By Jeff Fair, Lazy Mountain, Alaska
Encounters with Owls
The first owl I encountered as a young lad back in Palmdale, Pennsylvania, was the Great Horned Owl that haunted my grandparents’ attic. It had arrived there, likely from a tree near the chicken coop, by way of my grandfather’s 12-gauge and a taxidermist’s ministrations. Its musty silence I expected. What freaked me out was the way the black pupils of that dead, stiff, stuffed bird’s yellow marble eyes followed me wherever I walked within its gaze.. Read the full article here
BRI 25 Year Anniversary Video
Links to BRI Centers
o Conservation and Climate Change
o Waterbirds
o Research on Offshore Wind and the
Environment
o Mercury Studies and Policy Issues
View the One Drop of Water Archive here.
Editor: Deborah McKew
Contributors:
Sarah Dodgin
Eleanor Eckel
Caitlin Guthrie
Masthead Design: Alyssa Soucy
Additional Illustrations: Shearon Murphy
One Drop at a Time is published quarterly by Biodiversity Research Institute
Webmaster: Eleanor Eckel
We protect what we love, and we love what we know.
What do you see in one drop of water? Is it full of life, or is it insignificant? Conservation is not a singular idea, or effort, or obligation. A common misconception is that small efforts don’t matter. This e-magazine offers a new perspective. As Desmond Tutu once said, “… if we remember that the sea is actually made up of drops of water and each drop counts, each one of us can do our little bit where we are. Those little bits can come together and almost overwhelm the world.”
Vol. 2 Issue 1.
Since its inception, BRI has prioritized the advancement of natural resource sciences in response to pressing ecological threats such as contaminants, habitat loss, climate change, and renewable energy development. We have cultivated the expertise and resources needed to develop innovative study designs, achieve more precise analysis, and maintain objective and informative interpretation.
A Whale of an Idea: BRI Launches its Marine Mammal Program
By Eleanor Eckel, MELP, Online Communications Manager; Science Policy Coordinator
Fun Fact: Humpback whales reduce carbon in the atmosphere and thus play an important role in combatting climate change. More whales, less carbon. This one fact is enough to create a program that helps understand the role whales play in our global ecological health. But it isn’t the only reason…Read the full article here. (Photo © Nico Faramaz/Shutterstock) .
BRI is well known for the integrity of our scientific study; this is in large part due to the people behind the science. For most, their work is not a job, but a deliberate way of life. Our staff members are hardy souls who endure long hours in all manner of weather and conditions. In this section, we will bring you the stories of the people behind the science.
Braving High Seas for High Stakes
By Sarah Dodgin, M.S., Ecological Analyst
For those seeking adventure, look no further than to BRI’s co-directors of the new Marine Mammal Program: Julia Stepanuk, Ph.D. (pictured here) and Megan Ferguson, Ph.D. These two highly skilled and experienced scientists have traversed thousands of miles of ocean by boat and plane in pursuit of finding solutions to pressing ecological issues. From pole to pole, Julia and Megan have gathered gripping stories of science and adventure to share. Read the full article here.
What is climate change resiliency? How do wildfires in Africa affect us in North America? Why do we care if a particular species becomes extinct? How is my small effort to recycle going to save the planet? What does art have to do with science? These are questions we will explore in this section of our ezine.
Maine Perspectives on Climate Change
By Caitlin Guthrie, USM Communications Intern
Storm surges are getting worse as climate change becomes an undeniable reality, and it is especially scary when you witness the damage in your own neighborhood. Remember, you can be the one drop of water that makes all the difference. Yes, there are problems, but there are also solutions. Seek out the solutions. Getting involved will help inspire optimism. Read the full article here. (Photo © Peter Eckel)
BRI has made great strides in bringing emerging ecological issues to the forefront of our nation’s and the world’s consciousness. Our scientific findings are imperative to those who make decisions about environmental policy and land use management. Stories here will focus on the critical intersection where science informs policy.
No Stop Signs at the Intersection of Science and Policy
By Deborah McKew, BRI Communications Director
It’s not an understatement to say that there are huge environmental issues facing our world today. Informing policymakers with scientific data is only part of the equation. BRI goes further with its proactive approach to helping policymakers develop viable solutions to these issues. Read the full article here. (Photo © United Nations office, Nairobi; Science Magazine)
