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Don DeHayes Leaves Lasting Legacy
The Rubenstein School Environment and Natural Resources News for our alumni and friends of Spring/Summer 2008 Don DeHayes Leaves Lasting Legacy Shari Halik Rubenstein School and Forest Service Lab sign lease agreement Rubenstein School Research Assistant Professor Kimberly Wallin (right) and undergraduate Addison Kasmarek (FOR ’10) conduct an insect study at the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station Lab in South Burlington, Vermont. When Don DeHayes became provost at the University of Rhode Island this spring, he left a huge legacy. His 30 years of ground-breaking forest research, award-winning teaching, interdisciplinary curriculum development, multicultural endeavors, philanthropic advancement, and partnership building have brought national recognition to The Rubenstein School. Don came to UVM’s School of Natural Resources in 1977 and initially taught courses in dendrology and forest genetics. In the 1990s, he was instrumental in creating an interdisciplinary curriculum and was first to teach NR 1, the introductory course in the School’s core curriculum. Don received a UVM Kroepsch-Maurice Award for Teaching Excellence in 1991. He served as associate dean and interim dean of the School before becoming dean in 2000. He took the lead in bringing a multicultural focus to the School. In 2006, he was honored with the endowed Donald DeHayes Multicultural Scholarship fund, establishing a legacy of support for multicultural students in The School. As dean, he oversaw significant growth in faculty research awards. His own research program began in genetics and forest tree improvement in the late 1970s and expanded to include acid rain research in the 1980s and the role of calcium depletion on forest stress response in more recent years. Don and his colleagues are at the forefront in demonstrating acid rain’s impact on forest trees. Don was named a University Scholar, honoring sustained excellence in research, in 2001. He also played a key role in boosting philanthropic support for the School and University. In 2003, Don helped secure the largest single gift in the University’s history, a $15 million donation from Stephen and Beverly Rubenstein. Don was also a key player in obtaining a $7.5 million gift from Lulie and Gordon Gund and family to relocate the renowned Institute for Ecological Economics to UVM. Among his most important contributions, however, may be the partnerships Don nurtured with state and federal agencies, non-profits, and other institutions, in particular, the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station. Don saw his vision for closer collaboration between the School and the Research Station become reality in January, when the School signed a lease agreement with the George D. Aiken Forest Service Lab in South Burlington to share laboratory space at the Forest Service facility. “Don viewed the Forest Service as a long-term and stable partner, and he understood the ‘inverse capacity’ of the two facilities—the Aiken Center was short on office space and funding to renovate labs, and the Forest Service Lab was underutilized,” says Paul Schaberg, Forest Service scientist and long-time research and multicultural program partner with Don. “Without this agreement with the Forest Service, we would not have been able to meet a number of goals that have developed during the Greening of Aiken process,” says Interim Dean Larry Forcier. “Meeting these goals will require good planning, attention, and cooperation, and the rewards of our efforts will demonstrate our commitment to sustainability.” Not only does Larry see the integration as a way for the School to walk the talk of sustainability, he sees in it the potential to be a national model. In other federal-university partnerships, federal scientists are usually housed in a university facility. In this case, it’s reciprocal, with Forest Service employees housed in Aiken Center offices and Rubenstein School researchers working in federal labs. “We view the partnership with the University as a fundamental part of our federal science mission area,” states Michael Rains, director of the Northern Continued on page 2 Greening of Aiken Proposed Timeline Fundraising completed – Sept. 2008 Lab transitions completed – Oct. 2008 Design/permitting process ends – Nov. 2008 Move into temporary space – Dec. 2008 Renovations completed – June 2010 Dean’s Message Our students make a difference Environmental Studies Ian Worley (802-656-4055) Greetings to alumni, parents, and friends. In the last few months, we lost two conservation giants from the School’s family. Board of Advisor members Steve Rubenstein and Frank Parker were instrumental in advancing The Rubenstein School. They would be among the first to want to know that we are following our mission with effectiveness and distinction, that our alums make a difference, and that our students are talented and motivated. We recently held UVM’s 204th commencement, the 35th since our School was established. During the Rubenstein ceremony, we listened to thoughtful comments from Chuck Ross (UVM ’78). Chuck received the Kidder Prize as an outstanding UVM student when he graduated 30 years ago, is a member of our School’s Board of Advisors, and serves as Vermont staff director for Senator Patrick Leahy. Chuck spoke eloquently about kindness, trying hard, loving and forgiving, investing in hope, and changing the world. He presumed that good people comprised his audience, and he was right! The Rubenstein School students with whom I have interacted over the past four years are superb people who will make a difference. They care about each other and about the world around them. We are lucky to attract the students who enroll in the School. However, we do not get these high quality students by happenstance. That good fortune is based on the hard work of thoughtful people who care deeply about the environment. Our Rubenstein School, formerly known as the School of Natural Resources and nurtured even prior to that by Forestry John Shane (802-656-2907) Lease Agreement continued from page 1 Natural Resources Clare Ginger (802-656-2698) Research Station. “Building science capacity through shared positions and other resources will ensure the Forest Service and the University better serve the people of Vermont by linking environmental health with community stability. We feel this partnership is a benchmark of how organizations of mutual interest should work together to advance leading-edge academic instruction, discovery, and technology transfer.” Larry also recognizes the important work of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and his staff in contributing to the development of this partnership. As a result of the lease signing, the Greening of Aiken project has been expanded to the Integration toward Sustainability project, a name suggest- Interim Dean Larry Forcier This newsletter is produced bi-annually to share news of The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources with alumni and friends. School web site: www.uvm.edu/envnr/ Interim Dean Larry Forcier (802-656-4280) Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs Margaret Shannon (802-656-4280) Acting Associate Dean Graduate programs (M.S. and Ph.D.) Saleem Ali (802-656-4280) Program Chairs Environmental Sciences Alan McIntosh (802-656-4057) Recreation Management Patricia Stokowski (802-656-3093) Wildlife & Fisheries Biology Allan Strong (802-656-2910) Newsletter Editor Shari Halik (802-656-8339) Please send news or suggestions to: Shari Halik, Aiken Center, 81 Carrigan Drive, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405 or [email protected]. 