Every year, the Seattle Aquarium recognizes outstanding individuals who work and make a difference in the marine environment. This year, two individuals from our College of the Environment community were honored: Terrie Klinger, Professor and Director of the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, and Martha Kongsgaard, member of the Dean’s Advisory Board and Chair of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council.
Terrie Klinger received the 2014 Seattle Aquarium Research Award, which recognizes her efforts as a leader in the field of marine science. Klinger is a marine ecologist who has focused her energies on understanding how the oceans are changing, what’s driving those changes, and how the ecosystems and people connected to the sea are affected. She increasingly focuses her time and research on ocean acidification, and in 2013 was named co-Director of the Washington Ocean Acidification Center at the College of the Environment. Jan Newton is also co-Director, and a previous aquarium Research Award winner.
Martha Kongsgaard was honored with the 2015 Seattle Aquarium Medal for her lifetime accomplishments reflecting the aquarium’s mission of “inspiring conservation in our marine environment.” In addition to her being Chair of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council, she is co-founder of the Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation which helps support non-profit environmental, social justice, and arts organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Kongsgaard works with various non-profit and philanthropy groups throughout the region, helping to bring a unique perspective as a member of College of the Environment’s Advisory Board.
