Ecologist Goes to Washington

Pickett touts importance of stewardship and a diverse, collaborative ecological community

ESA — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:43:27 +0000

Steward Pickett works as a plant ecologist with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. His expertise includes urban ecology, landscape design and succession. Pickett recently completed his service as President of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) (2011-2012). Here, he reflects on his tenure as ESA President and on nurturing a diverse ecological community.

For more on Pickett’s perspective on diversity and Earth stewardship, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

Photo: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Wolf conservation efforts furthered by emphasizing shared goals

ESA — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:29:10 +0000

Matthew Schuler is one of three ESA 2012 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. His Ph.D. research at Washington University focuses on how land-use practices can enhance species diversity in heavily managed ecosystems. Here, he discusses his experiences meeting with policymakers on Capitol Hill, his past work with the Timber Wolf Information Network and the need for scientists to get involved with their local communities.

For more on wolf management efforts, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the final in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2012 for their work at the interface of science and policy. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

The American alligator and its importance to the Florida Everglades

ESA — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:30:05 +0000

Adam Rosenblatt is one of three ESA 2012 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. His Ph.D. research at Florida International University focuses on American alligators and their role in the Florida Everglades ecosystem. Here, he discusses his research, its relevance to human society as well as his interactions with policymakers at various levels of government.

For more on American alligators, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the second in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2012 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

The importance of managing exotic invasive plants

ESA — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:39:10 +0000

Sara Kuebbing is one of three ESA 2012 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. Her Ph.D. research at the University of Tennessee focuses on invasive plant species and their impacts on ecosystems. Sara discusses her research and its relevance to the state of Tennessee as well as her insights on the importance of science policy engagement.

For more on invasive plants, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the first in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2012 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

Learning the lingo of science communication that resonates

ESA — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:34:16 +0000

Elena Bennett is Assistant Professor with the Department of Natural Resource Sciences and McGill School of Environment at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Here, she discusses her participation in the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program and how the experience informed her perception on how to effectively share scientific information with policymakers. Bennett relays how her experience changed how she thinks about what it means to make science “accessible” to lawmakers.

For more on the importance of science communication, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

Habitat Corridors Help Preserve Wildlife in the Midst of Human Society

ESA — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:04:44 +0000

Daniel Evans is one of three ESA 2011 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. His Ph.D. research at the University of Washington focuses on habitat corridors and the impacts of habitat fragmentation on ecosystems. Daniel discusses his research as well as his insights on the importance of science policy engagement.

For more on habitat corridors, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the final in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2011 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

Weighing the Long-term Implications of Mountaintop Removal Mining

ESA — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:45:27 +0000

Michael Levy is one of three ESA 2011 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. His Master’s research at West Virginia University focuses on the ecological implications of surface mining and the impacts of existing mining regulations on ecosystems. Michael discusses his research findings on the practice of mountain top removal mining well as his insights on the importance of science policy engagement.

For more discussion on the practice of mountaintop removal mining, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, Ecotone.

This is the second in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2011 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

Environmental Justice: Merging Earth Stewardship with Social Justice

ESA — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:09:18 +0000

Kellen Marshall-Gillespie is one of three ESA 2011 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. Her Ph.D. research at the University of Illinois-Chicago focuses on applying ecological theories to social justice and environmental sustainability. Kellen talks about her experiences in public policy at various levels of government and how her work has connected issues in environmental justice with overarching conservation interests.

For more discussion on environmental justice, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, Ecotone.

This is the first in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2011 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

Capitol Hill testimony: Addressing climate change may foster economic recovery

ESA — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:32:03 +0000

Dr. Knute Nadelhoffer

Dr. Knute Nadelhoffer, an ecological researcher with 30 years of experience, currently serves as the Director of the University of Michigian Biological Station in Pellston, Michigan in the center of the Great Lakes Basin. He is also a professor in the Department of Ecology and Environment at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he has worked for the past eight years.

Dr. Nadelhoffer recently testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power on climate science and the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas regulations. For more discussion of Dr. Nadelhoffer’s testimony, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, Ecotone.

Investing for the Future: Federal Science Funding and its Benefits for Communities

ESA — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:00:46 +0000

Alexis Erwin, ESA Graduate Student Policy Award winner

Alexis Erwin is one of this year’s three ESA Graduate Student Policy Award winners. Her Ph.D. research at Cornell University focuses on plant reproductive strategy and is supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. Alexis talks about the value of federal research to society and her own experiences engaging with others in her community.

For more discussion on the impact of federal investment in science and technological research, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, Ecotone.

This is the final in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2010 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.