GREENovation GMU Department of Environmental Science & Policy

Summer 2013

GREENovation

Summer 2013

GMU Department of Environmental Science and Policy

4400 University Drive, MSN 5F2

David King Hall, Room 3005

Fairfax, VA 22030-4444

(703) 993-1043

http://esp.gmu.edu/

Cover photos:

Photos taken at the Environmental Studies on the Piedmont Field Station in Warrenton,

VA. Dr. Thomas Wood, associate professor of Integrative and Interdisciplinary Studies in

the New Century College at GMU, is the director of the field station.

by Samantha Oester

June 2013

3

GREENovation Summer 2013 Contributors

Editorial staff

Samantha Oester : soester@gmu.edu

Dr. Chris Parsons: ecm-parsons@earthlink.net

Contributors

Dr. Chris Parsons: Editorial: In an Adventure with Scientists

(Page 4)

GMU Faculty, Staff Green at Mason: GHG Inventories, Recycling & Students: Initiatives and Awards (Page 6)

Jamie Simo: Undergraduate Essay: SMSC Hosts Field Ecology Course (Page 7)

GMU Students, GMU at ICCB: The 26th International Congress for Alumni & Faculty: Conservation Biology (Page 8)

Samantha Oester: News Story: Scientist advocate Dr. Tyrone Hayes

reveals the breaking point (Page 11)

4

In an Adventure with

Scientists... By Dr. Chris Parsons,

GREENovation Editor

In the UK “The pirates ! In an adventure with scientists” an animated movie by Aardman Animations (the

studio behind Wallace & Gromit) saw some success at the movie box office. The film was based by on the popu-

lar book by the same name by Gideon Defoe, which features, as the name suggests, pirates, Charles Darwin and

scientists of the Royal Society. When the movie was screened in the US however, the title was changed to “The

Pirates! Band of Misfits” because it was thought that American children would avoid a movie with scientists in.

All reference to Darwin, who was one of the main characters, was also removed from US trailers, presumably

because evolution is viewed as ‘controversial’ in the US.

Why is it science is such seen this way in the US?

Coming from the UK to live in US, I certainly noticed that science, especially biology, was not in the pub-

lic eye as much as the UK. Science content of (non-tabloid) newspapers was higher in the UK and science docu-

mentaries were considered prime time viewing in the UK. In 2007, the average viewership of the first episodes

of the David Attenborough documentary was 11.4 million viewers, or 18.9% of the UK populations [http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Earth_(TV_series)]. When the documentary aired in the US (with Sigourney Weav-

er instead of Attenborough) it received 5.72 million viewers or only 1.9% of the US population. To put that into

context, 10.2% of the US population watched the American Idol finale in 2007, making a biology-oriented docu-

mentary proportionally almost twice as popular in the UK as American Idol.

But it’s not just wildlife and the environment that attracts UK viewers. In 2011, the astronomy-oriented

documentary Wonders of the Universe (2011), presented by Royal Society physicist Brian Cox, attracted 6 mil-

lion viewers, or 9.5% of the UK population [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonders_of_the_Universe]

Even historically, the US has been less enthusiastic about scientific achievements. To give just one exam-

ple, Benjamin Franklin is known in the UK for being a member of the Royal Society. He won this accolade for his

work on electricity, and his ideas revolutionized how electricity was perceived. He introduced the idea of posi-

tive and negative charge and the flow of electricity as a the result of a gradient or ‘pressure difference’ in

charge, basically introducing the idea of potential difference, or voltage. Whereas in the US he is known firstly as

a politician, and with regards to electricity, it is his work developing lightning rods that is known. This is just the

tip of the iceberg with regards to his scientific feats, which include supporting the then hypothesis that light was

a wave against much opposition, and charging the Gulf Stream with Matthew Maury and other fundamental

EDITORIAL:

5

oceanographic observations (both practical and purely scientific). How frequently do Americans discuss this side

of Franklin?

The civics test for new US immigrants has a question about Franklin and asks for one thing he is famous

for, the “acceptable” answers include: writing “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” oldest member of the Constitutional

Convention, first Postmaster General of the United States. Groundbreaking scientist is not included. Thomas

Jefferson, as many know, had a huge interest in science, and especially advocating scientific education. So how

have we gone from a such scientifically motivated and literate founding fathers to the state where science is

almost a dirty word.

