Conservation Science

Contract signed! I am now Director of Science and Solutions at the Waitt Foundation. I could not be more thrilled about the potential this position holds for contributing to meaningful progress in ocean conservation. Read Ayana's blog post

Nutrient pollution isn't only a Gulf problem, said Glynnis Collins, the executive director of the Illinois-based Prairie Rivers Network, another group involved in the suits. She said nutrient-rich waters have led to toxic algae blooms in many places. "They can sicken people, pets and livestock," Collins said. "It's a worldwide story. We have to get a handle on it. It's crazy not to." Read the full story

"Hi! I’m a Nutria": In this animated short by the filmmaker Drew Christie, a rodent living in Washington State defends criticism that he is an invasive species and asks humans, “How long does it take to become a native?” Watch closely to see the nutria pick up Eric Jay Dolin's book, Fur, Fortune, and Empire: The Epic History of the Fur Trade in America. Watch the video and read the op-ed

Elizabeth Farnsworth is Senior Research Ecologist with the New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS), and a biologist, educator, and scientific illustrator. She is also Editor-in-Chief of the botanical journal, Rhodora. She previously coordinated NEWFS planning for the conservation and management of over 100 species of rare plants. She is the principal investigator on Go Botany!, which is funded by the National Science Foundation:

LITZINGER12:34:22 Okay. Are we causing a problem? For example, here in the United States, we are a consumer society. Sometimes we don't think about where things come from. What's the connection between what we buy and the Sumatran Tiger? KRAMME12:34:34

Dr. Jeff Dlott is the father of one of the students (Chloe Dlott) where I am teaching this year. We connected early in the year when he realized we are both Switzer Fellows and have been in communication. Jeff did his Ph.D. in entomology, but now runs a sustainable agriculture company. I asked Jeff if he was willing to come and run two lab sessions with junior biology students.

This issue brief reports on the mechanics of and lessons learned from a conservation incentive program focused on the gopher tortoise. Its aim is to inform the successful design and implementation of other candidate programs emerging throughout the southern forests and greater United States. The Switzer Foundation is funding a pilot demonstration project to test the feasibility of the project concept. Read a summary and download the report