SMEA Professor of Practice Phil Levin has been appointed to the White House! The Biden-Harris administration has announced Phil’s appointment as director of the inaugural United States National Nature Assessment (NNA). The NNA uses an interdisciplinary lens to review the impact of nature on everyday human life. An assessment is tentatively scheduled for release in 2026. During this appointment, Phil will pause his teaching and advising responsibilities within SMEA. Phil will resume his position in SMEA in 2026. Although we are sad to lose his insight during this time, please join us in wishing him luck in this new role.

More information is available in the UW News Blog here. A related post in TNC Washington is also available.