In Congress today there are 535 voting members (435 members in the House of Representatives, 100 in

the Senate). Of these, 22 representatives and 3 senators have some sort of medical degree, there is 1 engineer

in the Senate and 5 in the House of Representatives, together with three scientists (a microbiologist and 2 physi-

cists). So 34 US political leaders have some sort of scientific background of at least college-degree level, or just

6%. Thomas Jefferson said, “I can assure you, that the possession of [science] is what (next to an honest heart)

will above all things render you dear to your friends, and give you fame and promotion in your own country.” Oh,

if only. This was the case as far as Congress was concerned.

The United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology makes public distain for science

almost an art form. The committee is currently chaired by Lamar Smith (R-Texas) an infamous climate change

skeptic, as are fellow committee members Dan Benishek (R-MI), Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher

(R-CA) and Paul Broun (R-GA). The latter is particularly infamous for stating publically, “All that stuff I was taught

about evolution and embryology and Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell.”

Rep. Rohrabacher showed a stunning understanding of climate science and concern for environmental

issues by stating in a hearing on UN Climate policies, “Is there some thought being given to subsidizing the clear-

ing of rainforests in order for some countries to eliminate that production of greenhouse gases?” Past Com-

mittee members include the infamous Todd Akin, whose knowledge and understanding of female reproductive

systems was based in the middle ages. The former chair of House Science Committee, (former) Rep. Bart Gor-

don (D-TN) said that “[the current committee] see science as a liberal plot, to validate something they don’t

think is true. And climate change is a good example” (in Science 341(6141):15).

Rep. Smith recently floated the idea of the “High Quality Research Act,” which would require any re-

search receiving federal funds to go his committee. Environmental scientists across the country had a collective

shudder of fear at the idea that this science illiterate committee might make major decisions on research fund-

ing.

On a local government level, the situation is arguably worse in some states. Education committees ex-

punging climate change and evolution from textbooks aside, in 2012 North Carolina’s legislature passed a bill

that prevented the measurement of sea-level, taking a toddler’s approach to climate change – if you don’t see

the sea level rise, it is not happening.

Famous science advocate Neil DeGrasse Tyson said, “The problem in society is not kids not knowing sci-

ence. The problem is adults not knowing science. They outnumber kids 5 to 1, they wield power, they write legis-

lation. When you have scientifically illiterate adults you have undermined the very fabric of what makes a nation

wealthy and strong.” Sadly, this is all too true.

Continued on page 10

6

Fairfax County, in cooperation with GMU, pub-

lished Virginia’s first Community Greenhouse

Gas Inventory (2006-2010). Dr. Dann Sklarew

was the lead author and Mason’s prinicipal inves-

tigator for the project. The inventory was created

to provide a baseline measurement, as well as to

guide future efforts to cut these emissions. Ma-

son graduate students Maheen Aziz, Robert A.

Johnson, Ilirana Mushkolaj, Ranjay Shrestha and

Elizabeth Striano Smith contributed to the pro-

ject. The inventory can be found at:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/environment/

greenhousegas/greenhouse-gas-inventory.htm

A garden planting project featured a collabora-

tive effort with the University Police and the Child

Development Center.

AE Green designed, built, and installed a brand

new hydroponics growing unit in place of the pre-

vious Woolly Pockets in Southside. This change

will allow dining services to grow more types of

herbs in a faster, more efficient fashion.

Environmental Science and Policy graduate stu-

dent Ashley Milton received a Fulbright Award for

dissertation work on forest resilience for sustain-

ing livelihoods and ecosystem services in the Con-

go. She is working on her PhD focusing on water

resource management. Her field work in the Con-

go deals with how logging, fuel wood harvesting,

settlement creation and farming impact local

people.

The SUB I Kitchen Recycling Program was ex-

panded to now allow for the collection and recy-

cling of metals and plastics, in addition to recy-

cling of used oil and cardboard. The Office of

Housing and Residence Life added new exterior

recycling bins to enhance recycling practices.

Environmental Science and Policy graduate stu-

dent Robert Slate received a Doan Fellowship at

the Chemical Heritage Foundation for his re-

search on regulating nanomaterials. He is pursu-

ing a PhD.

ESP faculty member Dr. Allison M. Macfar-

lane was sworn in to a full five-year term on the

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and desig-

nated by President Obama to continue serving

as the agency chairman.

