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Member News

Anne Sundermann
annes@chesapeake.net

Gene Likens Awarded National Medal of Science
On June 13, 2002, President George W. Bush presented Dr. Gene E. Likens of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies, (Millbrook, NY) with the National Medal of Science, the nation's highest science honor. Dr. Likens was one of 15 laureates be to receive the Medal in 2001. The National Medal of Science honors individuals in a variety of fields for pioneering scientific research that has enhanced our basic understanding of life and the world around us. (More information about the National Medal of Science is available at http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/nms/.)

Dr. Likens and colleagues first documented the link between the increasing acidity of precipitation and fossil fuel combustion in North America, and the long-term consequences of this phenomenon -- acid rain. His findings catalyzed a vigorous public policy dialogue, stimulated new scientific studies, and raised awareness of the connections between human activities and the ecosystems upon which humans are dependent. His work and the attention it commanded led to national legislation addressing the effects of acid rain.

Dr. Likens' classic long-term ecological studies led to important insights regarding the concept of the critical linkages among an ecosystem, an airshed, a watershed, nutrient cycling, effects of land-use practices, biogeochemical cycles, and the role of riparian zones. His approach is now a guiding paradigm in the science of ecology and in the application of this science to finding solutions for global environmental problems, including deforestation, the greenhouse effect, acid rain, and eutrophication..

Boesch Named Interim Vice Chancellor for the University System of Maryland

Donald F. Boesch, president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), has been named interim vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University System of Maryland (USM). Boesch succeeds Charles R. Middleton, who has been named president of Roosevelt University. He will serve until a new vice chancellor is appointed. A national search to fill the position will begin soon. Boesch will continue as president of UMCES, a position he has held since 1990.

Boesch was president of the Federation from 1987-1989 and continues to be an active leader. His most recent contribution has been as co-principal investigator, with past president Anne E. Giblin, on the Initiative in Biocomplexity: Estuarine Responses to Climate Change and Variability. For more information on that initiative, please visit the ERF web site at http://erf.org.

More information on the appointment can be found at http://www.usmd.edu/Overview/News/USMNewsReleases/interimvc.html.

Hastings Wins National Wetlands Award
ERF member Robert Hastings, Ph.D., was one of seven wetland educators, activists, scientists, and conservationists who received the of the 2002 National Wetlands Award. The awards, sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute, are designed to honor individuals from across the country who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and dedication to wetland education, research, volunteerism, land stewardship, and program management.

Dr. Hastings used his role as professor of biological sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University and director of the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station in Hammond, Louisiana, to develop environmentally literate citizens able to make informed personal, professional, and political decisions. He supervised the development of Turtle Cove as a quality education center for teachers. He developed the "Lessons on the Lake" weekend workshops for teachers, and served as primary instructor. He encouraged the use of Turtle Cove as a site for school field trips and scientific research.

Since 1989, the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have co-sponsored the National Wetlands Awards Program. Co-sponsorship has expanded after the 1998 Awards program to include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the USDA Forest Service. This event was held in conjunction with American Wetlands Month, organized by the Izaak Walton League of America.

San Francisco Estuary Institute Names New Executive Director
The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) recently appointed Dr. Michael Connor as its new Executive Director. He will head a staff of 27 that conduct monitoring and research on Bay contamination, wetlands, watersheds, and biological invasions.

SFEI, located in Oakland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster the scientific understanding needed to protect and enhance the San Francisco Estuary through research, monitoring, and communication. Steve Ritchie, Chairman of SFEI's Board of Directors, said, "Mike has the science leadership and management skills to bring SFEI to a new level of service for San Francisco Bay."

Dr. Connor received his undergraduate degree in biology from Stanford in 1974, and his Ph.D. in biological oceanography from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in 1980. He served as Director for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority between 1988 and 1998. Dr. Connor has authored numerous publications on environmental monitoring, policy, and engineering,
watershed management, ecology, and risk assessment. At the time of the appointment, Dr. Connor was Vice President of the New England Aquarium in Boston.

"SFEI is known throughout the country for its programs, and I look forward to working with its excellent staff to improve the science behind managing the San
Francisco Bay and its watersheds." said Dr. Connor.

Dr. Bruce Thompson has been serving as Interim Executive Director since October 2000.
More information can be found at the SFEI web site, www.sfei.org.

ECSA Treasurer Retires

Estuarine and Coastal Science Association (ECSA) Membership Treasurer Dr. Peter Head is stepping down after more than twenty years in that position. Dr. Head is retiring from his post with North West Water plc. Peter has been a long and valuable member and officer of ECSA. His encyclopedic knowledge of the association, its constitution, and its activities will be sorely missed. The ECSA Council wish him well in his retirement and, on behalf of the membership, thank Peter for his outstanding efforts.