In the Media
Friday, May 10th, 2013
Public lecture at UC Riverside to discuss challenges in assessing human impact on ecosystems
Humans are conducting massive experiments on ecosystems around the world by fragmenting habitats, killing predators, introducing exotic species, boosting nutrient concentrations, and altering climates. On May 22, ecologist Donald M. Waller will give the Jane Block Distinguished Lecture in Conservation Biology at the University of California, Riverside in which he will discuss how our ability to assess these impacts and track responses is crippled because we lack baseline data, controls, and adequate monitoring.(Phys.org)
Friday, May 10th, 2013
UW wins greenhouse gas grant
The stench of manure smells like opportunity for the University of Wisconsin-Madison that's getting part of a $10 million federal grant to study greenhouse gases emitted from dairy farms. The five-year project was announced Tuesday by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack who was in Madison for a tour of the USDA's Dairy Forage Research Center on the UW-Madison campus. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Friday, May 10th, 2013
USDA Funds Major Research Initiatives to Study the Affects of Weather and Climatic Variability on Beef and Dairy Cattle
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today awarded $19.5 million to support research, education and Extension activities associated with climate solutions in agriculture aimed at the impacts of climate variability and change on dairy and beef cattle. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy. (Scoop San Diego)
Friday, May 10th, 2013
Snow Cover Decline Risks Species: Climate Change Melts Wintry Blanket
During long, severe winters, the thick blanket of snow that blankets the north can actually help preserve plants and animals that remain in the harsh conditions. Yet as climate change causes warmer temperatures, this snow may no longer be as prevalent in some northern ecosystems. Now, researchers have found exactly how much this microenvironment beneath the snow has decayed. (Science World Report)
Friday, May 10th, 2013
Decline in snow cover spells trouble for many plants, animals
For plants and animals forced to tough out harsh winter weather, the coverlet of snow that blankets the north country is a refuge, a stable beneath-the-snow habitat that gives essential respite from biting winds and subzero temperatures. But in a warming world, winter and spring snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere is in decline, putting at risk many plants and animals that depend on the space beneath the snow to survive the blustery chill of winter. (Phys.org)
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
Dr. Owens joins 7th annual Nelson Institute event
Dr. Patricia Owens, History and Political Science instructor at Wabash Valley College, had the honor of attending the 7th Annual Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference held on April 15 at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wis. (Daily Republican Register)
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
Catching up with Kathleen Falk
Case studies are often used to give students a taste of the real world. But Kathleen Falk's Environmental Studies 402 class at UW-Madison's Nelson Institute takes it to another level. This semester, her students were tasked with figuring out how to build community support for ongoing lake cleanup efforts. On Monday, they presented their plans to the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission. (Isthmus)
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013
USDA awards university $9.9M grant
A $9.9 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the agriculture research department of University of Wisconsin will fund efforts for a more sustainable dairy industry. (The Badger Herald)
Wednesday, May 8th, 2013
Loss of snow cover puts some species in jeopardy, UW scientists say
Snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere - and especially along the edge of the Snow Belt, as in Wisconsin - has been shrinking. That's having implications for a place that most of us don't think about, but where a whole lot is happening during winter's slumber. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013
ASM hosts forum on sustainability
The University of Wisconsin’s student government held its first annual Sustainability Fair Saturday to give students the opportunity to get involved in on-campus environmental initiatives and lay the groundwork for future campaigns. (The Badger Herald)
