USGS National Wetlands Research Center: NWRC Weekly Highlights 5/07/2004

Weekly Highlights

MEMORANDUM

From: Susan Horton
Subject: Biology Highlights for National Wetlands Research Center, May 7, 2004

I. Department/Bureau News
B. Current

USGS Scientist Speaks at Harvard University: USGS scientist Virginia Burkett recently gave an invited lecture at the Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment. Her talk described wetlands, their ecological functions and the status and trends of wetlands in the United States. The presentation concluded with an overview of regulatory and voluntary conservation programs that have been implemented to curb the loss of the Nation's wetlands. More information can be viewed at http://www.med.harvard.edu/chge/course/index.htm
(Virginia Burkett, Lafayette, LA, (337) 256-5628)

USGS Scientist Speaks at Carbon Sequestration Conference: USGS scientist Stephen Faulkner presented a paper on Carbon Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Forested Wetlands of the Lower Mississippi River Valley (LMV) at the Third Annual Carbon Sequestration Conference, May 3 – 6 in Alexandria, VA. Terrestrial carbon sequestration is one strategy to help mitigate increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Reforestation of marginally productive agricultural lands in the LMV is a promising carbon sequestration technology; however, there are significant scientific questions concerning carbon cycling and associated ecosystem services. These questions are critical to the Department of the Interior (DOI) as over 50,000 acres have been replanted on DOI lands in the LMV in cooperation with other agencies and private enterprise. The conference brings together experts involved in developing, demonstrating and deploying carbon capture, separation, and sequestration technologies as part of the Administration's Climate Change Technology Program. (Stephen Faulkner, Lafayette, LA, (337) 266-8648)

Lights, Camera, Action: On May 5, at the invitation of the USGS National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC), local ABC affiliate KATC-TV3 brought cameras, crews, show hosts, and even the weatherman to the science center for a live, remote broadcast of their 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. show, "Good Morning, Acadiana (GMA)." The purpose was two-fold: to highlight the 125th anniversary of USGS and to showcase the important wetlands research and mapping done by USGS scientists and geographers. GMA hosts spoke to researchers about the functions and values of wetlands, Louisiana's coastal wetland loss, mapping and remote sensing technology tools, the importance of amphibians in Louisiana's forested wetlands, and education/outreach opportunities available to Acadiana citizens. The show concluded with everyone enjoying a decorated 125th anniversary cake created by USGS geographer Helena Schaefer. (Susan Horton, Lafayette, LA, (337) 266-8655)

Prepared by Susan Horton, 5/7/04

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