NWRC Weekly Highlights 10/15/2009

Weekly Highlights

MEMORANDUM

From: Gabrielle Boudreaux Bodin
Subject: Weekly Highlights, USGS National Wetlands Research Center, October 22, 2009

Departmental/Bureau News - Upcoming

NWRC To Hold Annual Health Fair: The USGS National Wetlands Research Center will hold its annual Health Fair on November 5, 2009, which will also include a blood drive. NWRC staff has already contributed more than 70 units of blood this year during other center-sponsored blood drives. The health fair will include cholesterol screening, blood pressure and heart rate checks, and height, weight and body fat analysis. The Our Lady of Lourdes Sleep Center will also provide information for attendees. (Debbie Norling, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8586)
USGS Scientist To Present at Oil and Gas Industry Workshop: November 13, 2009, USGS Chief Scientist for Global Change Research Virginia Burkett will give two presentations at an oil and gas industry workshop in Houston, Texas sponsored by Exxon-Mobil Corporation. The workshop is entitled "Small Sea Changes: Big Infrastructure Impacts" and is intended to "explore improved management of Gulf assets through better understanding of coastal hazards.” Burkett and Mike Savonis (U.S. Department of Transportation) will present key findings from the 2008 U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7 report entitled "Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study, Phase I." In a separate presentation, Burkett will present the key findings in the United States Global Change Research Program 2009 report "Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States" that are most relevant to the coastal and offshore oil and gas sector. (Virginia Burkett, Many, La., 318-256-5628)

Departmental/Bureau News - Current

Students from Parks Middle School Visit NWRC: Sixty eighth graders from Parks Middle School participating in the Louisiana Department of Education’s Journey to Careers Program visited the USGS National Wetlands Research Center on October 15, 2009. The students were given a presentation about Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and toured the center to learn about work being performed by geographers and scientists. (Gabrielle Bodin, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8655)
ULL Architecture Students Visit NWRC: First year students from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) School of Architecture and Design (SOAD) visited the USGS National Wetlands Research Center on Friday, October 16, 2009, to study the building’s architectural design. George Loli, Associate Professor, accompanied the group of 12 students on a tour of the facilities. Afterwards, the students took photographs and drew sketches of architectural and design elements used throughout the building. SOAD is actively involved in developing relationships with the community, and faculty and students are frequent visitors to the center. NWRC is located in ULL’s Research Park. (Linda Broussard, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8692)
Students from Lafayette and Acadiana High Schools Visit NWRC: Twelve students from Lafayette and Acadiana High Schools visited the USGS National Wetlands Research Center on October 21, 2009. The students were given a presentation about Louisiana’s coastal wetlands and toured the center to learn about work being performed by geographers and scientists. The Lafayette Parish School Board arranged the tour. (Gabrielle Bodin, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8655)
NWRC Branch Chief To Participate in Supervisory Challenge Class: USGS National Wetlands Research Center Branch Chief Thomas Doyle will participate in the USGS Supervisory Challenge Class being held in Denver, Colo., October 26 – 30, 2009, after being selected by the Supervisory Development Program for the USGS Central Region. (Thomas Doyle, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8647)

Notable Congressional Activity

NWRC Provides Maps for Senator Landrieu’s Office: USGS National Wetlands Research Center staff provided requested maps for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu’s office on October 21, 2009. The maps will be used for a meeting the senator is hosting concerning coastal wetland issues in Louisiana. (Gabrielle Bodin, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8655)
Staffer From Senator Landrieu’s Office To Visit NWRC: Tanner Johnson, Projects Director with Senator Mary Landrieu’s Washington, D.C., office, will visit the USGS National Wetlands Research Center on October 23, 2009, to tour the center and learn more about research being performed at the center. (Janine Powell, Lafayette, La., 337-266-8501)

Press Inquiries/Media - Newspapers/magazines/wires, etc.

USGS Employees Garner Awards (UL Today.com; October 15, 2009)
People in business (The Advertiser; Lafayette, La., October 15, 2009)
The Advertiser ran this article about awards presented to USGS staff based on a local press release distributed by the USGS National Wetlands Research Center.
Invasive vines assault East Coast beaches (USA Today; October 16, 2009)

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