of-the-art public health system that can achieve public health goals in the 21st century.
On May 2, 2005, more than 20 staff from The Rockefeller Foundation and eight invited experts participated in an all-day meeting that focused on the role of the Bayh-Dole Act in promoting innovation and the implications of this model for innovation systems in developing countries.
Meridian staff facilitated a meeting among members of a large trade association, in order to help them develop a common position on proposed changes to federal regulations.
Meridian provided facilitation and strategic planning support for the Executive Committee of the U.S. Animal Health Association during the process of hiring a new Executive Director
Sponsored by the US Animal Health Association, the 2005 Brucellosis Working Symposium, held in Laramie, WY, brought together experts in the field to explore brucellosis vaccines and diagnostics for the Greater Yellowstone Area wildlife.
This series of public meetings is designed to obtain input on the design of a voluntary program to test commercial chemicals to which children may have a high likelihood of exposure.
Meridian co-facilitated a two-day stakeholder dialogue on intellectual property rights and medicine for the World Business Council on Sustainable Development.
Meridian helped to design and facilitate a meeting on regulatory options related to coal ash disposal.
Meridian Institute facilitated a dialogue among diverse interests to develop recommendations for best management practices for coal bed methane development in the Rocky Mountain West.
Assisted the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution to convene and facilitate a series of workshops to explore how pilot projects can be used to determine how collaboration, consensus building, and appropriate dispute resolution processes can improve the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Meridian Staff facilitated a multi-party process to develop and implement a strategic plan for the management of mercury contamination in the tributaries to the San Francisco Bay/Delta.
This project assists in building cooperative efforts and partnerships among the federal agencies addressing mining related issues.
A Meridian staff member co-facilitated a workshop on the use of collaborative decision making approaches under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Meridian is facilitating and coordinating a diverse group of stakeholders working to reclaim and clean up a copper mine in western Nevada.
In 2003 and 2004, Meridian Institute and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars convened a series of dialogue sessions focused on the relationship between nanotechnology and federal regulation in the United States.
Meridian Institute convened the International Workshop on Nanotechnology, Commodities, and Development 29 – 31 May 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to: examine nanotechnology applications that are effecting or may effect demand for agricultural and mineral commodities; identify mechanisms to anticipate, measure, analyze, and address the impact of nanotechnology applications on commodity-dependent developing countries; and catalyze actions that could proactively address potential opportunities and risks associated with shifting demand for commodities resulting from nanotechnology research and development.
Meridian Institute convened the International Workshop on Nanotechnology, Water, and Development in Chennai, India to address the potential opportunities and risks of nanotechnology water purification technologies for developing countries and to develop recommendations and identify activities to inform decisions and catalyze actions by diverse stakeholders.
Meridian Institute is convening a multistakeholder dialogue on the potential opportunities and risks of nanotechnology for poor people in developing countries.
Meridian facilitated the first meeting of the International Council on Nanotechnology in October 2004 in Houston, Texas.
Meridian Institute facilitated the 2004 (USA) and 2006 (Japan) meetings of the International Dialogue on Responsible Research and Development. These meetings, each involving representatives from more than 25 countries and the European Union, focused on how to best ensure nanotechnology research and development programs are carried out in a responsible manner.
In January 2006, Meridian facilitated the IRGC Workshop on "A Conceptual Risk Governance Framework for Nanotechnology."
Nanotechnology and Development News is a free daily news service produced by Meridian Institute.
Meridian is facilitating a chartered Federal Advisory Committee that is providing high-level policy advice to the EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) on its diverse programs.
Meridian assisted in the design and facilitation of an intensive visioning and planning process to develop the technology requirements for the United States Army's "Objective Force Warrior Program." The process emphasized the ability to address traditional, asymmetric, and special operations requirements for soldiers in 2010.
In February 2006, Meridian facilitated a workshop co-sponsored by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the National Science, and the National Institutes of Health during which 75 leading national and international nano-scientists, social scientists and others explored critical scientific, technological and social trends in the medium and long term.
Meridian organized and facilitated two informational meetings regarding nanotechnology for senior leadership of the Rockefeller Foundation.
Meridian convened and facilitated a one-day workshop in The Hague on Liability and Redress issues in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The workshop provided an overview of some of the substantive and procedural issues related to liability and redress. The workshop was scheduled immediately in advance of the third meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Cartagena Protocol to help inform negotiators about this complicated issue.
The dialogue on Assembled Chemical Weapons focused on identifying alternatives to the baseline incineration process for the demilitarization of assembled chemical weapons.
