We all have a stake in sustaining functional ecosystems … When ecologists and economists began talking about ecosystem services in the 1990s it was to make a stronger argument for restoring and preserving natural systems. The idea that nature provides the life-support system of the planet, cleaning and recycling the air and water and providing us with food and raw materials, motivated the environmental activists of the 1960s and 70s.

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The Society for Conservation Biology sponsors a biennial conference and their 26th International Congress for Conservation Biology 2013 was held at the Baltimore Convention Center. I attended the session "Advancing Science-informed Ocean Management Decisions Through Ecosystem Health Report Cards". The session was organized by Melanie McField, Smithsonian Institution, Jason Vasques, Coral Reef Alliance and Liz Whiteman, California Ocean Science Trust.

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Several hundred people gathered at the Maritime Institute conference facility in Baltimore for the Maryland Climate Change Summit on July 25. The Summit was kicked off with a talk by Governor Martin O'Malley to a standing room only audience. Governor O'Malley likened climate change to gravity--physics, pure and simple but also acknowledged that the response was complex. He spoke of the 'fierce urgency of now' and moral obligation of addressing climate change issues.

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The first five sentences of Maryland’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan summarize what we need to know and do. 1) Climate change is real. 2) Scientists agree. 3) It’s happening now. 4) It’s harmful and human caused. 5) We can make a difference through our actions. These simple statements are backed up with a wealth of scientific information, but one just needs to look around at the record-breaking weather events in Maryland and beyond to validate these statements.

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'Having fun' refers to enjoying the journey of an environmental campaign. Environmental issues are typically serious business and people burn out by being serious all the time. Having fun conjures up images of smiles and chuckles. Having fun warms the heart, and makes the experience more memorable. Having fun can inspire people and make them want to do more. We need to employ an 'eco-psychology' to be more effective, with a self evaluation: Did I enjoy myself? Would I want to do more?

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This blog is the second part to a two-part series of ten recommendations for effectively communicating science. Listed are five recommendations on ways to effectively communicate science. Recommendation 6. Build relationships that will make science communication more effective … We have found that building key relationships with decision makers and their staff is important in delivering meaningful scientific advice at the time of decision making.

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This blog is the first part to a two-part series of ten recommendations for effectively communicating science. Listed are five recommendations to effectively communicate science to your audience. Recommendation 1. Communicate science unto others as you would have them communicate unto you … Probably everyone who has attended school has been subjected to some really BAD science teaching.

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'Awakening Environmental Passion' refers to tapping the environmental passion created when people publicly say "I care about this place". This caring about a place comes from the heart, and environmental passion can create the motivation to accomplish change (hands) and persist to face of adversity (head). These heart, hands and head aspects of awakening environmental passion are key to an environmental campaign. Walking through the beach during low tide on the Chesapeake Bay. Credit:

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At the June Science and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting and at the Science and Technical Analysis and Reporting (STAR) meeting, we were presented with the scenarios of a $1.1-1.2 million dollar cut to the Chesapeake Bay monitoring program. This would be a nearly 25% reduction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding for the tidal and non-tidal monitoring. This monitoring program, which has been occurring continuously since ca.

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On 27 June 2013, Caroline Wicks presented the STAR seminar in anticipation of the 2012 Chesapeake Bay report card release. The seminar was entitled 'Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay report card with new indicators and new methods'. In capturing the discussion following the seminar, I have converted the discussion into a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Caroline Wicks presenting at the STAR seminar on June 27, 2013. Credit:

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