Canon National Parks Science Scholars 2003; Recipients of Scholarships Announced at Vth World Parks Congress in South Africa.

Business Editors/Environment Writers

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2003

Next Generation Of Scientists To Conduct Research in

U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru

The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program for the Americas, the first and only program of its kind that encourages doctoral students to conduct innovative research on scientific problems critical to national parks, has selected eight new Ph.D. students as recipients of its prestigious annual scholarships. The 2003 recipients, who each receive US$78,000 in scholarships over three years, are students studying in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Peru and the United States.

The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program, which helps develop the next generation of scientists working in the fields of conservation, environmental science and national park management, is a collaboration among Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ); the National Park Service (NPS); and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the science society.

The 2003 scholarship recipients were announced during a reception for young conservationists sponsored by Canon U.S.A. during the Vth World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa. Organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the congress, which is held every 10 years, brings together states, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations from 140 countries to discuss worldwide protected areas.

"Canon Scholars are ambassadors of Canon's commitment to conservation," said Kinya Uchida, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "We are honored to have these talented young scientists recognized at the Vth World Parks Congress, and for the role this program plays in furthering scientific understanding of protected areas around the globe."

The 2004 scholarship competition also was announced during the reception for young conservationists at the congress. Details are available at www.nature.nps.gov/canonscholarships/ . During the 10-day congress, Canon will participate on a panel that discusses tourism, business and protected areas, presenting "The Business Case for Protected Areas" to address corporate commitment to social responsibility and the environment.

"The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program is an outstanding illustration of corporate donors strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of protected areas leaders," said Kenton Miller, congress chair of the world commission on protected areas. "These scholars will one day be leaders in the pursuit of worldwide conservation and the ecologically sustainable use of nature and natural resources. Their research and leadership will definitely provide benefits beyond boundaries, the theme of the Vth World Parks Congress."

Established in 1997, the program expanded internationally in 2002 to include the United States, Canada, Mexico, the countries of Central and South America, and the countries of the Caribbean. Canon National Parks Science Scholars have conducted research in over 50 national parks. They have published and presented over 75 scientific articles and presentations.

"I am once again very pleased to welcome the newest Canon scholarship recipients, and look forward to next year's class as well," said Fran Mainella, director, U.S. National Park Service. "This program is a valued partnership consisting of students, universities, Canon U.S.A., the AAAS and the NPS. I personally look forward to this as a wonderful opportunity to recognize young people and their role in this important event," she added referring to the reception at the congress, "and to see the exciting research projects that will benefit the national parks."

The program annually awards eight individual scholarships, totaling US$624,000, to Ph.D. students from throughout the Americas. Scholars are selected from the disciplines of biological sciences, physical sciences, social/cultural sciences and technology innovation in support of conservation science. The scholarships provide students with resources to conduct research critical to conserving the national parks of the Americas.

"The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program is an extraordinary program that produces exceptional results," said Dr. Alan Leshner, CEO, American Association for the Advancement of Science and the executive publisher of the AAAS journal Science. "We are delighted that this program and its scholars were recognized at such a prestigious event at the Vth World Parks Congress. We believe that the program continues to select outstanding scholars who will advance science and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people."

To date, Canon U.S.A. has committed more than eight million dollars (U.S.) to the program. Since 1990, the company's environmental philanthropy has exceeded US$30 million, establishing it as one of the largest corporate supporters of environmental education and conservation.

"Throughout the hemisphere, it's clear that we need science for effective park management, and parks are extraordinary places for research in many scientific disciplines," said Dr. Gary Machlis, NPS visiting senior scientist and coordinator for the program. "'Parks for science, science for parks' is essential - and the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program for the Americas does both. These young scientists are extraordinary, and Canon U.S.A. is to be congratulated for the legacy it is building with their generous support."

Canon delivers consumer, business-to-business and industrial imaging solutions. Canon also is a global leader in sustainable product design and industrial ecology.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world's largest general scientific organization. They are committed to the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program and to furthering the research efforts of these young scientists. The AAAS, the science society, is a nonprofit professional society dedicated to fostering scientific freedom and responsibility, improving the effectiveness of science in the promotion of human welfare, advancing education in science, and increasing the public's understanding and appreciation of the promise of scientific methods in human progress.

The National Park Service's mission statement is to preserve roughly 83 million acres in 388 national parks for the enjoyment of future generations. Their duty is honorable, extraordinary, complex and technical. The variety, scope, and size of the parks managed by the NPS require scientific knowledge and expertise in biodiversity and natural resource management.

For more information about the program contact Dr. Gary Machlis, Program Coordinator, Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW, MIB-3127, Washington, D.C. 20240. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. During the Vth World Parks Congress (September 8-17), Mr. Machlis can be reached at 425-239-6831.

Profiles of the 2003 recipients of the Canon National Parks

Science Scholars Program for the Americas

Gillian Daly is a student at the University of Toronto in Toronto (Canada). Gillian is studying persistent organic pollutants in Banff and Revelstoke National Parks in Western Canada. Her objective is to gain an understanding of the movement and distribution patterns of these pollutants, and their potential impact on humans and alpine ecosystems. Her work will help improve scientific understanding of how contaminants operate in national parks and other environments.

Claudia Figueiredo is a student at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (U.S.). Claudia is studying how basic resource levels (staff, infrastructure and funds) influence the effectiveness of management strategies and park conditions. She will be conducting her research in several national parks in Brazil. Her objective is to identify policies that facilitate the development of effective conservation strategies.

Gabriela Nunez-Iturri is a student at the University of Illinois in Chicago, Illinois (U.S.). Gabriela is studying the effects of hunting on tree regeneration in Manu National Park, Peru. Her objective is to identify the co-dependence of tree species in national parks and how they impact poaching.

Renata Santoro de Sousa Lima Mobley is a student at Cornell University, New York City, New York (U.S.). Renata is studying the vocal behavior and reproductive strategies of humpback whales in the Abrolhos National Marine Park, Brazil. Her work will help improve scientific understanding of the acoustic parameters of marine mammals and size. Her experiments will also provide a scientific foundation in evaluating the impact of whale-watching activities on breeding populations of humpback whales.

Sarah Nelson is a student at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine (U.S.). Sarah is studying watersheds in Acadia National Park in Maine. Her objective is to identify hydrologic and mercury mass balances in national parks. Her work will improve our understanding of the hydrology and chemistry of park ecosystems.

Valeria Susana Ojeda is a student in the Zoology Department at Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche (Argentina). Valeria is studying the nest site selection and impact of the magellanic woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicu) in national parks in northwestern Argentine Patagonia. Her objectives include the establishment of criteria for nesting habitat use and selection of the magellanic woodpecker.

Saudiel Ramirez-Sanchez is a student at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby (Canada). Saudiel is using a social network approach to study fish resource access and use practices in the Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto in Mexico in order to address marine resource conservation issues. His work will provide information on social network properties as indicators of cooperative management of sustainable resources.

Daniel Jorge Somma is a student at the University of Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Daniel is studying the connectivity of sustainable ecological networks in the Baritu and Calilegua National Parks in Argentina. His objective is to develop planning methods and spatial concepts for the design of sustainable park networks.

   Honorable mention awards for 2003
   Helen Rowe, Colorado State University, U.S.
   Suzanne Cox Griffin, University of Montana, U.S.
   Bob Powell, Yale University, U.S.
   Kaela Beauclerc, Trent University, Canada