As the 2021 legislative session in Hawai’i wrapped up last month, the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources is heralding the work as a “banner year for natural and cultural resources protection” according to a recent press release. School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, at the time simply School of Marine Affairs, alumnus David Tarnas ’85 led the work as the Chair for the House Water and Land Committee. 

The 74 finalists selected for the 2022 Knauss Fellowship Program organized by NOAA and Sea Grant, were announced publicly last week, and the list includes School of Marine and Environmental Affairs alumna Alanna Greene ’21.
Finalists will be placed in federal government offices in Washington, DC beginning in February 2022. The full list of finalists and information on the fellowship can be viewed here. 

Why did you decide to pursue a Master of Marine Affairs?

I’ve always had an interest in the environment and environmental justice, but I was returning to school after 10 years away and thought my undergraduate degree (aerospace engineering) wouldn’t be suited to the biology-intensive environmental programs. Simply, I was nervous about whether there was a spot for me in the environmental science community. 

A trio of recent publications feature a host of School of Marine and Environmental Affairs affiliates, and cover a wide array of topics. This is a good snapshot of the breadth of topics and material addressed through SMEA research and coursework.
Recent graduate Tressa Arbow ’19 was on a team of authors including Affiliate Professor Eddie Allison, which addressed the lagging change toward healthy and sustainable food sources. 

When the UW launched Husky Giving Day, a 24-hour period for Huskies everywhere to reconnect with the institution, SMEA agreed to participate primarily as a chance to touch base with recent alumni. With support from the College of the Environment’s Advancement team, SMEA Director Nives Dolšak penned an email to almost 600 recent MMA alumni.
The outreach featured an invitation to participate in Husky Giving Day, and an opportunity to reconnect with SMEA by offering to mentor or meet with prospective and current students, work with faculty as a guest presenter, offer presentations, or join in on SMEA-hosted events. 

Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago, we congratulated our 2021 SMEA graduates. As summer arrives to Pacific Northwest with some record-breaking temperatures, SMEA is busy with projects. Rising second-year students and faculty have turned to their research. Some faculty are planning their studies in California and Alaska, others in Mexico, Japan, Brazil, Europe, and Bangladesh. And, many are staying in the Pacific Northwest, studying our natural resources, ecosystems, and communities. 

Though the 2020-2021 academic year was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, SMEA students were undeterred. This academic year, 26 students will have received their Master’s of Marine Affairs. The Class of 2021 was in a unique position to have experienced a portion of their graduate studies in-person, while turning to virtual learning in the Spring 2020 quarter.
Despite the distance imposed on SMEA students, this cohort was able to make significant contributions and maintain the academic rigor expected for the degree, all while getting creative in forging social connections. 

Stan and Alta Barer Professor of Sustainability Science, Dr. Nives Dolšak offered her expertise and insights to NBC News in their review of the climate pledge made by global business giant Amazon. Dolšak’s work on climate neutrality and global climate change policies has been featured across many outlets, and in the wake of Amazon’s climate pledge announcement, she has been interviewed and consulted on what the pledge means, its efficacy, and how it shifts the landscape for private business. 

The National Center for Atmospheric Research has named SMEA Professor Cleo Woelfle-Erskine, to its Early Career Faculty Innovator Program, as was recently featured in UW News.
The designation comes with a $400,000 award and Woelfle-Erskine is among the new program’s second cohort, working with School of Environmental and Forest Sciences doctoral student Sofi Courtney.
The Faculty Innovator Program aims to support faculty researchers in the social, policy and behavioral sciences and graduate students for two years as they develop interdisciplinary research projects in partnership with the center. 

The School of Marine & Environmental Affairs will hold its next faculty meeting on Thursday, June 3, 12:00 – 1:10 pm. Please see below for details on how to join;
Zoom Online Meeting
https://washington.zoom.us/j/98826108709 
Meeting ID: 988 2610 8709
Dial In
1-206-337-9723
A copy of the meeting agenda can be found here. Please contact Jackie Chapman (jachap@uw.edu) with any questions or for more information.