Discussion panel: The role of non-governmental organizations in study, conservation and management of saline lakes

This discussion panel is aimed at NGOs that work on the conservation of the natural values and cultural heritage of saline lakes and surrounding landscapes, volunteerism, restoration of saltworks for environmental, cultural and social purposes as well as activism against the environmental degradation of these sites. NGOs are essential stakeholders that act as a hinge between science, policy, and society. NGOs have the capacity to understand and apply research outcomes, collaborate with academia and stimulate citizen science, helping translate scientific results to decision makers and the public at large. Thanks to the close ties NGOs have with local communities, they can mobilize them for action and are perceived as free from political bias with respect to conservation issues. The goal of this panel is to exchange good practices, address environmental challenges faced by saline lakes, and establish ties between the NGO networks and ISSLR. The discussion is open for all participants of the 15th International Conference on Salt Lake Research (4-8 November 2024, Antalya, Turkey). Register to take part in the conference to participate in the discussion panel.

Panel chairpersons:

Katia Hueso, IPAISAL Network/Comillas Pontifical University, Spain
Lynn de Freitas, Executive Director, FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake, USA

Discussion panel: Solutions for Shrinking Saline Lakes

Saline lakes may report on the scarcity of water in a geographical region because their terminal nature balances input with evaporation. Consumptive overuse in the watersheds for development and agriculture has put stress on many of these lakes, and the warming temperatures of climate change are speeding the decline. In this roundtable, stakeholders representing different lakes and sectors (scientists, conservationists, policy-makers, industrialists, nature lovers) will brainstorm challenges that these ecosystems face and will suggest steps towards solutions. The expected outcomes of this panel are 1) a set of solutions that can improve sustainable management practices concerning saline lakes, 2) a research paper that reviews these challenges and solutions and suggests a path forward. The discussion is open for all participants of the 15th International Conference on Salt Lake Research (4-8 November 2024, Antalya, Turkey). Register to take part in the conference to participate in the discussion panel.

Panel chairpersons:

Bonnie Baxter, Director, Great Salt Lake Institute, Westminster University, USA
Massoud Tajrishy, Sharif University of Technology, Iran