The ESP Department will host graduate Q&A

information session for new and returning grad-

uate students on Aug. 20, 2013, in the Show-

case to the right of Research Hall. Interested

students need to RSVP o Sharon Bloomquist at

sbloomqu@gmu.edu by August 16, 2013.

Look for information at the beginning of the Fall

2013 semester on joining the ESP Graduate Stu-

dent Association and the ESP GSA’s fun events!

Around Campus:

Green Happenings @ Mason

7

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE)

brings high school students from around the country to George Ma-

son’s Fairfax campus every summer. Once there, these delegates

have the unique opportunity of meeting and discussing environmen-

tal issues with leaders in the field during a week-long conference.

They also have the opportunity to visit some of D.C.’s best attrac-

tions, such as the National Zoo, the Smithsonian’s National Air and

Space Museum, and the National Geographic Museum.

This summer, the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conserva-

tion (SMSC), headquartered at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology

Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, hosted an additional week-

long field studies course for selected WYSE participants and other

high school applicants. The 2013 inaugural year for the field studies

week was a big success. Nineteen students attended the field ecolo-

gy course, which earned each two college credits through Mason. During the week, the students attended lectures

from SMSC faculty and SCBI staff, went on field trips to places such as Shenandoah National Park, and learned con-

servation field techniques in collaboration with a mentor.

I am extremely pleased to have been asked to mentor those

students interested in learning about bird conservation. Other topics

of study included insects, reptiles and amphibians, water quality

monitoring, mammals, and animal behavior. Students worked in

groups of two or three to come up with a research question in collab-

oration with their mentor that could be answered through the field

techniques and additional library research.

My students participated in bluebird nest box checks and

learned about purple martin conservation from Sue Garvin. Sue is an

education assistant with Friends of the National Zoo and the coordi-

nator for the bluebird and purple martin monitoring efforts at SCBI.

The students’ observations resulted in a question about the habitat

needs of various cavity-nesting birds and how best to place bird

Undergraduate Essay:

SMSC Hosts High School Students from Across the Country for Field Ecology Course

By Jamie Simo,

GMU Undergraduate Student

SMSC field studies participants learn about native birds during an early morning bird

walk. (Photo by Grascen Shidemantle)

Continued on page 10

SMSC field ecology students identify trees during a field trip to Shenandoah National

Park (Photo by Liz Hoke

8

GMU @ ICCB:

26th International Congress for Conservation Biology

Graduate student

Samantha Oester

helps hand out the

SCB Awards with

the Board of Gov-

ernors President

GMU graduate students Sarah Josway, Dana McCoskey and Ryan Richards volun-

teering for ICCB

GMU faculty Elizabeth Freeman and

graduate student Lisa LaCivita during

an ICCB poster session

GMU Environ-

mental Science

and Policy associ-

ate faculty Dr.

Chris Parsons in-

troducing a ple-

nary speaker at

ICCB

Graduate student Adrian Dahood with a

fellow volunteer at the conference regis-

tration desk

Dr. Lee Talbot delivers the

opening plenary on conserva-

tion biology's deep roots

Aumna Megan Draheim, graduate student Katheryn

Patterson, affiliate faculty Andrew Wright and graduate

student Jason O'Bryhim at the Marine Section Social

9

GMU graduate

student Christine

Gleason answer-

ing questions

about her poster

on whale watch-

ing in the Domini-

can Republic

GMU graduate student Marieke Kester after giv-

ing a presentation on scent marking of maned

wolves

PLENARY SPEACH

Talbot, L. Conservation biology’s deep roots

PRESENTATIONS

Aguirre, A. Conservation Medicine: bridging

the gaps to face transdisciplinary challenges

and integrative research in ecological health

Dutta, T., Sharma, S., Maldonado, J.E.,

Wood, T.C., Singh Panwar, H.& Seidenstick-

er, J.Using a genetic approach to test the func-

tionality of forest corridors: case study from

India

Mickelberg, J., Ballou, J., Beck, B. & Mar-

tins, A. Evaluating the transfer of genetic di-

versity from the captive to the reintroduced

population of golden lion tamarins, Leonto-

pithecus rosalia

Freeman, E., Meyer, J., Addendorf, J.,

Schulte, B. & Santymire, R. Scraping behav-

ior of black rhinos (Diceros bicornis bicornis)

is related to age and fecal progestagen metabo-

lite concentrations

Gleason, C. & Parsons, E.C.M. The conser-

vation awareness and attitudes of whale-

watching tourists in Samaná, Dominican Re-

public

Hartl, B. Why guidance is not enough: regula-

tory sideboards on recovery.

