Weekly Highlights
MEMORANDUM
From: Gabrielle Boudreaux Bodin
Subject: Weekly Highlights, USGS National Wetlands Research
Center, September 16, 2010
Departmental/Bureau News - Upcoming
- NWRC Staff Participate in Deltas Conference in the Netherlands: Former USGS National Wetlands Research Center Director Janine Powell and Geographer Cindy Thatcher organized a special session called “Mekong at the Crossroads” for the Deltas in Times of Climate Change conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on September 29 – October 1, 2010. South Central Area Deputy Regional Executive Jim Stefanov will chair the session and lead a discussion. Cindy Thatcher will give a presentation titled “Mekong and Mississippi Deltas: lessons learned and implications for climate change adaptation.” NWRC Spatial Analysis Branch Chief Scott Wilson will give a presentation during a separate session titled “The Delta Research and Global Observation Network.” (Cindy Thatcher; Reston, Va.; 703-648-6065)
Departmental/Bureau News - Current
- NWRC Response to the BP Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: The staff of the USGS National Wetlands Research Center is assisting with response to the oil spill from the BP Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. (Scott Wilson; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8644)
Oil spill-related activity:
- Coastal marsh surveys continue this week in Louisiana. Wetland biologists are working with the NRDA Shoreline Team to implement the shoreline (coastal marsh) assessment plan for Louisiana. Field sampling is expecting to take four weeks. (Thomas Doyle)
- Marsh bird surveys are being conducted using a helicopter flying at low altitude. Surveys will continue through mid-September. Clint Jeske is a co-investigator with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers investigators. (Clint Jeske)
- NWRC is awaiting the final paperwork to begin low-altitude surveys of seagrass in Louisiana and Mississippi using the NWRC plane. This effort is coordinated with the Aerial Imagery Technical Working Group. (Chris Wells).
- NWRC is working closely with the Aerial Imagery Technical Working Group Chairman on development of an overarching aerial collection mission.
- Jim Grace will participate in the DOI Strategic Sciences Working Group which is led by Gary Machlis of the National Park Service. This group provides guidance to the DOI agency leads. The meeting will be the week of September 20. (Jim Grace)
- NWRC Scientist Works with Local School on Project to Document Spread of Invasive Species: USGS National Wetlands Research Center scientist Jacoby Carter is working with staff and juniors and seniors of the Episcopal School of Acadiana’s Environmental Science class to document the spread of invasive Island Apple Snails. One of the major objectives of the class is to involve students in a meaningful scientific research project in which they will learn correct methods of recording and analyzing data taken in field conditions. In addition, they want to record the geographical distribution of nonnative invasive species in the marsh and estuaries in the area. They plan to continue to monitor population movements of the snails over the next three to five years through biannual surveys northwest of the Houma, La., area. Students benefit by learning through experience and from trained scientists how science can provide answers to real environmental questions. (Jacoby Carter; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8620)
- NWRC Participates in Good Green – Bad Green Invasive Plant Control and Restoration Conference: USGS National Wetlands Research Center scientist Randy Westbrooks participated in a Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Conference, “Good Green, Bad Green – Invasive Plant Control for Habitat Restoration,” Front Royal, Va., on September 16-17, 2010. The conference, which was hosted and sponsored by numerous federal and state agencies and other organizations, was attended by a large number of land managers, natural resource professionals, and volunteers from across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Westbrooks provided the keynote address for the conference, and gave a seminar on the second day that outlined strategies for development of a State Early Detection and Rapid Response System in Virginia. The near term goal is to develop a State Early Detection and Reporting Network to ensure that new invasive plants are reported to state and federal officials so that appropriate actions can be taken to prevent their establishment and spread. More details about the workshop can be found at the Good Green – Bad Green Conference Website. (Randy Westbrooks; Whiteville, N.C.; 910-648-6762)
- NWRC Scientist Presents Paper on Global Change Impacts at International Symposium: USGS National Wetlands Research Center scientist Karen McKee will present a paper entitled “Global change impacts on biophysical processes controlling elevation dynamics in wetlands of the Mississippi River Delta” in a plenary session at the International Symposium on Ecological Biodiversity in Large Rivers of Northeast Asia and North America being held September 20-24, 2010, in Memphis, Tenn. (Karen L. McKee; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8662)
Press Inquiries/Media - Newspapers/magazines/wires, etc.
- USGS National Wetlands Research Center scientist Karen McKee was interviewed on September 15, 2010, by Emily Hinnigan of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette about the oil spill and potential impacts on Louisiana’s wetlands and associated organisms. Hinnigan is writing an article for her journalism class which may be selected to run in the university's weekly newspaper. (Karen L. McKee; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8662)
Press Inquiries/Media - Broadcast and Film
- USGS National Wetlands Research Center scientist Karen McKee was contacted by Lauren Jackman from the U.S. Department of State about a possible interview with a Namibian news crew. The crew is producing a news series about climate change and other coastal issues. Jackman asked McKee a few general questions about wetlands, climate change, and possible effects of oil on Gulf wetlands. If the logistics can be worked out, the on-camera interview will take place September 25 or 26, 2010. (Karen L. McKee; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8662)
Press Inquiries/Media - Online
- USGS National Wetlands Research Center geographer Chris Wells provided assistance to Senior Editorial Researcher Nancie Majkowski of National Geographic Magazine on September 9, 2010. Majkowski asked Wells to identify “new land” in an Atchafalaya River Delta photograph. The story is an exclusive to National Geographic electronic edition subscribers, available on the Ipad via Zinio. (Chris Wells; Lafayette, La.; 337-266-8651)
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