2 people in the UVM College of Agriculture, has been developed with the education of students at its center. It is based on principles of integrity and integration, caring and stewardship, and active involvement and hands-on learning. Diversity is seen as a keystone of ecosystem stability; and creative, holistic thinking, as leading to solutions for humankind’s problems. The late John Dewey, UVM graduate and educational reformer, urged us to recognize the effectiveness of handson learning and concluded that “Education is not preparation for life. Education is life itself.” Our graduates such as the late Mollie Beattie (MS-FOR ’80), first woman to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Gail Kimball (FOR ’74), first woman to head the U.S. Forest Service; and Kesha Ram (NR ’08), first multicultural president of UVM’s Student Government Association, have demonstrated the importance of dedication and hard work while shattering glass ceilings. And, the glorious aesthetics, proud history, and special democracy of Vermont communities provide more than ample stimulus for our students to do the right thing and help change the world. We will welcome the largest first-year class in the School’s history this fall—students who are creative, talented, and caring will join us in creating a sound and sustainable Earth. Thank you for all you do to help the School and UVM attract and educate people who will meld knowledge, common sense, and goodness, and as Chuck Ross stated, in “celebrations and struggles to make the world a better place for you, your children, and their children”. ed by Will Raap, member of the School’s Board of Advisors. The Integration toward Sustainability Committee will work with UVM to bring together the Forest Service Lab and Aiken Center and help with the challenge of raising an additional $1 million to complete the reconstruction of the Aiken Center as a shining example for future campus-wide greening efforts. “For the third year,” says Gary Hawley, committee chair, “We have had an excellent group of interns and students work on the project. This year students worked with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) expert Linda Samter (NRP ’93) to find extra points to help in our goal to achieve the LEED platinum level of sustainable design and construction.” Congratulations to All Rubenstein School Graduates of 2008! We welcome our newest alumni! Here are six of our graduates of 2008 and the stories they have to tell. Kiley Briggs Hometown: Shoreham, VT Major: Wildlife & Fisheries Biology In fifth grade, Kiley learned about Vermont’s reptile and amphibian program from Jim Andrews, herpetologist at Middlebury College. In high school, he surveyed the state’s reptile and amphibian populations with Jim through Audubon Vermont. “I wanted to go to college somewhere in the Northeast other than Vermont, but UVM kept coming up in my searches and ended up as my top choice.” Kiley entered in environmental sciences, but switched majors because every course he wanted to take was in wildlife. His favorite course? Jim Andrews’ off-campus herpetology course, in which Kiley assisted for two years. Each year, Kiley interned at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center in Burlington. With Post Doc Noah Perlut (PhD-NR ’07), Assistant Professor Allan Strong, Nate Zalik (MS-WFB ’07), and Heidi Lyon (WFB ’09), Kiley worked on a grassland breeding bird study to determine nesting success rate of Savannah Sparrow and Bobolink under agricultural pressures. “Wildlife habitat loss and fragmentation are contributing to a loss of biodiversity. We are lining things up for another mass extinction—this time caused by humans. We need to start at the local level using conservation biology as a tool to help combat habitat loss.” Recipient of the New England Outdoor Writers Association Scholarship, Kiley is creating his own online field guide to reptiles and amphibians. This summer and next year, he will work with Associate Professor Donna Parrish and graduate student Isaac Chellman to determine a reliable sampling method for mudpuppies (aquatic salamanders) and map their distribution in Lake Champlain. His ultimate goal? Grad school in herpetology. sociate Professor Jon Erickson. “I finally got to see upstate New York through a natural resource lens. I found the faculty in the School really care about the natural environment of Vermont and the surrounding area.” Jon did his rec management internship in event planning with the Vermont Mozart Festival, which draws 16,000 visitors during its 22-concert summer event around the state. In NR 206 Environmental Problem Solving and Impact Assessment with Instructor Matt Kolan (PhD-NR), Jon worked at “Step It Up” in Burlington’s Battery Park. “It was exciting to be part of an event that brought key government officials, environmental action organizations, and citizens together to bring out awareness about steps we need to take to help stop global climate change.” Jon would like to pursue an MBA but wants to acquire business experience first. This summer he and his girlfriend, Katelyn Homeyer (NR ’08), will live in Saratoga, New York where Jon will work for an environmental consulting firm. Kesha Ram Hometown: Santa Monica, CA Major: Natural Resources In high school, Kesha was student environment affairs coordinator. She introduced recycling and environmental ed to campus. She interned at California’s Coalition for Clean Air, and she led fellow students to the 2004 World Social Forum in India. “I felt like UVM and The Rubenstein School, was a place where I could forge my own path.” Pursuing dual degrees in natural resources and political science, Kesha became a leader for racial and environmental justice at UVM and in Vermont. A USDA Multicultural Scholar and a UVM Honors College student, she was President of Students for Peace and Global Justice and served on the President’s Commission on Racial Diversity. For her senior thesis, with faculty advisor Clare Ginger, Jon Ellermann Kesha researched environmental justice in Vermont, one of eight Hometown: Greenstates without an environmental justice bill. “There is growing wich, NY awareness that Vermont is falling behind in this legal framework, Major: Recreation which if implemented could prevent injustice from growing as Management Vermont’s demographics and economy change.” Kesha worked Jon grew up skiing with state representative Rachel Weston to shape an environin the Adirondacks, mental justice bill currently sitting on the legislative docket. became interested in She was one of 80 students nationwide selected as a Udall ski area management, Scholar by the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in and applied only National Environmental Policy Foundation for her demonstrated to UVM. An Aiken commitment to environmental issues. President of UVM’s Stuscholar, he