Engaging with public issues
Two interesting news items today, showing the range of University of Minnesota efforts in engaging with significant public interests:
U of M contributes to the successful recovery of the bald eagle
The bald eagle has been removed from the list of threatened and endangered species. …The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine made significant contributions to that recovery and preservation effort.
Officials at the Raptor Center have played a key role in restoration programs, investigated the effects of lead poisoning, studied the incidence of chemical contamination in nestling eagles and contributed to habitat preservation. The Raptor Center has treated more than 1,600 eagles during its 30-year history and its work has been critical in providing disease surveillance in the raptor population.
Two U of M leaders to serve on the governor's Next Generation Energy board
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty ... announced his appointments to the NextGen Energy Board, including two University of Minnesota leaders. This new board was proposed by Gov. Pawlenty as part of his Next Generation Energy Initiative that puts Minnesota at the front of states leading the way toward our nation's energy future. The NextGen Energy Board will provide recommendations to the legislature and the governor about how the state can most efficiently achieve energy independence through agriculture and natural resource sustainability.
The University of Minnesota appointees are
Robert Elde,, dean of the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Sciences and the J. B. Johnston Land Grant Professor of Neuroscience in the department of neuroscience. He also chairs the executive committee of the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment. Elde is appointed as a representative of the University of Minnesota.
Rob King, professor and department head with the University of Minnesota's department of applied economics. He has conducted research on a range of issues related to farmer cooperative formation and management over the past 20 years. King is appointed as a representative of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.