Memoirs of an Environmental Science Professor

Description

This book shows, through real and current examples from the field of environmental and wetland science, that personal and professional success depends on persistence and a refusal to compromise on "doing the right thing" which for Professor Mitsch meant saving some of the world’s most important ecosystems, as well as educating future researchers and the general public along the way. Case studies described in this book illustrate that persistence pays off especially when the cause is motivated by something as important as improving our natural environment. They explain clearly that success is not easy, disasters and failures are part of the process, but having goals result in meaningful steps toward it. Features Emphasizes how it is possible to develop long-term goals and persistence for success both in the academic and environmental world. Offers examples set in universities across America and highlights important national wetlands such as the Florida Everglades, the Kankakee River Marshlands in the Great Lakes region, and Ohio’s Olentangy River Wetland Park, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Speaks to scientists from across the country and the world. Discusses chronologically the developments and the achievements of environmental /wetland fields on a global scale. Explains how his personal achievements contributed to the growth of wetland and environmental sciences. Students and professionals in the physical and biological sciences, including chemistry, environmental science, ecological fields, and environmental policy, and especially environmental consultants such as scientists, managers, and engineers, will feel a sense of camaraderie with Professor Mitsch. His longstanding career and devotion to environmental and wetland sciences are an inspiration to all who currently work in the field, aspire to, or simply harbor a sense of appreciation about the natural world and want to learn more about steps that can be taken to manage and protect our planet and the environment. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Foreword I Foreword II Preface–Life as a Wetlands Warrior Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Supporting Interdisciplinary Environmental Science in a Large Midwestern University 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Starting an interdisciplinary wetland ecology program at The Ohio State University 1.3. Emergence of a Ph.D. program in Environmental Science at Ohio State 1.4. Principles and current status of OSU’s current Environmental Science Graduate Program References Appendix 1.A 2. Supporting Recognition of Appalachia’s Forgotten Superhighway, the Ohio River 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Working on the Ohio River after college graduation 2.3. Getting into an environmental career 2.4. Returning to the Ohio River Valley 2.5. Starting an Ohio River Basin Consortium 2.6. An international conference in Louisville that changed my career 2.7. Our “Boatload of Knowledge” trip down the Ohio River 2.8. A River Keeper Award 2.9. Current status of the Ohio River References 3. Using Ecological Economics to Settle a Civil War between Indiana and Illinois on the Kankakee River Marshlands 3.1. The Great Kankakee Marshlands 3.2. Our study estimating the value of Kankakee River Wetlands 3.2.1. Momence wetland functions and values 3.2.2. Replacement valuation 3.2.3. Energy analysis 3.3. Continuing efforts to restore the Kankakee Wetlands 3.4. How our ecological economic research 40 years ago stopped a civil war References 4. Developing the Principles of Ecological Engineering and Water Management with China 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Ecological engineering for treatment of riverine wastewater with water hyacinths 4.3. Ecological engineering with salt marsh plantations 4.4. Long-term collaboration with East China Normal University 4.5. Investigating the ecological balance of Chinese fishponds 4.6. Recent collaborations with Chinese ecology and wetland programs 4.6.1. Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China 4.6.2. Other enjoyable ventures to Chinese meetings and labs References 5. Using Wetland Science to Support Federal Protection of Wetlands as “Waters of the United States” 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Wetland delineation and delineation manuals 5.3. Vice President Dan Quayle’s White House Council on Competitiveness 5.4. New wetland-threatening bills from Congress in 1995 5.5. Update on the 2020 Trump water rule References 6. Reconnecting Rivers to Their Floodplains 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Southern Illinois floodplain wetlands 6.3. The Des Plaines River Wetland Demonstration Project References 7. Battling for a Campus Where Students Can Soak Up Knowledge 7.1. Why wetlands? 7.2. History of the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park 7.2.1. What came first 7.2.2. An explosion of media attention 7.2.3. The vision 7.2.4. OSU’s wetland park development 1990–2012 7.3. International recognition 7.4. Teaching 7.5. Tours/public seminars 7.6. ORWRP’s impact on wetland science, ecological engineering, and regional development 7.7. Nightmare ends the dream References Appendix 7.A Appendix 7.B 8. Restoring the Florida Everglades 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Water quality and the Florida Everglades 8.3. Working with water management contracts in Florida 8.4. Working for the friends of the Everglades on an EAA Reservoir review 8.5. History of this project after six years References 9. Heaven to Hell and Back: From My Best Semester Ever to COVID Pandemic and Back 9.1. Introduction 9.2. My best year ever 9.3. A midwestern ecology tour for visiting Polish professors in summer 2019 9.4. A sea turtle movie success 9.5. The rest of the story Where are we now? References Index