shifted into dent Government Association, Kesha was chosen by the Harry S. environmental policy Truman Scholarship Foundation as one of 65 Truman Scholars in and earned a minor in the country based on leadership potential, intellectual ability, and economics. likelihood for “making a difference.” His favorite course Balancing the rigors of furthering her education with dewas a travel study in the mands of politics, Kesha will run for a seat in Vermont’s House Adirondacks with Asof Representatives in Burlington District 3-4 in November. Continued on page 4 3 Graduates of 2008 continued Min Zheng Hometown: Manhattan, NY Major: Environmental Studies Through a partnership between New York’s High School for Environmental Studies and The Rubenstein School, Min visited UVM. She decided to enroll in both the UVM Honors College and environmental studies program. A USDA Multicultural Scholar, Min appreciated support from former Assistant to the Dean Maria Erb. “She helped me adjust to being an Asian American on campus. I learned there were no limits to what I could do here.” She was invited to join The Rubenstein School Board of Advisors. As president of the Asian American Student Union, Min rejuvenated its program from the ground up. Min took advantage of off-campus opportunities. She lived with a family in Costa Rica and studied the ecological niche of the spider monkey; on an alternative winter break in Mexico, she helped with forest restoration. Through American University’s study abroad program, Min interned with the World Wildlife Fund in Washington, DC and researched hydropower development of the MeKong River in Southeast Asia. She traveled to South Africa and learned how apartheid affects farmers. As a McNair Scholar, Min worked on a senior research project with faculty advisors Stephanie Kaza and Kit Anderson and looked at Confucianism as an environmental ethic in presentday China. An Undergraduate Research Endeavors Competitive Award funded Min’s travel to China. She also interned with The Nature Conservancy and studied the role of non-governmental organizations in environmental development in China. Min is considering graduate school in sustainable development or natural ecology and design. challenges traditional forestry with a progressive curriculum.” Drew valued service-based learning through the Green Forestry Education Initiative. As an independent study with David Brynn, director of the Initiative, Drew redesigned a woods road at the Jericho Research Forest within guidelines of acceptable management practices and with the lay of the land to provide greater access with less impact. Drew continued to immerse himself in his Warrior Writers projects and handmade paper business with Green Door Studio, a collective of artists in Burlington, where he is director. In 2007, Drew and his partners published a second book, Warrior Writers: Re-making Sense, a continued portrayal of war in Iraq through the lens of soldiers. Drew would like to work in forestry at some point, but for now, as New England regional coordinator for IVAW, he plans to stay in the Burlington area and put his energy into writing and papermaking to reach out against the war. “We have to find a way to eradicate war. It is the most destructive, consumptive, and violent form of interaction on Earth. All my work is a form of testimony and reflection. Some people call it activism, but it’s a more subtle way of sharing intimate stories to redefine peoples’ relationships with soldiers and war.” Satish Serchan Hometown: Burlington, VT Major: Environmental Sciences Satish grew up in urban Nepal where he experienced impacts of pollution on the environment. “I liked chemistry and math so chose environmental science.” A USDA Multicultural Scholar, Satish credits Professors Alan McIntosh and Deane Wang with providing him resources to succeed. Satish became active on the School’s Diversity Task Force. “I appreciated how students, staff, and faculty interacted to promote Drew Cameron diversity in the School.” For a Task Force International Dinner, Hometown: Iowa City, Satish lined up meals made by local Iraqi and Bhutanese families IA he met while volunteering with the Vermont Refugee ResettleMajor: Forestry ment Program. Growing up with a Satish interned with Deane, staff member Carl Waite, and father in the military, graduate student Corrie Blodgett (MS-NR) to study how differDrew lived in five states ent plant communities affect nutrients in leachate. He received a before attending high National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Underschool in Iowa City. He joined the U.S. Army and graduates award and studied effects of global warming on estuary dynamics and feeding behavior of zooplankton at the Smithsonspent four years in active ian Environmental Research Center on the Chesapeake Bay. duty, serving in Iraq in With a McNair Scholarship, Satish studied stream dynamics 2003 as a field artillery and nutrient transport in Potash Brook of South Burlington with soldier. He then came to Professor Breck Bowden. He will head to Baltimore to work Vermont and with writwith inner city youth and the Parks and People Foundation. “I’d ing partners, compiled stories and artwork about like to tie the sciences into helping underrepresented groups. We face an increase in human refugees caused by global warming. the war and published It’s ultimately about people—the cause of the warming and the Warrior Writers by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). effects on our populations.” He also visited UVM. “I’d always been fascinated with the In the not too distant future, Satish envisions pursuing gradunatural world, and when I learned about the philosophy of The ate work in environmental sciences with a water focus. Rubenstein School’s forestry program, I was sold. The program —Shari Halik 4 Clare Ginger Receives Outstanding Faculty Woman Award to students: “When I first came to [Clare], I had decided that I wanted to take on two degrees—not two majors but two degrees in two colleges with two sets of requirements. She could have talked me out of it and saved us both a lot of headaches, but instead, she has helped me pursue those two degrees, carve out a minor, and graduate in the Honors College.” Clare observes that women students in the School can now see themselves in future professional positions through female faculty mentors. The School has changed dramatically since the 1980s from all male faculty and mostly male students to 40% female faculty and over 50% female students. Clare says, “It’s important for both male and female students to have women faculty as role models.” In her courses, Clare integrates gender diversity and environmental justice issues. “We recognize that women tend to be leaders in grassroots environmental justice movements,” she explains. Through real life accounts and feminist readings, Clare shows her students how women have played strong roles in community organizing. She recounts the Love Canal story of Lois Gibbs who led the fight against a toxic waste dump in her Niagara Falls community. Women’s issues also figure in Clare’s research. “I’m currently interested in the link between human population health and the environment in developing countries and the role of women in determining family size,” she explains. She