Heather Maicom ECO/OCUS CARY INSTITUT E f O F ECOSYSTEM STUDIES The science behind environmental solutions Vol. 4, Issue 2, May 2010 CARY ECOLOGISTS HELP PROTECT ECOLOGICALLY CRITICAL SHORES OF THE HUDSON RIVER by Lisa M. Dellwo Sometimes, scientists have the opportunity to help create a new field of study. Sometimes, they have the opportunity to help the public. On rare occasions, they can do both. That's what senior scientists Drs. David Strayer and Stuart Findlay are doing. Several years ago, Strayer found himself in a meeting of Hudson River stakeholders in which it was clear that engineers and land planners were interested in hearing from ecologists about what type of shoreline design would best support ecological function. "And we didn't have an answer," says Strayer. While ocean shore zones are heavily studied by ecologists, the shores of rivers and lakes are not. Along with Findlay, Strayer launched a two- pronged approach to this knowledge gap: an exhaustive review of scientific literature and hands-on measurements at eighteen study sites along the Hudson River, some of which were in their natural state and some of which had been altered by seawalls, wooden bulwarks, or the rocky armor known as rip rap. Both their analysis of prior research and their measurements of fish, plants, and physical features confirmed that shore zones that are complex and heterogeneous — whether natural or human-built — are more ecologically active than those, for instance, with vertical metal seawalls. Natural shorelines support diverse populations of fish, waterfowl, and native plants that we harvest or that contribute to tourism or recreation. Natural shores remove chemicals that move from land to water and that can damage aquatic life, and they prevent erosion by absorbing the terrific energy of waves and currents. Earlier this year, Strayer and Findlay published their findings in the scientific journal Aquatic Sciences (available for free at http://www.springerlink.com/ content/ 1 4 75 26m 7 1 34 j nt48/fulltext . pdf). By showing the state of knowledge and where gaps in our understanding remain, the paper will contribute to the establishment of a scientific field of freshwater shoreline ecology. But just as important for Strayer and Findlay is the ability to affect how shore zones are managed on the Hudson River, where at least half of the shoreline has been altered without consideration to ecological impact. Retaining walls designed to protect life and property were built of concrete "We can work with the people driving the bulldozers to improve ecological function." or vertical steel, says Strayer, and "no one was in the room worrying about ecological function." Both Strayer and Findlay are in the room now, bringing their results to government and nonprofit organizations that they occasionally advise, including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and local land stewardship groups. Those groups are now interested in hearing from ecologists, says Findlay. "If they didn't listen, we wouldn't stay involved with them." Ecological function is now a powerful factor in deciding what sorts of new modifications will be permitted. In addition, opportunities exist for "do- overs" on existing shoreline structures that are failing. "We can work with the people driving the bulldozers to improve ecological function," says Strayer. Explaining what is satisfying to him about this project, he adds, "It's not just the pure science." HIGHLIGHTS • From the President's Desk • 3 # Young Environmental Scientists, • Earth Day Talk 4; * Spotlights 5 . Pharmaceutical Compounds, • Kestrel Boxes A • Supporters' Corner, ^ * Lovejoy Delivers Lecture £ 7 * Event Calendar CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES 2 ECOfOCUS Ecofocus is published by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Our scientists are leading efforts to understand human impacts on air and water quality, climate change, invasive species, and the ecological dimensions of infectious disease. As an independent, not- for-profit organization, the Cary Institute pro- duces unbiased research that leads to more effective management and policy decisions. PRESIDENT: William H. Schlesinger, Ph.D. WRITER & EDITOR: Lori M. Quillen Address newsletter correspondence to: Communications Office Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Box AB Millbrook, NY 1 2545 E-mail: QuillenL@caryinstitute.