NWRC Weekly Highlights 8/7/2008

Weekly Highlights

From: Gaye Farris
Subject: Weekly Highlights, USGS National Wetlands Research Center, August 7, 2008

National Wildlife Federation: Gregory J. Smith, director of the USGS National Wetlands Research Center, has recently been named to the board of directors of the National Wildlife Federation. He is attending its mid-year meeting Aug. 7-10 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The mission of the federation is to inspire “Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.” (Gregory J. Smith, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8501)

USGS ecologist Tommy Michot was interviewed over the telephone in French by Marjorie Pedneault, a journalist with Radio Canada. She asked questions about wetland loss in coastal Louisiana, its causes, and its similarity to other coastal wetland issues, especially those being experienced in the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Michot talked about the Mississippi River Delta and the leveeing of the river. He also talked about the difference between marshes and swamps and gave her statistics on Louisiana wetland loss. The taped interview may air Friday, August 8 and may be on Radio Canada’s Web site. (Tommy Michot, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8664)

Alex Perez, film coordinator for the Remedee Foundation, contacted USGS scientist Jacoby Carter for technical assistance regarding nutria, an invasive species in the wetlands. The Remedee Foundation is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization “helping under-served young people discover their voices through documentary filmmaking.” Its Reel Earth program seeks to engage young people in environmental issues and will sponsor a filmmaking-environmental education retreat for children from New Orleans. Dr. Carter’s involvement will depend on his schedule. (Jacoby Carter, Lafayette, La., 337-277-8620)