works with organizations in the Philippines where there is concern about family size and migration patterns in coastal areas. Pressures on natural re- Shari Halik Associate Professor Clare Ginger was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Woman Award for 2008 from the UVM Women’s Center, Women & Gender Studies, and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women for her significant contributions to the lives of women on campus through service, teaching, and feminist scholarship. “Clare invests huge amounts of energy and time in developing a curriculum that advances our community’s understanding of the challenges in confronting women’s issues and racism in environmental and natural resources management,” says Interim Dean Larry Forcier. “We are delighted by this recognition of her outstanding service well beyond the School.” As chair of the natural resources curriculum, Clare works above and beyond with students who want to create a unique academic program that does not exist on campus, who are struggling to find their way, or who are in crisis. She has helped students balance dual degrees in French, music, or political science, supported a student involved in a residence hall tragedy, and encouraged a student to fulfill a dream of traveling to Africa to work with the Jane Goodall Institute. “Students often are trying to connect their ideas and hopes for the future to their academics,” says Clare, “and I guide them to find the supporting coursework and resources and to see why they are here—to develop as individuals and leaders in the environmental field.” Advisee Kesha Ram (NR ’08), who nominated Clare for the award, recognized that her advisor had very little free time because Clare devotes so much time Associate Professor Clare Ginger sources and fish populations are affecting family nutrition. This is where women’s literacy and health comes to the forefront according to Clare. “Women should have the capacity to make decisions about family size,” she states. “Increased literacy rates among women, greater access to education, and ability to participate in the economic sector are linked to the power to make choices and determine family size.” Clare is also chair of the UVM President’s Commission on Racial Diversity and received the 2008 Outstanding Faculty Award from the ALANA (African, Latino(a), Asian and Native American) Student Center for continual commitment to leadership, advocacy, and social justice. Shari Halik Assistant to the Dean Maria Erb Expands Her Role in Student Diversity Former Assistant to the Dean Maria Erb After seven years in The Rubenstein School, Assistant to the Dean Maria Dykema Erb has moved to UVM’s ALANA (African, Latino(a), Asian, and Native American) Student Center as student retention and assessment coordinator. A long-time proponent for diversity, Maria says, “I’m excited about being able to make an impact University-wide in retaining students of color.” She made a tremendous impact on the School in her diversity efforts. Each of the years that she and former Dean Don DeHayes applied to the USDA Multicultural Scholars Program, the School was awarded scholarships for ALANA students. Maria chaired the School’s Diversity Task Force and worked with Don to develop a partnership with the High School for Environmental Studies in New York City. 5 Several graduates of the High School have since enrolled in and graduated from The Rubenstein School. Maria handled undergraduate recruitment from the first stage of inquiry to the first day of classes—prospective student visits, appointments with faculty, tours, Admitted Student Days, open houses, and June Orientation. Maria touched the lives of each of the School’s undergraduates over the past seven years. “Maria’s remarkable organizational skills have been essential in successfully recruiting increasingly competitive classes of first year students and in bringing a number of talented transfer students to the School,” said Don. “She has been instrumental in nearly every phase of our efforts to build a supportive environment for students and colleagues of color.” University and Rubenstein School Lose Friend, Advisor, and Benefactor, Stephen Rubenstein Stephen Rubenstein, an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and philanthropist, died June 23, 2008 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Rubenstein had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in April 2008. He was 69. Steve was president of Rubenstein Properties of Little Falls, New Jersey, a firm he founded in 1961 after studying horticulture at the University of Vermont. In the ensuing decades, he built his business into a multi-million dollar conglomerate of real-estate development, construction, and defense-contracting companies. In 2003, Steve and his wife Beverly became the largest individual donors in University of Vermont history with a $15 million commitment to support environmental education and research. The gift resulted in the renaming of UVM’s School of Natural Resources to The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the University’s first named school and one of only a few named environment and natural resources program in the world. The couple had previously made a $1 million gift naming the University’s Stephen and Beverly Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory on the shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington. Over the years, the Rubensteins also made significant annual gifts to UVM supporting scholarships to fund student environmental research projects at various locations around the country and the world. In addition to their support of the University of Vermont, the Rubensteins’ philanthropy extended to conservation groups including American Forests and the Jewish National Fund and to the state of Israel. Steve was a member of numerous business, professional, and nonprofit boards, including The Willow School in Gladstone, New Jersey and several at the University of Vermont, including The Rubenstein School Board of Advisors. Steve took pride that his company, which bought degraded factories and warehouses and made significant improvements that added value, also employed practices to reduce the impact of construction on surrounding properties and used environmentally sensitive design. He brought those values of environmental stewardship to the University of Vermont in 1993, when he became a founding member of the Board of Advisors of what was then called the School of Natural Resources. There, he championed the idea that Vermont’s own extraordinary environment is a natural home to America’s top environmental school. “The Rubensteins have been part of the School family for two decades, or for half of our entire existence,” says Interim Dean Larry Forcier. “We are deeply saddened by Steve’s passing and will miss greatly his wisdom, drive, and kindness. Very shortly after first meeting, it was obvious to me that Steve Rubenstein understood and fully supported the School’s mission. His creative and sound advice and the Rubenstein family’s incredible 6 generosity have been essential to former Dean Don DeHayes and myself and a generation of students, faculty, and staff. Our sincere sympathy and love go to the Rubensteins; we learned a lot from Steve and we very proudly accept the responsibility of continuing his and the family’s environmental legacy.” Steve was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University at its 200th commencement in 2004. “Steve’s extraordinary vision for, and support of, UVM as the environmental university was enormously powerful, productive, and hugely influential in shaping UVM’s institutional identity and destiny,” states UVM President Daniel Mark Fogel. “Our thoughts and prayers go out at this sad moment to his family and especially to his wife Beverly, his son Andrew, daughter-in-law Vicki, and grandchildren Olivia and Cameron.” Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Forests, the Jewish National Fund, The Willow School, or the University of Vermont. —Jay Goyette, UVM Communications The Rubenstein School Board of Advisors Chair Ann Pesiri Swanson (WFB ’79) Ned Austin (UVM ’57) Mark Biedron (UVM ’74) David Blittersdorf (UVM ’81) Sally Bogdanovitch (FOR ’77) Herb Bormann John Douglas Kay Henry Matthew Kolan (UVM ’05) Crea Lintilhac (UVM ’78) Will Raap Peter Rose (UVM ’54) Chuck Ross (UVM ’78) Steve Rubenstein (UVM ’61) Ross Whaley John Wilson (FOR ’75) Honorary Members Lola Aiken Eugene Kalkin (UVM ’50) New Faculty Member Uses Remote Sensing to Detect Forest Decline Jennifer Pontius, new research assistant professor in The Rubenstein School, describes herself as a forest ecologist who applies the tools of remote sensing to the study of ecological processes. You could also call her a detective of sorts. Her work uses what is called “hyperspectral remote sensing” to detect subtle color changes in stressed foliage—changes invisible to the naked eye. “We fly over forests with a highly sophisticated camera that provides images in 225 bands across the visible and nearinfrared spectrum,” she explains. “A normal color camera uses only three bands.” Formerly a research scientist with the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station in Durham, New Hampshire, Jen admits she prefers her work and her feet on the ground. In the field, she measures the health of trees to calibrate instruments used by the flight crew, and post-flight, she ground checks the findings. In the lab, she pulls the remotely sensed images into GIS (geographic information systems) to map and model the pre-visual tree decline symptoms. For her doctoral work at the University of New Hampshire, in collaboration with the Forest Service, Jen began testing the hyperspectral technique for early detection of symptoms caused by hemlock woolly adelgid, an introduced exotic pest. “In conjunction with early detection mapping, we use tree dendrochronology data from across the Northeast to examine how soil, site, foliar, and climate variables affect tree decline rates following adelgid infestation,” Jen explains. “GIS models can then predict hemlock susceptibility to the adelgid across the Northeast.” Jen and her colleagues use the remote sensing technique to detect and map effects of acid deposition and soil nutrient depletion in Catskill Mountain watersheds, which supply much of New York City’s drinking water. Remote sensing coverages of tree species distribu- New Assoicate Research Professor Jennifer Pontius and her daughter Grace tion and foliar adelgid and emerald ash borer, another chemistry are linked to soil chemistry and exotic pest, as well as oak wilt and beech nitrogen deposition maps to identify surbark disease.” She plans to continue this face waters most sensitive to acid deposiwork from her Rubenstein School office. tion and declining forest health. Jen may bring her “detective work” “The ability to detect trees in the very into the classroom, too. As instructor for early stages of decline and predict anticiNR 146 Remote Sensing of Natural Repated rates of decline across entire landsources, she envisions her students using scapes is crucially important to managing local imagery in a service learning project our forests into the future,” she says. in Chittenden County. “I’d like to see But, there is a downside to working what we can find—how forest health and with such sophisticated equipment. “It’s land cover types have changed over time, an expensive tool and you have to take it for instance,” she says. where people are able to fund it,” admits In spring 2009, she will teach NR Jen. “States in the Midwest joined forces 140 Applied Biostatistics, inherited from to fund work in early detection of the retired Professor Carl Newton. “I’d like to use data my students can apply to real world problems,” she says. “That’s how I learned to see and understand data.” Leaving a permanent job with the Forest Service was difficult, but Jen was excited by the collaborative nature she saw in The Rubenstein School. “Nowhere else have I come across this level of commitment to a common cause as I see in the School,” she admits. She would like to continue working on forest health issues and is eager to collaborate with faculty in the School, in the College of Agriculture, and at the Forest Service Northern Research Station in South Burlington. Jen and her husband, John, a middle school teacher, bought a house and several acres in Underhill, where Jen is looking forward to gardening in Vermont’s fertile soils. Jen, John, and their daughter Grace enjoy hiking and camping. —Shari Halik Rubenstein School Loses a Friend, Advisor, and Supporter Frank Parker, founder and honorary member of The Rubenstein School’s Board of Advisors, passed away February 1, 2008. Frank began earning his reputation as a conservation pioneer in the early 1960s. He practiced law for 40 years, but was best known for the role he played to protect fragile and environmentally sensitive areas in the state of New Jersey. He was a generous supporter of the School, especially its Greening of Aiken effort. Anyone who met Frank knew him as a man of honor, integrity, gentleness, and passion who dedicated his entire life to environmental causes. The School lost a friend and the earth lost a champion the day Frank passed away. 7 Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: A big contributor to graduate education Tucked away in the Aiken Center, the Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit has a big mission. The small unit of two faculty, one staff assistant (Theresa DeBarge), and a handful of graduate students and post doctoral associates work diligently on Vermont’s aquatic and terrestrial resources to collect and analyze data Vermont needs to manage its fish and wildlife populations. “Our goal is to provide the best possible science to natural resource management agencies for the restoration of habitats and recovery and sustainability of Vermont’s fish and wildlife species,” explains Unit Leader Donna Parrish. The Unit is a cooperative of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, University of Vermont, and Wildlife Management Institute. There are 39 units in 37 states located at land grant universities. Original Unit Leader Ken Williams and Mary Watzin brought the Unit to Aiken in 1990. Mary stepped down to become a full-time faculty member and director of the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory in 1994. Associate Professor Donna Parrish arrived in 1991 and became unit leader with Ken’s departure in 1995. Associate Professor Terri