Kester, M., Huff, T., Freeman, E., Goodwin,

T. & Songsasen, N. The solitary maned wolf

uses scent signals to ensure reproductive suc-

cess.

LaCivita, L. Working landscapes in Virginia.

Parsons, E.C.M., Shah, A., Karaffa, P. &

Scott, C. 2013. It’s all in the name. Public

attitudes to the conservation of biodiversity,

habitats and charismatic-sounding species.

Sevin, J. & Grant, E. Occupancy study inves-

tigates historic hypothesis related to distribu-

tion of endangered Shenandoah salamander.

Shafer, C. Roads and grizzly bears in the

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA

Sharma, S., Dutta, D., Maldonado, J.E.,

Wood, T.C., Singh Panwar, H., & Sei-

densticker, J. Forest corridors maintain histori-

cal gene flow in a tiger meta-population in

central India.

Thornhill, J. Can new metrics help us bridge

the gap? A case study in the measurement of

scientific literature's impact on decision mak-

ing.

Wright, A. It's good to be Liked: Effective

conservation outreach in the Age of Facebook.

SYMPOSIA, WORKSHOPS & COURSES

Aguirre, A. & Mark Pokras. New directions in

conservation medicine: connecting systems,

disciplines and stakeholders for ecological

health in practice.

Bullard, K., Christen, K. & Adams, T. New

media matters: communicating conservation

research and ideas.

Hartl, B. Introduction to conservation law and

policy in the United States.

Student Activities and Events coordinated by

Katheryn Patterson with help from Chris-

tine Gleason and Jason O’Bryhim

Communications and Media Relations coordi-

nated in part by Samantha Oester

10

Editorial (continued from page 4)

Across the other side of the Atlantic, there have been

complaints about a lack of scientists in Parliament (Goldstein

2010). But even so, there was public outcry recently when

the UK government overruled scientific evidence and the

advice of scientific advisors (such as Lord Professor John

Krebs), to introduce badger culls (Brumfiel 2012) for exam-

ple, and the deliberate ignoring/downplaying of studies such

as Donnelly et al. (2006). The protests for scientific evidence

-based policy were championed by many public celebrities,

including Queen guitarist Brian May. Dr May has significant

scientific credentials himself, having a PhD and published in

Nature (Hicks et al. 1972) before going on to arguably great-

er fame via his guitar solo in Bohemian Rhapsody. Can you

imagine such a state of affairs in the US?

Isaac Asimov (1980) wrote, “There is a cult of ignorance

in the United States, and there has always been. The strain

of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding

its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the

false notion that my ignorance is just as good as your

knowledge.” Sadly, three decades later the situation has

gotten worse rather than better, especially for environmen-

tal science.

References

Asimov, I. (1980) A cult of ignorance. Newsweek (January

21): 19.

Brumfiel, G. (2012). Badger battle erupts in England. Nature

490(7420): 317–318.

Donnelly, C.A. et al. (2006) Positive and negative effects of

widespread badger culling on tuberculosis in cattle.

Nature 439(7078): 843-846.

Goldstein, S. (2010). Parliament needs members who are

scientifically literate. Nature 463: 876-877.

Hicks, T.R., May, B.H. & Reay N.K. (1972). MgI emission in

the night sky spectrum. Nature 240(5381): 401–402.

Dr. Chris Parsons is an associate professor and the under-

graduate coordinator in the ESP Department. He is the ma-

rine section president and a governor of the Society for

Conservation Biology, the program chair for the 2014 Inter-

national Marine Conservation Congress and a national del-

egate to the Scientific and Conservation Committees of the

International Whaling Commission.

Undergraduate Essay (continued from page 7)

boxes to facilitate conservation of native species.

The culmination of the week was a 15-minute

presentation from each group on preliminary research

and findings. For only having a few days to come up with

a question and do initial research, the presentations were

impressive. Topics ranged from comparing parental in-

competence in captive maned wolves with those in the

wild to the impact of white-tailed deer on the spread of

invasive plants.

