College scientists elected to the WA State Academy of Sciences

The Washington State Academy of Sciences has elected 18 new members to their ranks this year, including several that work in or closely with the College of the Environment. The organization is charged with providing expert scientific and engineering analysis to inform public policy-making, and works to increase the role and visibility of science in the State of Washington. Among those elected from the College of the Environment are Andre Punt, professor and director of the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; Eric D’Asaro, professor in the School of Oceanography and the Applied Physics Lab; and Bradley Colman, affiliate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

Task force to develop ‘Blueprint’ of action for Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management

Managing marine fisheries from an ecosystem perspective is a unique challenge, one that is bringing together numerous scientists on a new task force to move the science on this issue forward. Dubbed the Fishery Ecosystem Task Force, the group—funded by the Lenfest Ocean Program—will conduct their work under the leadership of Tim Essington from the College of the Environment’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences.

May 6, 2014

UW Climate Impacts Group plays major role in newest National Climate Assessment

The Obama Administration released the third National Climate Assessment, Climate Change Impacts in the United States, on May 6. Amy Snover, director of the Climate Impacts Group and assistant dean for applied research at the College of the Environment, served as a co-convening lead author of the assessment; additionally, the chapter focused on the Northwest drew heavily from the Climate Impact Group’s body of research, including the 2009 Washington Climate Change Impacts Assessment.

Apr 23, 2014

Magnuson-Stevens Act the topic of symposium at UW

The Magnuson-Stevens Act governing fisheries conservation and management is currently up for re-authorization in Congress, and was the topic of discussion at the UW on April 24 and 25. The Act has changed over the years since its inception, and multiple industry representatives, policy-makers, scientists, and others convened to share their perspectives on what are some key issues surrounding fisheries management.

Apr 16, 2014

Professor partners with Microsoft Research to visualize ocean investigations

Parker MacCready, professor at the School of Oceanography, finished up a stint as a Visiting Researcher at Microsoft Research last fall, utilizing the newest technology to advance the study of ocean acidification and other ocean sciences. Microsoft Research has the express goal of collaborating “with the world’s top researchers to develop technologies that help solve global challenges.” Ocean acidification is a phenomenon that will adversely affect the Puget Sound region, thus Parker spent four months partnering with the Earth, Energy, and Environment section of Microsoft Research Connections.