Donovan, assistant unit leader, arrived in 2000. “A big mission of the Unit besides research and technical assistance to the state is to provide education and training of graduate students,” explains Donna. Terri brings wildlife population modeling, parameter estimation in ecology, and conservation biology to the classroom. She also shares her expertise in population modeling with state personnel in training workshops. Donna teaches Ecology of Fishes and, with Professor Ellen Marsden, a field course at the Lake Mansfield Trout Club. Since the Unit’s inception, about 25 graduate students have earned degrees by conducting hands-on field and lab research on fish and wildlife in Vermont. Currently, there are six graduate students working on Unit projects. Donna’s students focus on Lake Champlain fisheries issues and on stream fishes in surrounding watersheds. Recent graduate Mike Harrington (MS-NR ’08) conducted sea lamprey pheromone studies on Lake Champlain. Master’s student Paul Simonin is using acoustics to map the distribution of native rainbow smelt and invasive alewife to understand changes in the Lake’s food web. Master’s student Isaac Chellman is developing sampling strategies for mudpuppies in tributaries of Lake Champlain. And master’s student Ryan Butryn is Unit Leader Donna Parrish holds a brown trout. studying thermal limits of brook trout in Vermont streams to help predict how tion dogs, hair snares, and video cameras global warming may effect populations. to collect data on presence in certain Terri’s students work on terrestrial habitat types. This project also spurred wildlife and habitat issues, especially redevelopment of a Unit website, containlated to land use change. “Fragmentation ing tutorials and how-tos developed for of Vermont’s forest land is causing loss wildlife population estimating (www.uvm. of potential habitat and loss of habitat edu/envnr/vtcfwru/). “It’s important to get connectivity for many of our wildlife speour methods out there for practitioners,” cies,” explains Terri. states Terri. Kerri Cornell (PhD-NR ’07) studAgricultural land use change also imied habitat fragmentation effects on the pacts wildlife populations. Noah Perlut Black-throated Blue Warbler. Master’s (PhD-NR ’07) co-advised by Assistant student Mark Freeman is radio collarProfessor Allan Strong, studied effects ing Vermont’s elusive bobcats. He tracks of hayfield management on ecology them to learn more about their habitat use and evolution of the grassland songand movement to aid in habitat protection. birds, Savannah Sparrow and Bobolink. Master’s student Hanem Abouelezz also Intensified haying practices are contributworks on the bobcat project. ing to population declines. “We’re in the middle of a big project Drastic increases in wildlife popuon how forest land use change affects lations can also bring about habitat biodiversity,” explains Terri. In 2003 changes. An explosion in Doubleand 2004, a group of graduate students crested Cormorant populations on Lake surveyed plants Champlain has caused island habitat deand animals at struction and displacement of native bird over 200 sites in species. In collaboration with Professor Vermont. They cre- David Capen, Unit student Adam Duerr ated probability of (PhD-NR ’07) explored cormorant reoccurrence maps sponse to population control by treatment for several species of eggs with corn oil. Donna’s master’s across the entire student Marc Eisenhower continues to state. Robert Long study effects of fish availability on cormo(PhD-NR ’06) rant feeding. contributed by pre“We couldn’t get the work done dicting occurrence without graduate student support,” says of black bears and Donna. “And our students continue to other carnivores in make lasting contributions in fisheries and the state using non- wildlife biology at academic institutions Noah Perlut (PhD-NR ’07) releases a Savannah Sparrow during his study invasive methods and state and federal agencies.” of hayfield management effects on ecology of grassland songbirds. such as scat detec —Shari Halik 8 Hannaford Charitable Foundation Gives $150,000 for Greening of Aiken Sally McCay, UVM Photo Services a large impact on UVM’s educational program, as well as its environmental footprint,” said Andy Willette, Hannaford’s Vermont district manager, “and that was one of the reasons we supported it. We’re very excited to be able to help make this innovative project a reality and would strongly encourage other corporate partners to join us in supporting this extremely worthwhile endeavor.” Hannaford Brothers Company, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 165 stores under the Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy names. —Chrysanne Chotas, UVM Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Flanked by Rubenstein School students, faculty, and staff, Andy Willette (left), Vermont district manager for Hannaford Brothers Company, presents a $150,000 check to UVM President Daniel Mark Fogel (right) for environmentally sustainable renovation of the Aiken Center. The Hannaford Charitable Foundation has made a $150,000 gift to the University of Vermont to support the environmentally sustainable renovation of the George D. Aiken Center. The $13 million Greening of Aiken project, scheduled to begin construction in the 2008-09 academic year, could make the Aiken Center, built in 1982, one of the most sustainably de- signed buildings in the country. The Hannaford gift is the largest corporate contribution to the Greening of Aiken project. In addition to being a model green building, the renovated Aiken Center will also be a teaching tool for both UVM students and the surrounding community to study its sustainable features. “This project has the potential to have Cape Branch Foundation Gives $100,000 to Greening of Aiken The Cape Branch Foundation of Princeton, New Jersey, has supported the School and its Greening project with a $100,000 gift. Gretchen Biedron, former advisor, and Mark Biedron, current advisor for the School, made the gift possible. This significant contribution brings us closer to reaching our $1 million goal to break ground for the project. Sally McCay, UVM Photo Services Ross Family Gift Offers Students Public Service Experience most influential and respected Vermont public servants of his generation, having been appointed to positions of public trust under Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter. Charlie earned a reputation as a strong advocate for consumers, environmental protection, and the public interest. Charlie UVM students met with Charlotte Ross and son Peter Ross (seated) whose taught public policy family gift enhanced an experiential learning course in public service. at UVM in the early 1970s. Since his Strong UVM alumni and student supdeath in 2003, public events at UVM to port and a generous gift from the Charles celebrate his life have been made posRoss family, inspired Larry Forcier sible by two of his former students, Bill to offer a new course this past spring. Wachtel (UVM ’76) and Scott Baldwin The Charlie Ross Environmental Public (UVM ’76), who were inspired by his Service Practicum, a 5-6 credit experiendevotion to public service. tial learning course, offered nine UVM “The ‘Charlie Ross’ course was destudents the experience of a lifetime at the