The students’ enthusiasm for their projects and

what they learned was also infectious. Even when they

themselves were not presenting, the students had plenty

of questions and comments for each other. In a time

when the world is facing so many environmental crises of

which many people are either apathetic or ignorant, it

was gratifying to see young people engaged. While the

field studies week may be over for this year, I am sure

that the experience will last a lifetime. I feel privileged to

be associated with George Mason University, which,

through this program and others, is leading the way in

connecting youth with their environment.

Jamie Simo is a second-degree environmental science

and policy undergraduate student and a WYSE field

studies course mentor. She is keenly interested in en-

vironmental education and conservation.

11

BALTIMORE, MD – Dr. Tyrone Hayes is an endocrinologist, herpetologist and evolutionary biologist in the Department of Integrative Biology at the Uni-versity of California, Berkeley, where he received his doctoral degree. He earned his bachelor’s degree in evolutionary biology from Harvard. He is a world-renowned scientist, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and has been profiled by several mainstream and scientific publications. Hayes is respected for his work on the role of steroid hormones in amphibian devel-opment in the US and Africa, as well as the effects of exogenous steroids on gonadal differentiation and the potential role of endogenous steroids. Hayes, however, finds himself at the center of a highly controversial debate—a controversy which he now invites. “There’s a connection between environmental health and public health,” Hayes explained to an audience of scientists at the 26th International Congress for Conservation Biology in July. “The more I uncovered in the science, the more I realized focusing on the science is not going to produce results.” Hayes was specifically referring to a chemical in a top-selling herbicide. Atrazine, an effective and cheap herbi-cide, is a teratogen and estrogen disruptor, as evidenced by Hayes’ work with demasculinized northern leopard frogs. Atrazine is present in drinking water in several regions of the US, and Hayes asserts there is also a correlation between the concentration of atrazine and incidences of prostate and breast cancers, as well as infertility, in humans. “Ninety percent of our seeds is owned by chemical companies, like the ones that produce atrazine,” Hayes stated. “It’s a conflict of interest.” It is this research and Hayes’ public statements that have attracted the negative attention of companies like the Switzerland-based Syngenta, which produces atrazine. Atrazine is currently banned in the European Union but is still used legally in the US, with US sales driving the market for the herbicide. Syngenta has attacked Hayes publically, calling to question his research methods, results, personality and credibility as a scientist. Hayes has retaliated, using some contentious tactics, like quoting Tupac Shakur lyrics in emails to the herbicide producer, which Syngenta described as “explicit and obscene.” Hayes explained when the controversy began, he refrained from answering Syngenta’s “harassing emails, calls and statements.” He faced a scientists’ dilemma and wanted to focus on the science. But after the science continually revealed how atrazine is affecting people, and meeting some of those affected, it became clear to Hayes that this was “environmental injus-tice.” Then, Hayes’ research with amphibians revealed the effects of atrazine was lasting through generations. Second and third generations of frogs, who were never directly exposed to atrazine, were displaying negative consequences of generation one’s exposure. “I chose to focus on my research…but then I looked at my daughter, my little girl,” he said. “I thought, my grand-children could be affected by chemicals we’re exposed to today. That’s when I became an advocate.” Hayes thought who better to lead the charge than the scientist who has worked intimately on the research and can speak intelligently and knowledgeably about the subject. Hayes continues to be the spotlight of smear campaigns by chemical companies and factory-based agricultural corpora-tions. And he persists, with research, speeches, articles, public talks, lectures and interesting emails to Syngenta. Although atra-zine is still used in the US, atrazine manufacturers are on the receiving end of multiple lawsuits as a result of Hayes’ work. Hayes asked, “As scientists, when we see things like this, how can we sit by and not be advocates?”

Samantha Oester is a former journalist and policy analyst, now a GMU ESP graduate student. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section as the communications officer.

News Story:

Scientist Advocate Tyrone Hayes Reveals the Breaking Point

By Samantha Oester, GREENovation Editor

Dr. Tyrone Hayes delivers the keynote speech during a panel discussion on the role of scientists in advocacy during ICCB 2013 in Baltimore, MD.

(Photo by Samantha Oester)

The Environmental Studies on the Piedmont is a private research, education and

conservation organization headquartered on a 914 acre field station in the

Northern Piedmont. With upland forest, meadow, wetland, vernal pool, stream,

pond and small lake habitats, it is a rich resource for indigenous plant and wild-

life studies. The field station has been home to several GMU graduate student

research projects, studies and volunteer work.