By Jorge Andrade
This article was translated by Estefanía López, Oscar Colunga and Gaël Courtin
The National Congress of Mammalogy originates from an initiative of the nonprofit Mexican Organization of Mammalogy as a meeting opportunity between mammalogy’s professionals and enthusiasts in Mexico.
The first congress took place in Xalapa, Veracruz in 1991. In a time with technological limitations, easily exemplified by the elaboration process of the first poster for the Congress made by PhD. Oscar Sánchez Herrera, who describes using the “cut and paste” technique using real glue and scissors to create the poster. Moreover, he also took the risk of creating the first logotype of the congress (Sánchez-Herrera, 2014). It was a time where slides would take weeks to be revealed and where the researcher had to show them in his circular slide tray, with the latent risk of losing them on the way or in the moment of the presentation (Espinoza-Medinilla, 2014).
I can’t really tell you about how much the congress has changed since those early times, because I haven’t experienced them. Nevertheless, I dare to say at the same time that few things and a lot have changed since those ancient times: a lot of things have changed, because technology has become a facilitator for communication and logistic procedures; a few things have changed because, it continues to be the same space where the advancements of mammalogy; the professional, personal and institutional development; and the academic constructive criticism on the topic of mammals find echo.
In 2018, the XIV National Congress of Mammalogy took place in Merida. As in the previous congresses, this event brought together all mammalogists in one city to share, discuss and strengthen the path of Mexican mammalogy. The friendship and excitement from the first years of the Congress were still present from the inauguration of the event until the closing party with dinner and dance. Under the slogan “Global Problems, Punctual solutions” keynote lectures, conferences, talks, posters and photography exhibitions were presented. The works presented always showed a great quality.
This was an event which gave me the opportunity to represent Terra Peninsular, but above all, to represent the genuine interest existing in Baja California for the conservation of this taxonomic group.
An event where I had great experiences and above all, where I was able to learn important lessons, such as:
- As scientists it is essential for us to create mechanisms to influence the public policy and reaffirm other great deeds.
- There is a nationwide interest for mammals’ conservation.
- Many of us are doing efforts and will continue working with dedication and passion for this taxonomic group.
Apart from the lessons learned, I was left with an enormous enthusiasm to continue my work on the conservation of mammals and natural resources in Mexico. I am left with a great impetus for the production of basic scientific knowledge, and for the formulation of management and conservation schemes as well as public policy advocacy processes. I have added extremely important strategic alliances to the already existing alliances that we have as an organization, and above all I am left with a pleasant taste of the lived experience and with a vehement and impatient expectation of the next National Congress of Mammalogy.
Jorge Andrade presented the conference “San Quintin Kangaroo Kat (Dipodomys gravipes): Rediscovery, Current State, and Conservation”, with which he won the second place in presentations.