Cambridge, Md. (February 25, 2008) – The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has launched the Campaign for UMCES: Environmental Leadership for Maryland, an eight million dollar, five-year effort designed to increase private support for the Center. The Center kicked off the campaign by announcing the largest contribution in the institution’s history – a $750,000 challenge grant from the Baltimore-based France-Merrick Foundation.
“This campaign is a launch pad for expanding the Center’s environmental science education and Chesapeake Bay research programs,” said Board of Visitors Chairman former Governor Harry R. Hughes. “The Campaign for UMCES comes at an opportune time for helping expand society’s understanding of our natural world. Now, more than ever, we need to find solutions to the complex environmental problems we face around the globe.”
The France-Merrick Foundation gift will establish the Center’s first endowed chair. The professorship in Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration is designed to maintain Maryland’s leadership and further expand its ability to restore our ecosystems in the face of growth and climate change. It also allows the Center to attract and retain highly qualified researchers and faculty in a highly competitive environment. |
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“As the idea of environmental sustainability moves to the forefront of public policy discussion regarding the Chesapeake Bay, the new professorship will help the Center continue to be a trusted advisor to regional leaders seeking new opportunities to improve our local environment,” said UMCES President Dr. Donald F. Boesch.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is the principal research institution for advanced environmental research and graduate studies within the University System of Maryland. UMCES researchers are helping improve our scientific understanding of Maryland, the region and the world through its three laboratories – Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, and Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge – and the Maryland Sea Grant College |
