FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2012
Glen Salmon, 812-334-4261 ext. 1211
Ashley Spratt, 573-234-2132 ext. 104
Dr. Gwen White selected as Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers LCC Science Coordinator
White to guide science activities and promote strategic habitat conservation across predominantly agricultural landscape
Dr. Gwen White
The Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) announced today Dr. Gwen White will serve as the partnership’s science coordinator. White will play a key role in collaboratively developing, maintaining, and advancing a strategic, landscape oriented approach to fish and wildlife conservation.
“Dr. White has been an active contributor to the growth and evolution of the entire LCC network in her work as lead facilitator for numerous steering committee and science workshops over the last several years. She's been there from the start and really understands the LCC concept," said Glen Salmon, LCC coordinator.
White will assume responsibilities for initiating, coordinating, and communicating LCC activities through the cooperative conservation community in a predominantly agricultural landscape across the nation’s heartland. She will further the promotion of strategic habitat conservation across agencies and organizations vested in natural resources issues. Strategic habitat conservation relies on an adaptive management framework to inform decisions about where and how to deliver conservation efficiently through partnerships to sustain fish and wildlife populations.
White brings 23 years of governmental, academic and corporate experience to the position. Most recently, White worked as a communications specialist for DJ Case and Associates supporting strategic partnerships with natural resources agencies and organizations. Prior to her communications position, she held multiple biological and administrative positions with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources focusing on fisheries, invasive species, watershed management, and resource regulations.
White has instructed courses in conservation biology, environmental science, zoology, ichthyology and limnology as a visiting professor at six universities in three states. A certified fisheries scientist, White has earned numerous awards and accolades for her regional and national activities with the American Fisheries Society, including the AFS prestigious Distinguished Service Award.
White earned her PhD in conservation biology with an emphasis in land use planning from the University of Minnesota and a master’s of science in zoology with an emphasis on marine ecology from the University of Maryland. White also served with the U.S. Peace Corps aquaculture program in Honduras. White will assume duties as science coordinator on October 9, 2012.
The Eastern Tallgrass Prairie and Big Rivers Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) is dedicated to addressing the conservation challenges of a heavily agricultural landscape that stretches across the nation’s heartland from southwest Ohio westward across to parts of eastern Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska and northward into segments of Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. For more information, visit http://www.tallgrassprairielcc.org.
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) address large scale natural resource challenges that transcend political and jurisdictional boundaries and require a networked approach to conservation— holistic, collaborative, and grounded in science – to ensure the sustainability of America’s land, water, wildlife and cultural resources. For more information about LCCs, visithttp://www.fws.gov/landscape-conservation/lcc.html
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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