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Bradford S. Gentry, Chair Irene W. Banning, Vice Chair Steven M. Benardete, Vice Chair Jerry M. Melillo, Ph.D., Vice Chair Sallie W. Chisholm, Ph.D., Secretary John E. Rorer, Treasurer William H. Schlesinger, Ph.D., President Tim Bontecou J. Barclay Collins Geoffrey W. Dann Rodolfo Dirzo, Ph.D. Dan Gabel Edith W. Kean Gretchen Long, Past Chair & Honorary Trustee Thomas E. Lovejoy, Ph.D. Mark Masselink Robert Quinlan Paul G. Risser, Ph.D. Past Chair & Honorary Trustee Allan P. Shope Elizabeth Farran Tozer Julia Widdowson FROM OUR PRESIDENT Dear Friends of the Cary Institute: As the weather warms up, we begin thinking about water: drinking water to stay hydrated during outdoor activities; water to encourage our gardens to grow; and water as a source of recreation for fishing, swimming, and boating. Only three percent of the water on the Earth's surface is fresh water, and two- thirds of that is ice. We tend to take water for granted, but the Earth's supplies of fresh water are not infinite, nor are they guaranteed to be potable: when Lisa and I traveled to India recently, we were warned to use only bottled water for drinking and brushing our teeth, even in the nicer hotels. Rising human population means that water will become an even more crucial resource. That's one reason so much research at the Cary Institute is focused on water. As the summer research season commences, scientists, postdoctoral associates, and visiting students will be found in rubber boots and hip waders, or sampling water from kayaks or other boats in nearby waterways. Our research examines the role of water in ecological processes, the influence of invasive species on aquatic food chains and water quality, and the growing problem of Rising human population means that water will become an even more crucial resource. That's one reason so much research at the Cary Institute is focused on water. pharmaceuticals and other chemicals in streams and other waterways. Regional field sites include the Hudson River and its tributaries, such as Wappinger Creek. Our scientists are also investigating lakes in New Hampshire, irrigation ditches in the Midwest, the watershed of metropolitan Baltimore, and fog in South America. Our research, which is funded by government and nonprofit agencies as well as individuals, contributes to a greater understanding of what controls the sources, quality, and fate of fresh water. Warm weather also brings new faces to the Cary Institute. Every year, about a dozen undergraduates from across the country join us for a summer of hands-on research in the National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. We welcome them as well as casual visitors from nearby communities who walk our trails, bike our roadways, and enjoy the beauty of our campus. If you'd like to hear more about ways you can support our research and outreach programs, I invite you to contact me. Dr. William H. Schlesinger, President Lisa M. Dellwo VOL 4, ISSUE 2, MAY 2010 3 YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS GATHER AT CARY INSTITUTE ON EARTH DAY by Lisa M. Dellwo Science fairs are great tools for getting school kids interested in working like professional scientists: developing a hypothesis, testing it, and reporting results. But most science fairs are structured as competitions, with winners from school districts going on to compete in regional, state, and national events. "It's great for kids to win at science fairs," says senior scientist Dr. Gary M. Lovett, and in fact the Cary Institute annually offers an award for the best environment-related entry in the Dutchess County Regional Science Fair. This year's winner was Jack Bowmar, a sixth-grader at Dutchess Day School, who evaluated different plant materials as sources of biofuels. The down side of science fairs, Lovett says, "is that if you have winners, you also have those who feel like losers, and I'm not sure that is a good thing at that age." That's why the Young Environmental Scientists (YES) conference, which took place on April 22nd at the Cary Institute, is not a competition. Any student in grade 4-12 who had an environmentally focused science fair project is invited to attend the annual conference. Instead of competing against each other, the students present their work to at least two Cary Institute scientists. This year's participants also got to tour Cary Institute science labs and attend a lecture by Dr. Tyrone Hayes, a U.C. Berkeley scientist who studies how environmental pollutants impact amphibians. After his talk, Hayes visited the YES conference and chatted with students about their projects. This year's nineteen participants had projects on population, biofuels, wind power, solar energy, acid precipitation, and the effects of different compounds on plants. Each received a certificate from Cary Institute President Dr. William H. Schlesinger and written feedback from Cary Institute scientists. EARTH DAY TALK ON DEMASCULINIZED FROGS DR. TYRONE HAYES, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Renowned biologist Dr. Tyrone Hayes of the University of California, Berkeley, addressed a standing-room-only crowd at the Cary Institute on Earth Day as part of the Young Environmental Scientists (YES) conference. Hayes outlined his work documenting the effects of the pesticide Atrazine on frogs both in the lab and in nature. His experiments demonstrated that frogs become demasculinized in the presence of the chemical, which is used extensively as an herbicide in the U.S. but which is banned in Europe. Some male frogs develop abnormalities including multiple testes and ovaries that are never observed in animals not exposed to Atrazine. Hayes concluded his lecture by addressing the question of whether scientists should become activists, quoting Albert Einstein: "Those who have the privilege to know have the duty to act." CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES 4 STAFF NOTES HONORS FOR JONATHAN COLE Megan McLean has been hired as an education program specialist, responsible for Summer Ecology Camp and coordinating school programs. The education department is also joined this summer by two temporary staff members. Lisa Cissel is assisting with Ecology Camp and other field programs, and Katie Schneider is working on the Institute's web presence, in particular developing the online curriculum pieces on Lyme disease and earthworms, while also making existing curricula more easily searchable by teachers. Marie Smith, manager of grants administration and compliance, has been elected secretary of the northeastern section of the Society of Research Administrators. Limnologist Dr. Jonathan J. Cole has been elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). In addition, Cole has been named Distinguished Senior Scientist — a title reserved for only a very few of the Institute's senior scientists who achieve singular distinction in their scholarship. Cole, who has been at the Cary Institute since 1983, is well known for his studies of the carbon cycle and food webs in lakes and rivers. Cole joins Drs. William H. Schlesinger, Gene E. Likens, and Steward T.A. Pickett, who were previously elected members of the Academy. Founded in 1780, AAAS is one of the world's most prestigious honor societies as well as being an independent policy research center that conducts multi- disciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy's elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs. Its early members include John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. WRITER MICHAEL TENNESEN ■ SCHLESINGER REAPPOINTED VISITS CARY INSTITUTE | FOR SECOND TERM Michael Tennesen, an internationally published journalist who covers science and nature, visited the Cary Institute in mid-May, researching article ideas. This was Tennesen's second visit to the Institute. His 2008 stay resulted in several articles in Scientific American and Discover magazine that referred to the work of Cary scientists. According to Cary Institute President Dr. William H. Schlesinger, writers like Tennesen who are able to translate science for the general public are important partners for research organizations. Schlesinger is planning to create a writer- in-residence program that will provide housing and a stipend for science and nature writers who will benefit from access to scientists and contemplative surroundings in which they can launch or complete a writing project. The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies' Board of Trustees recently approved the reappointment of Cary Institute President Dr. William H. Schlesinger for a second three-year term, extending his tenure to 2013. Bradford Gentry, the Cary Institute's Board Chair, comments, "Bill has made exceptional progress positioning the Cary Institute so that it can continue building on its mission of providing the science behind environmental solutions. New staff have strengthened research programs that focus on clean water, infectious disease, and the health of forests and other natural areas. At the same time, renewed onsite programming has made the organization a destination for informing citizens, students, and decision makers about environmental issues and possible solutions." Schlesinger became the Cary Institute's second president in 2007. HELP US SAVE PAPER The Cary Institute's newsletter is available on-line on our website at www.caryinstitute.org/newsletter.html. If you would prefer to read the newsletter on-line instead of receiving a printed copy by mail please notify us at freemanp@caryinstitute.org or call (845) 677-7600 x 121. VOL 4, ISSUE 2, MAY 2010 5 PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUNDS FOUND IN WAPPINGER CREEK by Lisa M. Dellwo Water samples taken from three Wappinger Creek locations near Millbrook contained trace amounts of the painkiller acetaminophen and of carbamazepine, an anticonvulsive drug used to treat both epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Aquatic ecologist Dr. Emma Rosi-Marshall, who sampled the creek both above and below the Millbrook water treatment plant, says that the levels of these compounds in the water should not alarm us — but it's important to know that water treatment plants can't filter some pharmaceuticals and other compounds. Our bodies don't use all of the drugs, vitamins, and other compounds we consume, she says, and so they go down the toilet as part of our human waste. Other products, such as soaps and fragrances, get rinsed off in the shower or at the sink and can also get into our waterways. Rosi-Marshall is interested in exploring the impact of all of these compounds on the plants and animals that live in or near affected waterways. As part of this research program, Rosi-Marshall has also put controlled amounts of pharmaceuticals in experimental containers in Wappinger Creek in order to measure their impact on the growth of algae on these containers. This experiment is an outgrowth of research Rosi-Marshall conducted before her appointment at the Cary Institute last year. She has published papers