LAKE SUCCESS, NY - Seeking answers to such scientific and conservation questions as the effects of fire suppression on a lizard and the population dynamics for a marmot, the doors of advanced study have opened for eight new Ph. D. students who are entering the scientific research field as 2004 Canon National Parks Science Scholars.

Each student is awarded a US$78,000 scholarship that will support research and education expenses during the next three years. The Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program helps develop the next generation of scientists working in the fields of conservation, environmental science and national park management. The scholarship program is a collaboration among Canon U.S.A., Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Park Service (NPS).

While welcoming the class of 2004 that includes students from throughout the Americas, the participating organizations also officially opened competition for the 2005 Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program. Details of the 2005 competition are available at www.nature.nps.gov/canonscholarships

"As a global leader in environmentally conscious management and technological innovation, we value the importance of scientific exploration and the protection of the global environment," said Kinya Uchida, president and CEO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "We are proud to be a founder of this unique scholar program. The work accomplished by all these brilliant students and their important findings will benefit our world and its citizens for generations."

Canon U.S.A., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), has committed more than eight million dollars since the inception of the program. From 1990, the company's environmental philanthropy has exceeded $30 million, establishing Canon as one of the largest corporate supporters of environmental education and conservation. Canon delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. Canon is a global leader in sustainable development and is committed to the protection of the global environment.

Established in 1997, the Canon National Parks Science Scholars 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. Scholars have conducted research in over 50 national parks, and published and presented over 75 scientific articles and presentations.

"We are enthused and energized to welcome this new group of outstanding young scientists to the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program," said Gary Machlis, Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program coordinator and visiting senior scientist, National Park Service. "Their selection by the AAAS recognizes the scientific merit of their projects, and national parks throughout the Americas will benefit from their research. Canon is to be congratulated for its vision and commitment to these extraordinary young people."

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 one of the most exciting programs our agency is privileged to be a part of," said Fran Mainella, director, National Park Service. "This valued partnership, consisting of students, universities, Canon U.S.A., the AAAS, and the NPS provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize these young scientists. I look forward every year to learning about the exciting research projects they are working on. The research they conduct is vital to the preservation and understanding of national park resources. It is my privilege to announce the 2004 Canon Scholars and the commencement of the 2005 scholarship competition."

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world's largest general scientific organization. It is committed to the Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program and to furthering the research efforts of these young scientists. The AAAS 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.

"Canon's loyal support of this program exemplifies its dedication to park preservation and the investment required to develop the qualified research scientists who are necessary to ensure that the national parks of all the Americas remain protected," said Dr. Alan I. Leshner, CEO of AAAS and executive publisher of the journal Science. "We are delighted to be a part of this effort as it enters its eighth year."

The National Park Service's mission is to preserve roughly 83 million acres in 388 national parks for the enjoyment of future generations. Its 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-3130, Washington, D.C. 20240; telephone: (202) 208-5391; or email: gmachlis@uidaho.edu.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #35 on the Business Week list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues of $24.5 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs more than 10,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world's largest general scientific society, and publisher of the journal Science (www.sciencemag.org). AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes some 262 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world, with an estimated total readership of one million. The non-profit AAAS (www.aaas.org) is open to all and fulfills its mission to advance science and serve society through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education and more. For the latest research news, log onto EurekAlert!, www.eurekalert.org, the premier science-news Web site, a service of AAAS.

Information about the incoming class and the research projects follows.

2004 Canon National Parks Science Scholars Program

Research Summaries

Douglas Clark from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is a student at the Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada). Douglas is studying societal dynamics in grizzly bear conservation. His study aims to better understand how social and cultural context influence the implementation of grizzly bear conservation policies. He will conduct this study in Jasper National Park (Alberta), Kluane National Park (Yukon), Ivvavik National Park (Yukon), and the community of Baker Lake, Nunavut.

Suzanne Cox Griffen from Missoula, Montana, is a student at the University of Montana (Missoula, Montana, U.S.A.). Suzanne is studying the genetics and population dynamics of the Olympic Marmot in Olympic National Park (Washington). Her research explores the influence of landscape composition and structure on movement of Olympic marmots. In collaboration with park personnel, she will develop a marmot monitoring and management program.

Carolyn Finney from Mamaroneck, New York, is a student at Clark University (Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.A.). Carolyn is studying how the attitudes and perceptions of African-Americans inform how African-Americans participate in the use and management of national parks. Her research will be conducted primarily in Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park and Big Cypress National Park and Preserve in South Florida.

Emily Gonzales from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is a student at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada). Emily is studying the relative influence of herbivory and exotic grass competition in Garry oak ecosystems. She will be developing baseline data for Canada's newest park, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (Strait of Georgia in British Columbia), which will help preserve and restore the Garry oak ecosystems in the park.

Jennifer Neuwald from Frederick, Maryland, is a student at Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.). Jennifer is studying the effects of fire suppression on the collared lizard in the Ozark National Scenic Riverway (Missouri). Her research will help contribute to the understanding of how prescribed forest fires can help maintain genetic and biological diversity.

Barbara Pickup from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a student at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.A.). Barbara is studying shoreline change at Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming). Her study will contribute to the understanding of the physical processes at work reshaping and changing the shoreline of the lake, which will help predict areas susceptible to erosion.

Daniel Sayers from Plymouth, Michigan, is a student at the College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A.). Daniel is conducting his research at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Virginia and North Carolina), which is a member of the National Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. His research will provide much needed insight into Underground Railroad site locations within the refuge, as well as historical information directly relevant to the conservation and interpretation of these unique sites associated with the Underground Railroad and African-American history."

Laura Triplett from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a student at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.). She is studying specific pollutant sources and regional trends impacting the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (Minnesota and Wisconsin). Her research will help riverway managers and supporters understand which pollutant sources are most damaging to the St. Croix's health, and will indicate how best to distribute limited resources in order to maximize the protection of this beautiful river system.

2004 Honorable Mention Awards

The following students received an Honorable Mention Award of US$1,000 each:

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

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