Never before in the institution’s 85-year history has the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s research been more important to the environmental future of Maryland, the region and the world. Truly, 2010 was a remarkable year for the Center. As environmental emergencies transpired and debates arisen, the Center’s experts answered the call and provided the science-based guidance needed to help cope with the problems at hand.
Throughout 2010, UMCES experts led the national debate on the environmental consequences of mountaintop removal mining, educated members of Congress on the potential ecosystem-wide impacts of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and worked hand-in-hand with the State of Maryland to develop a science-based blueprint for restoring the environmental and economic vitality of the Chesapeake Bay. Individually, each of these societal contributions is a great achievement. Collectively, they provide insight into the quality of UMCES scientists and our rising prominence on the national stage.
Even during these difficult economic times, the Center’s reputation for cutting-edge environmental research has allowed us to excel. Thanks to our actively engaged research faculty, the Center brought in more than $27 million in new research grants and contracts over the last fiscal year, the most in UMCES history. And during that same time, UMCES scientists published more than 150 scholarly journal articles, contributing new knowledge and understanding to the broader scientific community. Most importantly, our faculty’s dedication to fostering the next generation of environmental scientists has helped our students earn graduate degrees from partner University System of Maryland institutions.
While 2010 was truly a remarkable year, it was just a stepping stone to a brighter future. To ensure the Center continues to flourish as one of the nation’s leading environmental research institutions, we expanded our facilities at the Horn Point Laboratory with the opening of a new $11 million Shellfish Cultivation Facility and broke ground on a state-of-the-art Environmental Information Center. We began the replacement of our historic research pier at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory and expanded our research enterprise with the addition of faculty members at the Baltimore-based Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology. These center-wide advancements will allow the Center to thrive in coming years.
Last year set a new high-water mark for the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Even during the most challenging of times, the Center rose to the top, proving that science, ingenuity and passion for discovery still has the potential to lead us to a brighter tomorrow.
Related Links:
- UMCES 2010 Annual Report: Remarkable Science for a Remarkable Time
