Appalachian Laboratory researcher Dr. Edward Gates has been honored by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science with its President's Award for Science Application.
Gates' work has detailed biodiversity throughout natural areas in Western Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region.
"For more than three decades at the Appalachian Laboratory, Dr. Gates' research has provided our region's leaders a solid scientific foundation for managing, conserving and protecting our natural areas for future generations," says Center President Donald Boesch. "In addition to his research, Dr. Gates' dedication to grooming students into our next generation of environmental scientists is unmatched by any of his peers."
Gates' recent research has examined environmental issues throughout the region, including wildlife impacts at potential wind energy sites, the effects of cellular towers on birds and bats in the District of Columbia's Rock Creek Park, and how bats use Western Maryland's abandoned mines as habitat. His findings will help guide future use of these areas with respect to minimizing impact on the region's wildlife.
"With growth and development expected to increase in the future, it's important that we better understand its possible impacts on Western Maryland's wildlife," said Appalachian Laboratory Director Robert Gardner. "We are fortunate to be able to refer to Dr. Gates' lifelong body of research to see how past decisions have changed our environment and then turn that information into policies that minimize environmental harm in the future."
The President's Award for Science Application was established in 1999 to honor exemplary service that has an impact upon the state of Maryland.
