IAN hosting upcoming Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Science (MEES) Colloquium

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the Integration and Application Network (IAN) cordially invite all MEES students, faculty and alumni to the annual MEES Colloquium on Thursday and Friday, 12-13 November in Annapolis, MD. Our guest of honor will be MEES graduate and NASA astronaut, Richard 'Ricky' Arnold.

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms degrade ecosystem in coastal Florida

Cynobacteria newsletterHarmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased in abundance and severity around the world in recent decades. Among coastal HABs, benthic cyanobacteria blooms, particularly Lyngbya spp., are becoming more numerous and persistent in tropical and subtropical environments. These species have become increasingly problematic in the near-shore waters of Florida, and it has been suggested that this may be in part caused by nutrient enrichment resulting from highly developed coastal habitats. Both climate change and anthropogenically derived nutrients provide the potential for increases in these nuisance blooms. This newsletter summarizes the findings of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ecology of Harmful Algae Bloom Program (NOAA-ECOHAB) funded study.

Tim Carruthers new member of LOICZ SSC

LOICZ logoTim Carruthers from IAN has been confirmed as a new member of the Land Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ), Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), specifically to assist in facilitating effective scientific communication. LOICZ is one of the sub-committees of the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP). Tim takes over from Bill Dennison, who has sat on the SSC for the past six years, teaching courses, developing products and working with LOICZ staff to promote good science communication.

Science communication course for the Ohio Division of Wildlife

Course participantsBill Dennison and Emily Nauman taught a science communication course at Ohio State University (OSU) for a team from the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The group mentioned that one of their biggest challenges involves knowing how to talk to a diverse audience ranging from hunters and anglers to politicians. They came away from the two days with many new tools and approaches for communicating their message to different target audiences. Bill also gave a seminar to OSU students and faculty on ecosystem health report cards.

IAN welcomes back Kate Boicourt

Kate BoicourtKate Boicourt was a summer intern with IAN in 2006, after which she completed a Masters in Environmental Science (MESc.) at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. She is now working with UMCES President Don Boesch and Zoe Johnson of DNR on Phase II of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change Adaptation & Response and the Scientific & Technical Working Groups – gathering expertise around adaptation beyond the coastal vulnerability issue to identify and synthesize information into recommendations addressing agriculture, transportation & planning, water resources, human health, forestry, and aquatic/terrestrial ecosystems.