signed for students who have the potential Vermont State House. and the desire to become involved in The late Charlie Ross was one of the public service,” explains Larry. “They are 9 required to write reflective papers on their experiences and present and debate their insights on what it takes to effectively promote change for the public good.” Students were mentored by state legislators and became immersed in the workings of the legislature where their role was to provide science on alternative energy, a key issue in Vermont. “My intern, Alex Robbins (ENVS ’10), produced supporting materials for my presentation to the Senate on the Energy Independence and Economic Prosperity bill S.350,” explains State Senator Ginny Lyons (UVM ’88). “This was no small task for a bill with content ranging from renewable energy goals, greenhouse gas registry, and energy investment oversight. What greater way to learn than by writing and interpreting policy, while experiencing power and politics under ‘the golden dome.’” “Through my weekly internship at the legislature under the guidance of my supervisor, State Representative Mitzi Johnson (UVM ’93), I gained a clearer understanding of the political system,” says Min Zheng (ENVS ’08). “This experience will help me in a future public service or political role.” Shari Halik Alum Debra Sachs Directs Program to Reduce Carbon Emissions non-profits. She is past president of the Vermont Planners Association and actively inspires the planning community to advance integrated approaches to land use, energy, climate change, and public engagement. The tools and programs she has helped develop offer key support to both the public and private sectors. She also coordinates workshops and trainings. In 1998, Deb joined the Burlington Climate Protection Task Force, a group of professionals from government and non-profit organizations helping the City to inventory and develop strategies to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2000, the Task Force renamed itself the Alliance for Climate Action in preparation for implementing the Burlington Climate Action Plan strategies including civic engagement, energy efficiency, Alum Debra Sachs, director of Vermont’s 10% Challenge waste reduction, and promoting for climate action, rides the bus to work in Burlington. transportation alternatives. Initial When it comes to action against work focused on development of the 10% climate change, Debra Sachs (FOR ’84, Challenge which has inspired thousands of NRP ’93), is at the forefront in Vermont. households and hundreds of businesses to Deb manages the 10% Challenge, a take action. public education and outreach program to In conjunction with the 10% Chalreduce carbon emissions. She has helped lenge, Deb coordinates business outreach plan, design, and implement tools and for the annual Way To Go! Commuter strategies to assist communities and other Challenge, an alternative commute comgroups interested in environmental planpetition. She is also a cofounder of the ning and action. Vermont Energy and Climate Action NetFor more than 15 years, Deb has been work where she collaborates with several staff and contract consultant, working partners to help form and support energy for state, regional, and local entities and committees statewide. As the former Chittenden County staff representative to the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, Deb has shared her experiences beyond Vermont with other states and as a panelist at global conferences. She also participated in development of Vermont’s Climate Action Plan as a Plenary Group member for the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change. Deb’s work has received several public service and achievements awards toward environmental excellence. As a member of the UVM Environmental Forum, Deb has maintained a tie with the University. “UVM staff and students provide wonderful assistance,” she admits. Beyond Vermont, the 10% Challenge has inspired others outside the state to reduce carbon emissions, like the New Hampshire Carbon Challenge. Deb enjoys making connections with others including the Vermont Interfaith Power and Light. Here, she and five other households in her community put their homes and families on a low carbon diet, and vowed to lose 5,000 pounds of carbon annually. “I was thrilled when my own household exceeded the goal and lost 11,800 pounds of carbon for the year simply by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, insulating the house with cellulose, and taking the bus three to four days a week,” Deb proclaims. Deb lives with her husband Zoltan and their college-bound son, Justin, in their newly insulated home in South Burlington. To learn more about the 10% Challenge, go to www.10percentchallenge.org. Alum Andrew Linnemann Ensures Starbucks Green Coffee Quality Andrew Linnemann (RM ’91) began his career by drinking a lot of coffee. A self-proclaimed “ski bum” in the West after graduation, Andrew became enamored with Starbucks coffee. While in Wyoming, he met Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks Coffee Company. “He told me if I needed a job to look him up in Seattle,” recounted Andrew. “It sounded like a fun, exciting work environment with growth opportunities, so I took him up on his offer and headed to Seattle.” Andrew started out as a store partner, or employee, selling coffee in a retail shop and quickly progressed to managing several retail locations in the Seattle area. He then moved into a supply chain position responsible for getting fresh roasted coffee into the stores. When the company opened a new roasting plant in York, Pennsylvania, Andrew moved east to manage coffee quality in the facility. He returned to Seattle in 2001 and a year later, was promoted to director of green coffee quality and operations. He points out that the term “green coffee” refers strictly to the unroasted beans, not the strict environmental and social standards of the company. Yet, Andrew’s job is to uphold those standards. His team works to ensure the supply of coffee sourced under their economically, socially, and environmentally responsible program meets the highest quality standards. “I co-manage a team of 17 employees located all over the world, and we are accountable for managing the quality from the farmers to our customers. Through 10 our sourcing program, we understand where the coffee comes from and how it is grown and make sure that the high price Starbucks pays goes to the farmers and their community,” states Andrew. According to Andrew, coffee is grown by over 25 million farmers between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn in 60 different countries from Central and South America to Africa and the Asian Pacific. Starbucks buys from growers in 25 of those countries. Andrew and his team travel to where the coffee is grown and produced and work on the ground with agronomists and growers. “I’ve traveled for over eight years,” he adds, “and found that my foundation from Don DeHayes’ NR 1 course has helped me understand the work our agronomists Continued on page 11 Andrew Linnemann continued do in the field and the impacts on quality. The same basic principles in natural resources apply to agronomy.” In 2004, Starbucks introduced C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices, a