In the Media...

Could old banana peels really provide a significant source of energy for our fuel–hungry society? SFR Research Associate Professor Sally Brown says "yes." See KUOW News story, "Turning Seattle's food waste into fuel," which references her research.  

Exports—especially to China and Japan—are emerging as bright spots for Washington’s lumber industry after one of its worst years ever. See Puget Sound Business Journal article, "Exports lift Washington state's lumber industry," quoting Ivan Eastin, professor and director of the Center for International Trade in Forest Products.

The UW Botanic Gardens’ Elisabeth C. Miller Library, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, is the first and only library in the region dedicated to gardening and horticulture and the only library of its type in the West that lends from its collection to the general public. A Seattle Times article, "Unique Seattle horticultural library has deep roots, celebrates 25 years," features the library, its programs and its collections.

Three pilot projects on Bureau of Land Management land in Oregon present a new vision of forest management on federal lands. Professor Jerry Franklin is quoted in the Seattle Times article, "Pilot projects seek way out of forest logjam."  

Burning tree trimmings, scrap lumber and other plant material to generate electricity has enjoyed wide political support at least in part because of the belief that it doesn't contribute excess greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. But new studies have some people questioning the merits of such biomass power. Professor Rick Gustafson is quoted in a Seattle Times article, "New studies raise doubts about greenness of biomass."

A new book by Sarah Reichard, professor and interim director of the UW Botanic Gardens, is featured in "New book is a guide to ethical modern gardening."

In a marriage of climate-science and art, a painter has created an ominous dual portrait of Olympic National Park's environmental future. See ""Drier climate? Poster 'educated guess' about Olympic National Park future," quoting Dave Peterson, professor and U.S. Forest Service biologist.

UW researchers are conducting a project on Whidbey Island, Wash., that, if successful, could bring back some of the area’s most colorful but long-lost species. "Researchers hope fires spark butterflies’ return," features research by Assistant Professor Jon Bakker and graduate student Eric Delvin.

Scientists suspect that the forests with the biggest trees store the most carbon, and Northwest forests are probably among the largest carbon sinks in the world. However, they also say that while slower-growing older trees store more carbon, younger trees also absorb more carbon as they grow rapidly. The resulting debate about how forests should be managed is discussed by Research Scientist Elaine Oneil in "NW forests offer carbon dilemma."

Squirrels douse themselves with rattlesnake scent as a safety measure, scientists suggest. "Rattlesnake perfume a longtime squirrel safety measure," a USA Today story, features research by a team led by Research Associate Barbara Clucas.

For coverage of Professor John Marzluff's wildlife research, see Chicago Tribune feature ""Wicked smart: Crows, those winged icons of Halloween, are so smart … it's scary." And the Seattle Times recently quoted Marzluff in a story about Anna’s hummingbirds in Western Washington; see "Hummingbirds: A tiny sign that spring is here."

SFR alumni have gone on to leadership positions in wildlife and conservation around the world and are often featured in the media. Some recent examples …

• For two Audubon Magazine pieces featuring Stacey Vigallon, ’03,  and the Western Snowy Plover, see "Snow patrol" and "One cute chick: the Western Snowy Plover."
• A New York Times story "In search of the grizzly (if any are left)," features William Gaines, ’02, and Chris Servheen, ‘75. You can also watch a video of Gaines searching for grizzlies in the Pasayten Wilderness, where there hasn't been an official sighting since 1968; see "The elusive grizzly bear."
• Steven Amstrup, ’72, recently retired as U.S. Geological Survey wildlife biologist conducting research on all aspects of polar bear ecology in the Beaufort Sea since 1980, and is now a senior scientist at Polar Bears International. He co-authored research featured in a Seattle Times article, "Scientists: It's not too late yet for polar bears." Also see a recent National Geographic interview with Amstrup.
• SFR alum John Klavitter, ’00, was featured in news stories around the world heralding the birth of a chick to "Wisdom," a 60-something Laysan’s albatross on Sand Island in Midway Atoll.  Klavitter is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist and the deputy manager of the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. See Chicago Tribune article, "Oldest known U.S. albatross hatches new chick," and the USGS press release that set the story in motion, "She Flies On . . . and On . . . and On: Oldest known wild bird in U.S. returns to Midway to raise chick." (If you are wondering whether Wisdom survived the recent tsunami, it has been reported that she and her chick are alive and well!)  And for a You Tube video that will hopefully make you think twice about throwing away a plastic bottle cap, see Klavitter demonstrating the tragic consequences of plastic debris in the world’s oceans in "Midway Journey II - Bottle Caps."