These workshops provided a venue for early public input on a proposed rule that would allow for the recycling of low-level radioactive material.
Meridian staff conducted an issues assessment regarding the management of the Bering Sea ecosystem.
In January 2003, Meridian assisted the full membership of the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority (CBFWA) in drafting and agreeing on a new strategic vision for CBFWA, as well as to outline an action plan for the next three to five years. The future direction of CBFWA has not been examined in a number of years, and the fish and wildlife policies in the Columbia River Basin are in a state of considerable flux because of proposed significant changes to hydropower operations that may reduce benefits to fish and wildlife. In addition, Bonneville Power Administration is facing a long-term financial crisis that may significantly reduce opportunities to mitigate damage to fish and wildlife. In a three-day meeting, Meridian facilitators identified a new vision, priorities and actions items to be adopted at an upcoming annual meeting.
In 2003, Meridian Institute helped an interdisciplinary, interagency body known as Everglades Restoration Coordination and Verification (RECOVER) to develop an adaptive management strategy for the recovery of the Everglades during the next thirty years.
Meridian staff facilitated a dialogue among state and federal agency personnel that resulted in a consensus-based action plan to address priority issues for managing, on a regional basis, the Gulf of Mexico’s ocean and coastal resources.
Meridian Institute is serving as convenor, process designer, facilitator, and secretariat of a joint effort between members of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission to accelerate the reform of U.S. oceans policy.
Meridian Institute provided strategic planning assistance and facilitation for Long Live the Kings, an organization dedicated to the restoration of Pacific Salmon.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), an international collaborative effort involving nearly 1,200 scientists, provided decision-makers and the public with scientific information concerning the effects of ecosystem changes on human well-being, as well as options for responding to those changes.
Meridian provided a team of external reviewers and facilitators to assist the senior management team in developing a global vision for the organization.
Meridian Institute facilitated a strategic planning retreat in February 2007 for the Board of Trustees of the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation.
Meridian Institute provided facilitation for an organizational meeting of the North Pacific Research Board.
The Puget Sound Salmon Leaders' Forum has been an ongoing effort to help develop a "shared strategy" to recover the endangered salmon in the Puget Sound area.
Meridian staff facilitated a multi-stakeholder workshop to review options for reducing ship strike mortality to endangered Right Whales.
Meridian Institute led a strategic planning retreat for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board in the State of Washington.
Meridian staff is facilitating a nine-month process for SeaWeb, a communications-based nonprofit organization that works to advance ocean conservation.
Meridian Institute provided strategic advice and facilitation services to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, a 16-member Federal Advisory Committee created by the Oceans Act of 2000. The Commission published its final report in September 2004.
Meridian provided advice on options for restarting negotiations between the U.S. and Canada on fishery regimes for the management of Pacific Salmon to the Special Envoy for the President, William Ruckelshaus.
Meridian Institute assisted the Rockefeller Foundation in establishing the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) to benefit resource-poor small farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the major agricultural commodity groups (e.g., corn/soybean/wheat growers, livestock producers, and farmer groups) met three times over the course of two years in educational sessions with scientists, policy experts, and environmental organizations to discuss the critical global climate change issues for agriculture.
Meridian convened and facilitated a one-day workshop in The Hague on Liability and Redress issues in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The workshop provided an overview of some of the substantive and procedural issues related to liability and redress. The workshop was scheduled immediately in advance of the third meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Cartagena Protocol to help inform negotiators about this complicated issue.
Meridian facilitated two meetings for the CIMMYT senior management team to discuss the implementation of their strategic plan, which was developed in 2002.
Meridian Institute helped CIMMYT, the international agricultural research center located outside Mexico City, to develop a long-term strategic plan, an implementation plan, and relevant future scenarios through an extensive collaborative decision-making process.
Meridian Institute facilitated a dialogue among diverse interests to develop recommendations for best management practices for coal bed methane development in the Rocky Mountain West.
The dialogue on Assembled Chemical Weapons focused on identifying alternatives to the baseline incineration process for the demilitarization of assembled chemical weapons.
In 2003 and 2004, Meridian Institute and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars convened a series of dialogue sessions focused on the relationship between nanotechnology and federal regulation in the United States.
Meridian staff facilitated a three-day workshop among leaders from professional societies on the topic of data sharing and archiving.
Meridian staff served as lead facilitator of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC), a federally chartered advisory committee charged with developing recommendations on a strategy for screening and testing chemicals and pesticides as to their potential to disrupt the endocrine (i.e., hormone) systems of humans and other biota.