showing that byproducts of genetically engineered crops in the Midwest appear in adjacent irrigation ditches where they affect the growth of organisms in these streams. Read "Our River on Drugs," Rosi-Marshall's EcoFocus piece from the February 14, 2010 issue of the Poughkeepsie Journal, at http://www.caryinstitute.org/ecofocus_20 1 0-02- 1 4.html. KESTREL BOXES RETURN TO CARY Four new kestrel nesting boxes have been installed on the Cary Institute grounds. Looking like oversized bluebird houses, these boxes are designed to attract breeding American Kestrels. Kestrels are small falcons that live in fields and meadows and prey on insects and small mammals. They nest in pre-existing cavities, including old woodpecker holes and crevices in buildings. Sixteen kestrel boxes were placed on Institute grounds in the early 1980s as part of a scientific research project. Those had fallen into disrepair, and although kestrels have been seen on Institute grounds, it has been uncertain whether they have been breeding here in recent years. At least one of the new boxes is already occupied. CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES 6 LOVEJOY DELIVERS INAUGURAL AMES LECTURE A WILD SOLUTION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE by Lisa M. Dellwo On April 29th, internationally acclaimed conservation biologist Dr. Thomas E. Love joy delivered the inaugural Ned Ames Honorary Lecture in the Cary Institute's auditorium. After reviewing the scientific evidence for the existence and impacts of climate change, Lovejoy proposed a "massive and ambitious" program that would use ecosystems across the globe to address greenhouse gas rise. By restoring forests and grasslands globally and managing agricultural lands appropriately, Lovejoy said, we could pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere where it causes the planet to warm. This was the first in an annual lecture series honoring Edward "Ned" Ames, a longtime friend of the Cary Institute. Until last year, Ames administered the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, which provided the primary funding for the Cary Institute and which assisted other organizations including the National Resources Defense Council and Southern Environmental Law Center. The principal from the Trust was distributed to the Cary Institute and other organizations in 2009. An anonymous donor endowed the lecture series honoring Ames for his many contributions to nonprofit organizations in conservation and environmental protection. ROBERT KENNEDY, JR., ELECTRIFIES AUDIENCE AT CARY INSTITUTE Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., addressed a spellbound audience of 150 people at the Cary Institute in February. An attorney and environmental activist who has fought to protect the Hudson River and who has currently set his sights on America's addiction to fossil fuels, Kennedy proposed the creation of a national smart grid that would deliver wind, solar, and other forms of renewable energy, saying that such an infrastructure is both doable and financially feasible. He asserted that the true costs of burning coal and oil include the impacts of acid rain, deforestation and water pollution downstream from coal plants, as well as threats to national security. Early in his remarks, Kennedy, who lives in the Hudson Valley and attended the Millbrook School, had words of praise for the Cary Institute. "The thing I've always loved about this Institute and the scientists who work here . . . they recognize that we aren't protecting the environment only for the sake of the fish and the birds, we are protecting it for our own good." Because of anticipated high interest in Kennedy's talk and the limited size of the Cary Institute's auditorium, announcements about the event were sent first to members of the Aldo Leopold Society and other donors, who reserved all available seats. After the talk, Aldo Leopold Society members were invited to a reception attended by Kennedy. Members of the Aldo Leopold Society provide vital operating support for the Cary Institute's research and education programs, and receive invitations to events throughout the year, such as the Kennedy talk and reception, as well as special opportunities to interact with the Cary Institute's educators and scientific staff. Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) was one of America's pioneering conservationists. He wrote many articles, essays, and books in his lifetime, but his greatest work was A Sand County Almanac (1949), which helped lay the foundation for the American conservation movement. Members of the Cary Institute's Aldo Leopold Society share his commitment to conservation and responsible land management. John Halpern VOL 4, ISSUE 2, MAY 2010 CALENDAR Upcoming Public Programs Our Weekend Ecology Programs are a terrific way to interact with our staff and to learn about ecological concepts while exploring our grounds. For more information contact Pamela Freeman at (845) 677-7600 x 121 or freemanp@caryinstitute.org Tuesday, June 1 st, 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Gasland Documentary Film Join Director Jeff Fox for a screening of Gasland, his