Patuxent's Sparling goes to France and Florida to Participate in Panel and Present Paper on Amphibians in Biological Assessments

Don Sparling was in Paris, France on 25-28 April at the invitation of the US EPA and the Office of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to participate on a panel to develop an international protocol that uses amphibians in screening chemicals for endocrine disrupting properties. Don also participated in a conference on Biological Assessment of Wetlands sponsored by the EPA in Orlando Florida from 14-16 May and presented a paper on the use of amphibians in biological assessments.

Contact: Don_Sparling@usgs.gov  

Bird Banding Lab (BBL) at Patuxent Hosts Open House April 20th; BBL Staff Attend Annual Meeting

The Bird Banding Laboratory hosted an Open House on Friday April 20 for persons attending the EBBA (Eastern Bird Banding Association) annual meeting. Thirteen persons attended and were pleased with their visit and the BBL hospitality. Mary Gustafson, Kathy Klimkiewicz, and John Tautin attended the annual meeting at Harford Glen, Abingdon, MD on Saturday April 21. Mary gave a workshop on the Band Manager software used by banders to submit electronic banding data. John presented the report from BBL and he and Kathy attended the evening banquet. There were excellent papers and programs offered at this meeting and the 96 persons attending were very pleased with the agenda.

Eisler Appointed Manager of Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Dr. Ronald Eisler--currently on a mobility assignment from BRD/PWRC to the American Fisheries Society (AFS) at AFS Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland--was appointed by Executive Director Dr. Gus Rassam to lead the AFS-sponsored Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program (named for Robert F. Hutton, the first Executive Director of AFS). Eisler has been associated with the Hutton since its inception in 2000. The Hutton is a nation-wide educational program aimed mainly at minority high school students. The goal of the program is to develop an appreciation of science disciplines associated with natural resources and environmental management. The program, open to students who have completed grade 10, matches a professional mentor to each student. Students work during the summer with their mentors, in laboratories and in the field, by collecting samples and assisting in analyzing data. Assignments are made with participating laboratories in university, state, and federal facilities located within reasonable commuting distance for the student. A scholarship of $2,500 is awarded to students demonstrating appropriate work habits. A pilot study with 22 students is underway for summer 2001. Each of the student application packages was rigorously evaluated by a National Panel consisting of AFS officials and cosponsors. The U.S Forest Service provided funds and mentors for 20 students at National Forests located in Alaska, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, and Washington state. Another student in Mississippi is funded by the Mississippi Sea Grant Program of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and another in New Jersey by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service. For more information contact Ronald Eisler reisler@fisheries.org 01.897.8616 extension 213

Meyers Appointed to 7 Year term as Full Graduate Faculty at Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia

Joe Meyers, adjunct assistant professor with the Warnell School of Forest Resources of The University of Georgia, has been recommended by Dean Arnett Mace, approved by the Graduate Faculty, and appointed by President Michael Adams to a seven year term as full Graduate Faculty. Full privileges involves to status to serve as a major professor for PhD students and serve/vote on Graduate Faculty committees at the University.

Contact: J. Michael Meyers, Ph.D. joe_meyers@usgs.gov  706-542-1882

See Previous HiLites:

August 31, 2000
September 21, 2000
September 28, 2000
October 5, 2000
October 16, 2000
October 30, 2000
November 8, 2000
November 16, 2000

November 22, 2000
November 30, 2000
January 4, 2001
March 15, 2001
March 22, 2001
March 29, 2001
April 5, 2001
April 12, 2001
May 17, 2001