This project is developing a voluntary nitrogen oxide reduction program from ground support equipment (GSE) and aircraft.
FIELD is an information and networking resource for an international community interested in agricultural technologies for use by small-scale farmers in developing countries.
Food Security and Ag-Biotech News is a free daily e- news service produced by Meridian Institute and funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Meridian Institute convened the International Workshop on Nanotechnology, Commodities, and Development 29 – 31 May 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to: examine nanotechnology applications that are effecting or may effect demand for agricultural and mineral commodities; identify mechanisms to anticipate, measure, analyze, and address the impact of nanotechnology applications on commodity-dependent developing countries; and catalyze actions that could proactively address potential opportunities and risks associated with shifting demand for commodities resulting from nanotechnology research and development.
Meridian Institute convened the International Workshop on Nanotechnology, Water, and Development in Chennai, India to address the potential opportunities and risks of nanotechnology water purification technologies for developing countries and to develop recommendations and identify activities to inform decisions and catalyze actions by diverse stakeholders.
Meridian is working with the Generation Challenge Program (GCP) Management Team on overall strategy and is assisting with GCP sponsored meetings involving project collaborators and stakeholders.
Meridian Institute is convening a multistakeholder dialogue on the potential opportunities and risks of nanotechnology for poor people in developing countries.
Meridian facilitated the first meeting of the International Council on Nanotechnology in October 2004 in Houston, Texas.
Meridian Institute facilitated the 2004 (USA) and 2006 (Japan) meetings of the International Dialogue on Responsible Research and Development. These meetings, each involving representatives from more than 25 countries and the European Union, focused on how to best ensure nanotechnology research and development programs are carried out in a responsible manner.
In January 2006, Meridian facilitated the IRGC Workshop on "A Conceptual Risk Governance Framework for Nanotechnology."
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), an international collaborative effort involving nearly 1,200 scientists, provided decision-makers and the public with scientific information concerning the effects of ecosystem changes on human well-being, as well as options for responding to those changes.
Nanotechnology and Development News is a free daily news service produced by Meridian Institute.
Meridian helped the information technology sector establish a Sector Coordinating Council to facilitate its critical infrastructure protection efforts.
Meridian is facilitating a chartered Federal Advisory Committee that is providing high-level policy advice to the EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) on its diverse programs.
Meridian facilitated a series of meetings designed to promote public private partnerships and collaboration related to for national security technology development and deployment.
Meridian assisted in the design and facilitation of an intensive visioning and planning process to develop the technology requirements for the United States Army's "Objective Force Warrior Program." The process emphasized the ability to address traditional, asymmetric, and special operations requirements for soldiers in 2010.
Meridian staff facilitated a three-day, multi-stakeholder meeting in Bellagio, Italy, in September 2005 to discuss "open source" models of collaboration in the fields of agriculture and health. A meeting summary is available for download in PDF format.
In 2006, Meridian Institute facilitated two Pandemic Flu Preparedness Workshops for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In February 2006, Meridian facilitated a workshop co-sponsored by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the National Science, and the National Institutes of Health during which 75 leading national and international nano-scientists, social scientists and others explored critical scientific, technological and social trends in the medium and long term.
Meridian facilitated the development of a mechanism for U.S. universities and research institutions to collaborate on intellectual property (IP) management for humanitarian use to help meet food security needs in developing countries and for specialty crop development in the U.S.
Meridian assisted the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) in conceptualizing new approaches for obtaining and better integrating the advice of the international scientific community into the strategic directions and project level decision making by the GEF.
Meridian organized and facilitated two informational meetings regarding nanotechnology for senior leadership of the Rockefeller Foundation.
On May 2, 2005, more than 20 staff from The Rockefeller Foundation and eight invited experts participated in an all-day meeting that focused on the role of the Bayh-Dole Act in promoting innovation and the implications of this model for innovation systems in developing countries.
Meridian worked with the Congressionally-created Tennessee Center for Homeland Security to plan, design, and facilitate formation of the Tennessee Consortium for Homeland Security.
Meridian has assisted the German Marshall Fund with the design and facilitation of four workshops to explore critical issues relating to the use of biotechnology in agriculture.
As a follow up to the 2004 Hurricane Lessons Learned Conference, Meridian Institute facilitated the 2005 Hurricane Planning in the Southeast U.S. Conference to bring together federal and state responders, along with industry and other participants.
Meridian Institute facilitated a strategic planning retreat for the Department of Homeland Security’s Private Sector Office.
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