Noted Quantitative Population Ecologist to Deliver Global Environmental Change Lecture at NC State

Posted on March 28, 2014 by

Dr. Barry Brook, the Australian Research Council Future Fellow III, Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change, and Director of Climate Science for The Environment Institute at the University of Adelaide in South Australia will deliver the inaugural Global Environmental Change Lecture at NC State University -“Power to save nature? The role of nuclear energy and ‘techno-fixes’ in conserving climate and ecosystems.”

The lecture will be held at the David Clark Labs on the NC State campus on April 8, 2014 from 4-5pm. (parking in the Dan Allen deck) and is open to the public.

Fossil fuels have supplied most of society’s energy demand for over two centuries. Yet, with the mounting problems of climate change, pollution, security and dwindling supplies, we now face the need for a near-total transformation of the world’s energy systems.

The talk will provide a critical overview of the challenges in—and potential solutions for—completely ‘decarbonzing’ our energy supplies, while also meeting the growing need for increased prosperity in the developing world.

It will be argued that of the options available, it is next-generation nuclear power and related technologies, based on modular systems with full fuel recycling and inherent safety, that offer the best chance of curing our fossil-fuel addiction.

Solving the ‘energy problem’ will not just help in mitigating climate change. It will also avoid destructive use of natural and agricultural landscapes for biofuels and diffuse energy generation, and allow societies to reduce their ‘footprint’ by sparing land and resources for biodiversity conservation

About Dr. Brook:

An innovative quantitative population ecologist, began his career studying how genetic variability affects the persistence of small populations. Since then his efforts have proliferated in many directions, with novel applications of simulation and statistical modeling to understand synergistic impacts on the biosphere. Read his blog>>

The NC State Global Environmental Change Lecture Series is organized by NC State College of Natural Resources professor L. Scott Mills and co-sponsored by the Southeast Climate Science Center.

Learn more about the NC State Global Change Forum>>

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Dr. Brooks will also deliver the weekly Forestry & Environmental Resources Seminar on April 7, 2014 from 3:30-4:30pm in Room 434 of Daniels Hall at NC State.
The topic is “Tipping Points and Metamodels: Forecasting and Abating Aggregate Human Impacts on Biodiversity”

People First Tourism is subject of WCOM radio program

Posted on March 28, 2014 by

NC State Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management professor Duarte Morais and two of People First Tourism’s micro-entrepreneurs were guests on WCOM-FM 103.5 (Chapel-Hill-Carboro Public Radio).

In the interview, broadcast on March 26, 2014, the guests discussed with host Lee Anne McClymont the evolution and impact of this innovative program. P1T uses web to cell technology to empower entrepreneurs to shape their future and creates dignified and sustainable livelihoods Glocally.

Listen to the WCOM podcast>> The interview starts at 2:44.

Learn more about People First Tourism P1T Website>> P1T Facebook>>

North Carolina’s Arbor Day Celebration 2014

Posted on March 5, 2014 by rwgonzal

The public is invited to participate in North Carolina’s 2014 Arbor Day Celebration to be held at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, March 22, 2014, from 10am to 2pm. The NC State University Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources will host the fun event again this year, featuring many exhibits, a tree seedling give-away, and hands-on activities for whole family.

Arbor Day is celebrated in state observances across the country to demonstrate our appreciation of trees. According to the NC Forest Service website, the NC state legislature ratified a bill in 1967, stating in part, “Whereas, it is desirable that the planting of seedlings and flowering shrubs be encouraged to promote the beautification and conservation of the vast and varied resources of North Carolina, and whereas the designation of a particular day each year as Arbor Day would encourage and draw attention to a concerted effort by North Carolinians to beautify and conserve the state’s resources by planting young trees and shrubs.”

In honor of that spirit, several organizations will be on hand at North Carolina’s Arbor Day Celebration to share information and materials about how trees enhance the quality of life for us all. In cooperation with the Society of American Foresters’ Triangle Chapter and NC State Student Chapter, 1500 tree seedlings will be distributed to the public. The winner of the state’s Arbor Day Photo Contest will be announced and presented with their award at 1:30pm. Smokey Bear is sure to make a visit and a children’s activity area is also in the works.

North Carolina’s Arbor Day Celebration is free and open to the public. For more information, visit go.ncsu.edu/arborday2014.

Visit the 2013 NC Arbor Day Celebration Photo Gallery >>

For more information, contact:

Renee Strnad
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
North Carolina State University
Phone: 919-515-5518
renee_strnad@ncsu.edu
www.cnr.ncsu.edu/fer
go.ncsu.edu/arborday2014

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Borlaug Award Nominations Due By March 7

Posted on January 30, 2014 by

Award nominations are being accepted through March 7 for the Norman E. Borlaug Excellence in Service to Society and the Environment Award.

This award is open to all tenure-track faculty of N.C. State University and is presented annually.

Nobel Laureate Norman E. Borlaug

This year’s award will be a part of the centennial celebration of the Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug’s life and will be presented this spring in conjunction with the lecture given by the awardee. The Distinguished Lecture on Global Service to Society and Environment will be held in the fall.

The award recognizes exemplary service to the environment and society in academics, research or service through enhancing global practices, new technologies, impact on students or global communities. It is intended to recognize accomplishments and to encourage future work. Details are available at the website: http:cnr.ncsu.edu/borlaug/award.php

Faculty members from any N.C. State University college are eligible for this award, named in honor of the late Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, Nobel Laureate and father of the Green Revolution. The award and lecture are sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Natural Resources.

Award nomination packets are due March 7 and should be submitted to: Dr. Joel Pawlak, Campus Box 8001, N.C. State University.

Nomination packets should include the following:
• Nominee’s complete curriculum vitae
• Letter of support from department head, dean, associate or assistant dean or university officer
• Statement from the nominee about the impact of his or her work and future plans
• Letters of support from outside the university are encouraged, but not required. Such letters should describe the impact of the nominee’s accomplishments.

Nominations can originate from individual faculty members on their own behalf or from colleagues at any level of university administration. However, nomination packets must be submitted to the selection committee via the person writing a letter of support (see list above).

The awardee will have a chance to briefly address the audience assembled for the Borlaug Lecture and will receive an award certificate, a $1,000 prize, a gift from the selection committee and his or her name engraved on a university plaque.

For information contact Dr. John Sabella, CALS, jasabell@ncsu.edu,919.515.2665; or Dr. Joel Pawlak, CNR, jjpawlak@ncsu.edu, 919.515.2890.

NCSU Study Demonstrates Value of State Parks

Posted on January 17, 2014 by

For the third straight year attendance at North Carolina state parks and state recreation areas hovered at a record level with 14.2 million visits. Travelers spent an average of $23.56 per day to enjoy the parks. And the total economic impact of the state parks system is more than $400 million.

How do we know? Because a team of professors, grad students and undergrads in NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management have been conducting surveys across the state and analyzing the collected data since last Spring. The study was funded by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Recreation Resources Service.

The big take away for NC’s citizens and leaders?
Our state parks make a strong contribution to North Carolina’s tourism economy, as well as the economies of the local communities in which they’re located!

Learn More>>>