march 29, 2024
Conservation Science in Policy and Practice
Whitney Clark
Executive Director, Friends of the Mississippi River
Abstract
The Mississippi River is one of the great rivers of the world and a complex ecosystem of global significance. It's also our hometown river and the heart of a cultural landscape that has, for generations, held great meaning for residents of this place from many cultures.
This lecture will explore how conservation sciences are being used by advocates and practitioners to improve the health of the Mississippi River. How is research on invasive carp biology from the U of M Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) being used to inform advocacy on carp management at the State Capitol? Could the development of novel crops by researchers the U of M Forever Green Initiative be a key innovation in the effort to drive down greenhouse gas emissions while also sharply reducing agricultural pollution of our ground and surface waters? How are restoration ecologists incorporating research experiments into their natural resource management plans to advance the science of restoration?
These cases offer examples of how conservation science is being applied to inform and animate environmental policy and practice here in Minnesota.
Biosketch
For more than 35 years Whitney has worked to improve Minnesota’s environment as a staff member for several environmental organizations. During his 27-year tenure as executive director, he has led FMR’s growth from a start-up group with one full-time employee to one of Minnesota’s largest and most effective conservation organizations with a staff of 25. Whitney has extensive experience in environmental policy, lobbying, advocacy and education campaigns and partnership building around environmental and social justice issues. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Minnesota. Whitney also teaches environmental policy as an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Thomas. In 2017 Whitney was honored to receive the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Transformational Leader Award which recognizes an experienced nonprofit leader who has demonstrated success working across boundaries to develop transformational solutions.