Weekly Highlights
MEMORANDUM
From: Susan Horton
Subject: Weekly Highlights, USGS National Wetlands Research
Center, March 17, 2008
Upcoming
- USGS Scientist Promotes Female Wetland Scientists: Despite the gains in representation of women in scientific fields, the number of females still lags behind that of male colleagues. The overwhelming evidence from recent reports indicates the need for more active encouragement and support of women in the biological and physical sciences. USGS scientist Karen McKee has spearheaded the development of a new Section for the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) called “Women in Wetlands (WiW)”. The goal of WiW is to promote the success of women in the field of wetland science and management through mentoring, networking, and education. The WiW Section will hold its first organizational meeting at the SWS annual conference in Washington, DC on May 27. (Karen McKee, Lafayette, LA, 337-266-8662)
Current
- USGS and DOT Release Report on Impacts of Climate Change on Transportation: An assessment of the impacts of climate change on Gulf Coast transportation was released by the US Department of Transportation and the US Geological Survey. This report is one of 21 Synthesis and Assessment Products of the US Climate Change Science Program. Science and editorial staff at the USGS National Wetlands Research Center have been collaborating with the Department of Transportation on this project for almost 4 years. A Federal Advisory Committee, consisting of transportation and climate experts, was appointed by the Secretary of Transportation in 2005 to provide guidance to the research team. Interviews about the report with co-author Virginia Burkett, USGS Chief Scientist for Climate Change Research, aired on National Public Radio on March 11 and March 13. The full report is available at: www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-7/final-report.
- USGS Science Center Hosts Canadian Visitors: On March 14, USGS scientist Jack Waide met with Bonnie Andrews and Bill Butler, members of the Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada)Environmental Industry Association (NEIA); Scott Flukinger, NEIA business development consultant from Washington, D.C.; and Delilah DeSouza with the US Department of Commerce, at the National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, LA. Waide gave an overview of the center’s wetlands research and mapping/remote sensing capabilities. The visit concluded with a short tour. (Susan Horton, Lafayette, LA, 337-266-8655)
Broadcast and Film
- USGS scientist Virginia Burkett was interviewed for a March 11 and 13 National Public Radio story on a recently released USGS and US Department of Transportation report on the impacts of climate change on Gulf Coast transportation.
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