May 5, 2014

New Master of Science program for science teachers now accepting applications

The College of the Environment’s newest degree program, the Master of Science in Science for Teachers (MSST) is now accepting applications for the upcoming academic year. The program is designed for practicing science teachers, who will strengthen their knowledge and gain experience by completing meaningful scientific research with renowned UW researchers. Through a combination of a customized course plan and one-on-one faculty-mentored scientific research, MSST transforms science teachers into practicing scientists who return to their classrooms with the experience of doing fundamental or applied scientific inquiry.

May 1, 2014

Amphibians in a vice: Climate change robs frogs, salamanders of refuge

By hightailing it to nearby ponds and shallow waterways, frogs and salamanders have – until now – had a way to evade exotic trout introduced to the West’s high-mountain lakes for recreational fishing. A warming climate, however, will dry up some of the places where amphibians and their young have found refuge. Researchers in the May 1 issue of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment write about this challenge and a novel combination of tools that could help land managers, biologists, fishing enthusiasts and other citizens weigh where amphibians are in the most need of help and guide plans for possible fish removals from selected lakes.

May 1, 2014

New ocean acidification research points to food web impacts along US west coast

A pteropod, known as a sea butterfly (photo: NOAA)

New ocean acidification research published in late April shows a strong correlation between current ocean conditions and the dissolution of sea butterfly shells. Sea butterflies–or pteropods–play an important role in the marine food web, providing a food source for higher-level predators like salmon. The study focuses on the California Current, which stretches along the entire west coast of the United States and is a key driver of how our nearby marine ecosystems take shape and function.

Apr 30, 2014

Awards and Honors

Oceanography professor elected to National Academy of Sciences

Eric D’Asaro, a senior principal oceanographer at the UW’s Applied Physics Laboratory and professor of oceanography, and Benjamin Hall, professor emeritus of genome sciences and biology, and are among the 84 new members and 21 foreign associates elected as fellows the National Academy of Sciences. They were chosen recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research, according to a news release April 29 from the academy.

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.