NWRC Weekly Highlights 02/25/2008

Weekly Highlights

From: Susan Horton
Subject: Weekly Highlights, USGS National Wetlands Research Center, February 25, 2008

USGS Science Center Hosts Speaker for Black History Month: On February 21, the USGS National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) in Lafayette, LA, hosted a seminar by Jerome Ringo in honor of Black History Month. Mr. Ringo, a nationally recognized conservationist, spoke on environmental issues including global warming to NWRC staff, Federal, state and local employees as well as local university and high school students. In 2005 Mr. Ringo was elected chairman of the Board for the National Wildlife Federation, making him the first-ever African-American to head a major national conservation organization. In 1998 he was the sole African-American delegate at the Global Warming Treaty negotiations in Kyoto, Japan. He was named by Ebony Magazine as one of the most influential African-Americans in 2006. (Gaye Farris, 337-266-8550, Lafayette, LA)

USGS Provides Information for Congressman Boustany’s Town Meeting: USGS provided maps and other information products for a February 18 meeting called by Congressman Charles Boustany (Louisiana) to discuss hurricane protection and coastal restoration in Southwest Louisiana. Greg Smith, director of the USGS National Wetlands Research Center (Lafayette, LA), and Scott Wilson, spatial analysis branch chief, participated in the meeting and answered questions from the Congressman and state and local elected officials.
Congressman Boustany’s Staff Member Visits Science Center: On February 19, USGS National Wetlands Research Center scientists briefed a member of Congressman Boustany’s staff at the center on USGS coastal research and capabilities.

USGS scientist Jacoby Carter was interviewed for a February 24 article in the Times Picayune (New Orleans, LA) about the impact of nutria on Louisiana marshlands.