NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
MAY 2018
Jeffrey Cornwell receives USM Regents' Faculty Award
Research Professor Jeffrey Cornwell received a 2018 USM Regents' Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service, the highest honor that the Board bestows to recognize exemplary faculty achievement. A geochemist and oceanographer, he was recognized for decades of dedication to community service and his balanced leadership on some of the most challenging scientific issues related to Chesapeake Bay, including the Poplar Island restoration, the impact of Conowingo Dam, and the role of oyster reefs in reducing pollutants in Chesapeake Bay.
This spring, the Horn Point Laboratory flipped the switch on a new solar field at its Cambridge campus. It is expected to generate the equivalent of approximately 50% of the campus' annual energy consumption.Standard Solar installed and will operate the solar panels in exchange for the use of land. UMCES also received a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration to install four vehicle-charging stations under a new solar canopy that will offset the cost of four level-II electrical vehicle charging stations on campus.
A signatory to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, UMCES has launched several programs aimed at reducing our environmental footprint and was recently awarded a Mark of Distinction for meeting our 25% carbon reduction goal.
UMCES President Peter Goodwin joined panel of experts discussing climate change and sea-level rise impacts on Chesapeake Bay during Maryland Public Television's annual Chesapeake Bay Summit. Panelists included Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles, writer Tom Horton, and climate scientist Astrid Caldas from Union of Concerned Scientists. WATCH
Liz McDowell receives Johnson Award for Environmental Education
The Appalachian Laboratory honors environmental education advocates in western Maryland annually. This year, Maryland DNR naturalist and resource biologist and science teacher Liz McDowell accepted the award at a special ceremony and reception in Frostburg.
Chesapeake Champion celebration honors Jerry Harris
The Horn Point Laboratory honored Jerry Harris with its 2018 Chesapeake Champion award for his vision and leadership in marshland restoration and conservation. Proceeds from this year's event will be used to launch a new Marsh Ecology and Restoration Laboratory at Horn Point.
Behind the Science: Helen Bailey talks DolphinWatch on Facebook Live
Dolphins are more frequently spending their summers in Chesapeake Bay, but
ecologist Helen Bailey wanted more than anecdotal evidence. Last summer, she launched the DolphinWatch project, which relies heavily on the public to report their own dolphin sightings. Watch our Q&A with Dr. Bailey to learn about the project, what she has learned so far, and what you can do to help this summer.
"My research is about understanding the ecological drivers of bioluminescent lagoons. These coastal lagoons are really important for the people of Puerto Rico because they represent a source of income and also it's part of their cultural identity. We need to develop better tools to manage these systems."
The Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge presents free talks for the public on the science behind the Chesapeake Bay. The 45-minute sessions highlight programs working to improve the health of the Bay and its aquatic life.
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