prize winning film exploring the health and environmental risks associated with natural gas drilling. To be shown in our auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook, N.Y. Sunday, June 27th, 1 0 a.m. - 1 2 noon Butterfly Adventure Learn about butterfly and skipper habitat while strolling through our fields and trails. Programs will be offered for adults and children (6 and up). Meet at the Gifford House, 2917 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook, N.Y. Friday, July 9th, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. A Forum on Opportunities in Ecology Hear firsthand about a wide range of career paths in ecology, including but not limited to media, education, museum science, environmental law, and governmental research. The morning session will include speakers representing each field. Informal discussions will follow in the afternoon session. Registration required for the morning session. Call Patti Zolnik at (845) 677-7600 x 326. Friday, July 9th, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Wappinger Creek Week Walk Join us for an interpretive walk along the Wappinger Creek. Explore a wetland habitat and sample creek macro-invertebrates. This family-friendly walk will begin at the Gifford House, 2917 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook, N.Y. Wear sturdy shoes. Friday, July 30th, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Bringing Nature Home Douglas W. Tallamy will discuss methods of turning your property into a sanctuary for wildlife by utilizing native plants. Copies of his book, Bringing Nature Home, will be available for purchase. The talk will take place in our auditorium located at 2801 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook, N.Y. Sunday, August 8th, 1 2 noon - 2 p.m. GPS Scavenger Hunt Younger visitors will go on a trail walk and look for items of interest using their observation skills. Kids 10 and up will be invited to use handheld global positioning systems (GPS) to discover items hidden on the Cary Institute's grounds. GPS receivers will be provided; no prior experience necessary. To ensure we have enough equipment, please RSVP by calling (845) 677-7600 x 1 21 . Wear sturdy shoes. The program will begin at the Gifford House, 2917 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook, N.Y. Friday, August 20th, 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. The Weather of the Future Heidi Cullen, Director of Science Communications for Climate Central, will talk about her new book, The Weather of the Future: Heat Waves, Extreme Storms, and Other Scenes from a Climate Changed Planet. Books will be available for purchase.The talk will take place in our auditorium located at 2801 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook, N.Y. For a complete listing of upcoming events and programs visit our website at www.caryinstitute.org/ events.html. Ways to Support the Cary Institute Supporters receive an Ecofocus subscription and e-mail notification when we hold open lectures and events. Aldo Leopold Society Members are a special part of the Cary Institute family. Exclusive privileges include access to invitation-only lectures, receptions, and science updates. Friends of the Cary Institute □ $50 Individual □ $100 Family □ $250 Contributor □ $ Other Aldo Leopold Society Membership For those who want to invest in understanding the natural world. □ $500 Member □ $5,000 Benefactor □ $750 Ambassador Q$1 0,000 Director □ $1,000 Patron ^$25,000 President's Circle □ $2,500 Leader Name: E-mail: Address: Phone: Payment Type: □ Check □ VISA □ Mastercard Credit Card # Exp: Make checks payable to: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Development Office Box AB Millbrook, NY 12545 Questions or comments? Please call (845) 677-7600 x203 • ' • . ' _ • Tfoi 7 t Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Box AB (2801 Sharon Turnpike) Millbrook, NY 1 2545 Tel: (845) 677-5343 • Fax: (845) 677-5976 Visit us online at www.caryinstitute.org => 0 >- CHUBB FUNDING z The Chubb Group of Insurance < Companies has donated $ 1000 to X I— the Cary Institute to support i < scholarships enabling four or five u qualified youngsters to attend CL. UO Ecology Day Camp this summer. < FUN AND EDUCATION COMBINED, AT CARY INSTITUTE SUMMER ECOLOGY CAMP Registration is open for Ecology Day Camp at the Cary Institute. Seven weeklong and two three-day sessions are being offered this year, beginning in late June and running through August. This year's theme is Aliens in Our Midst: Investigating Invasive Species. Ecology Camp gives children entering grades two through seven a unique opportunity to experience ecological science with our ecology educators and research scientists. They conduct outdoor investigations and participate in related crafts and games. Older kids can apply to be Youth Eco-Leaders and assist in camp instruction and data collection. For more information, contact Megan McLean at (845) 677-7600 x 190 or email mcleanm@caryinstitute.org. A limited number of scholarships are available based on demonstrated need. You can also download a registration form at www. caryinstitute.org/ed_eco_camps.htmI.