American Society for Acoustic Ecology

The American Society for Acoustic Ecology (ASAE) is a membership organization dedicated to exploring the role of sound in natural habitats and human societies, and promoting public dialogue concerning the identification, preservation, and restoration of natural and cultural sound environments.

The ASAE will:

• Disseminate research results and curriculum materials, sponsor lectures, conferences and other events, and support creative exploration of the soundscape through sound art and installations.
• Foster cross-disciplinary research and discussion about the impacts of natural and human-made sound on the biosphere, including Earth's oceans, land, and air, and contribute to the development of guidelines to identify and modify human-generated acoustic environments that pose a significant ecological or health risk.
• Provide advice to public and private land managers about how best to study, manage, and interpret natural sound environments for the benefit of both visitors and wildlife, with sensitivity to the desire for both quiet and motorized recreation.
• Synthesize approaches to understanding and experiencing soundscapes as they exist in the United States, and actively collaborate with other like-minded organizations to contribute to the global awareness of sound's fundamental impact on all living organisms.

Joining the ASAE - Membership in the ASAE is open to individuals living in the US. The ASAE is an affiliate of the WFAE (World Forum for Acoustic Ecology); this means that your membership in the ASAE will provide you with benefits of being a WFAE member as well. You will receive the WFAE's semi-annual publication, The Soundscape Journal, the Quarterly ASAE Online Newsletter, and be eligible for participation and discounts in ASAE and WFAE conferences and events and soundscape recordings from EarthEar. Membership form can be downloaded here: [DOWNLOAD FORM(pdf)]

List of people participating in ASAE listserv discussions, Winter 03/04, with introductory comments from those who've sent them [GO THERE]

Regional groups are starting to coalesce in several areas: New York, the SF Bay Area, Southern California, the Northwest, the Southwest/Southern Rockies, and Chicago. For more info on these groups: [GO THERE]
New York City Group Launches way better web site than this ASAE section! [GO THERE]

Initial responses from people participating in the discussion about directions for the ASAE (Summer 03). [GO THERE]