This opportunity was a fantastic introduction to the to the workings of science, policy and government. I had minimal background in policy and this event was perfect for someone who is beginning to consider science/policy interactions as a career interest.
Last week, I had the privilege to spend several days in Washington DC as a graduate student representative of ESA. Along with biologists from several other organizations, we met with congressional staffers to advocate for the expansion of several federal programs that fund non-medical life science research in the 2008 budget. It was my first experience navigating the marbled halls of Capitol Hill, and although I didn’t come away with pockets full of research money (which was my secret motive for going), the trip was eye-opening on several levels.
Read the latest biweekly Policy News from ESA’s Public Affairs Office.
Contributed by Edward B. Barbier, Department of Economics & Finance, University of Wyoming
In a recent editorial in the New York Times (“False Hopes and Natural Disastersâ€, December 26, 2006), Andrew Baird has criticized Bill Clinton in his role as special envoy for UN tsunami recovery for endorsing publicly a $62 million program for preserving mangroves and coastal reefs as “natural barriers†to future tsunamis in 12 Indian Ocean countries.
I sit here in the Wild Palms Hotel sipping coffee and thinking about the great information we gathered this weekend, the ideas that were generated and the amazing insight that the invited speakers gave all of us. I think of whats ahead in my life and in the life of each of the fellows and I know that we will all become great scientists. We have also realized to a greater extent that with becoming a great scientist comes great responsibility to all life.
The ESA Strategies for Ecology Education, Developing Sustainability (SEEDS) Program offers professional mentorship, funding and the opportunity for students to develop ecological research through the Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
Welcome to ESA News and Views, the ESA blog. We welcome your contributions and comments about ecological research, education, and management. Please read the submmission guidelines and disclaimer on this page for information about how to submit posts or add your comments to others’ posts. We look forward to hearing from you. Contributed by Clifford Duke, Coordinator, ESA News and…