set of environmental, social, and economic criteria for producing, processing, and buying coffee. This incentive-based sourcing program encourages sound environmental growing practices and socially responsible working conditions that help establish sustainable coffee production methods and quality harvests. Over half of Starbucks’ total coffee purchases (over 228 million pounds) are from growers who have been approved under C.A.F.E. guidelines by a third party certifier. Starbucks is also the largest purchaser, roaster, and distributer of Fair Trade Certified coffee in North America. Andrew has seen firsthand the positive difference in coffee communities that Starbucks works with. “We include an additional social premium in some of our coffee contracts above the negotiated purchase price,” explains Andrew. “These premiums are used to make infrastructure improvements that benefit local farmers, families, and communities, and because of that, the quality of life in many of these communities has improved.” “I love my job, which came out of a beverage I’ve always enjoyed,” admits Andrew. “I like working for a big company that chooses to do good things with its size. We make an impact on customers Alum Andrew Linnemann, director of green coffee quality and operations for and farmers Starbucks, visits coffee farms in Rwanda, Africa. all over the world.” daughter, Sylas and Amelia. He keeps in Andrew lives in the Seattle area with touch with classmates Brett Walker (RM his wife Lee Anne and their young son and ’91), Chris Reynen (RM ’91), and others. Alum Megha Budruk Brings her Rubenstein School Doctoral Experience to Arizona State University growing cities in the nation. She is an assistant professor of parks and recreation management in the School of Community Resources & Development at the Downtown Phoenix Campus of Arizona State University. Remembering Vermont winters, Megha says, “I love not having to dig myself out of the snow!” She brought much more from UVM than memories of snow. “My experiences at The Rubenstein School and with my advisor Bob Manning have certainly helped in my career,” she admits. “During my first year at Arizona State, I taught Alum Megha Budruk, assistant professor in parks and recreation an undergraduate class of over 310 students. My management at Arizona State University, tours Canyonlands National Park in Utah. teaching experience at UVM, although in smaller Megha Budruk (PhD-NR ’05) enclasses, still prepared me to handle a class joys the excitement of a large university of that size.” of 65,000 students in one of the fastest Recipient of a school-wide teaching 11 award this year, Megha instructs classes in leisure and quality of life, environmental interpretation and education, sustainable communities, and social science perspectives in recreation and tourism. She enjoys connecting with students and helping them discover career paths that excite them. In her Sustainable Communities core course, she says, “I have had several students focus on sustainability in their careers and have a former student working at a sustainable tourism company in Colorado.” Megha finds it rewarding to see students set career goals beyond their original expectations. She says, “Several of my undergraduate students decided to continue onto graduate school after talking to me. I’ve been able to personally involve both undergraduate and graduate students in research opportunities, making my research all the more fulfilling.” Two graduate student advisees have completed their master’s degrees with Megha. One student studied leisure constraints and physical activity participation among athletic trainers, and the other looked at valuing green space in an urban forest setting. Megha has also sat on committees for graduate student projects Continued on page 12 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No.143 Burlington, VT The Rubenstein School George D. Aiken Center 81 Carrigan Drive Burlington, VT 05405-0088 Printed on recycled paper Megha Budruk continued involving carrying capacity and visitor attitudes in Yosemite National Park, water conservation, and perceptions of ecological and social impacts on the Mormon Pioneer Historic Trail which runs from Illinois to Utah. Megha’s own research involves a U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) study to address the recreation preferences of visitors to five BLM recreation areas in Colorado. Megha will provide data from focus groups, on-site interviews, and in-depth investigations to support planning, management, and marketing by the BLM and its community-based partners. She is also teaming up with the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department in Arizona to gather information on visitor perceptions and attitudes in eight parks. “Results from visitor questionnaires will be used in a county-wide Managing for Results program, which integrates planning, reporting, evaluating, and decision-making in the county,” Megha explains. When she looks back at her doctoral program in which she studied visitor carrying capacity at urban-proximate national park units, Megha says, “Working with Bob ensured I had a lot of experience in project management, volunteer management, and research skill development.” Megha Budruk is one of five of Professor Robert Manning’s doctoral students who have attained faculty status at universities throughout the United States. Alumni notes We’d like to hear from more of you! Please send your updates to [email protected]. ’80 Brad Bortner (WFB, FOR ’81) has been chief of Migratory Birds and Habitat Programs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Portland, Oregon for 15 years. He covers migratory bird issues from Idaho to California to American Samoa. Brad has been married to his wife Sandra for 26 years and their 2 sons are now college students. He sends his greetings to classmates and especially the ’81 BAF Foresters. Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, Vermont for “outstanding contributions in the arts, humanities, and sciences that enrich our awareness and understanding of the natural world.” Ginny’s day job as a consulting forester for her firm Redstart Forestry takes her into the woods where her keen powers of observation and her endless curiosity help her produce some of the finest natural history writing. Together, Ginny and Steve operate the magazine with a new way of looking at the forest. ’90 ’93 Editor of Northern Woodlands magazine, Virginia Barlow (FOR), and co-editor Stephen Long shared the 2008 Franklin Fairbanks Award from the Fairbanks John Clark (FOR) recently finished his first year as assistant professor in the department of biological sciences at the University of Alabama. He writes, “I feel 12 very fortunate for the opportunity and the resources to develop a graduate and undergraduate lab in plant systematics. I continue to work in the Andes, and more recently I started a research program in Cuba.” He and his wife Silvana live with their 2 young sons in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ’07 Victoria Jones (ENVS) was hired in December 2007 as a staff assistant in the Vermont office of U.S. Representative Peter Welch. Prior to that, Tori was an educator at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, Vermont.