Don Wilhite, professor and climatologist, has been selected to receive the 2015 Conservation Education Award from the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. The award recognizes his work to understand and educate others about climate change and its impact on Nebraska.
"It is clear that the majority of Nebraskans are anxious to learn about the implications of climate change on our state, and to move to positive action to adapt to current and ongoing changes in our climate and mitigate as much future warming as possible," Wilhite said. "The Nebraska Wildlife Federation's commitment to environmental education and fish and wildlife conservation, and their advocacy for common sense public policy in response to changes in our climate, is to be commended."
The award also recognizes Wilhite's co-authorship of "Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska," which was released in September 2014 and documents many of the key challenges that Nebraska will face as a result of climate change.
"I share this award with the co-authors of the UNL climate change report: Bob Oglesby, Deb Bathke and Clint Rowe, as well as with the many other contributors to the report," Wilhite said. "The educational efforts that have followed the release of the report in September 2014 have been a shared effort by all of the co-authors. We are all pleased with the widespread and positive response to this report."
Wilhite will be formally presented with the award at the annual Nebraska Wildlife Federation Awards Banquet on Oct. 27.
— Mekita Rivas, Natural Resources