On behalf of the Steering Committee and the Program Advisory Council, we thank you for your attendance at the Estuarine Research Federation’s 19^th Biennial International Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. This conference carried on the best traditions of the Federation and fulfilled our goals of heightening professional and social interactions, student and international participation and scientific synthesis.

The central attractions of the conference were the variety and excellence of scientific presentations, and the interchanges among scientists, managers, and students. The conference featured nearly 1,300 oral and poster presentations in a comfortable and easy to navigate venue, with convenient areas for spontaneous conversations. We are particularly proud of our keynote and thematic plenaries, our valuable workshops, and our poster hall, with its array of posters, vendor booths, and interaction areas.

The theme of this conference, and its underlying zeitgeist, was “Science for Society.” During the conference, many aspects of the relationship between science and management were explored. The theme-related goal was to enhance connections between those who are engaged in research and those who are responsible for coastal and estuarine management.

Social activities, get-togethers, contests, receptions, and performances were planned for every conference evening to help you get acquainted or re-acquainted with friends and colleagues from far and wide. We hope you also enjoyed Providence, New England’s “Renaissance City,” with its wonderful restaurants and pubs in a setting rich in history and architecture. Beyond Providence, our field trips were tailored to help you better experience the joys of southern New England’s coastline. We offered tours of shorelines, coastal islands, laboratories, seaports, and other attractions – all situated in the nearby area.

To close, we acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the ERF 2007 Steering Committee, ERF Headquarters, the Schneider Group, and all of our excellent volunteers and workers. For over three years many dedicated people have given selflessly of their time and talent to ensure that you had the best Federation conference experience possible.

Thank you again, and we enjoyed seeing you in Providence!