Gov. Jim Doyle will be the first recipient of a prestigious award given by the nation's largest group of ecologists at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America on August 3. The award recognizes a regional or local policymaker who has an outstanding record of informing their political decision-making with ecological science.
"We are pleased to honor a public figure that has a sharp appreciation for local and global ecological issues and works to use sound ecological science to inform decisions at the state level and beyond," said ESA President Norm Christensen.
In his five years as governor, Doyle has demonstrated his commitment to ecological and environmental policy issues through his initiatives within Wisconsin and in collaboration with other states. As part of a task force centered on invasive species, he has more than tripled funding for local grants to fight aquatic invasive species within the state. In January, Doyle dedicated $6 million to purchase ballast water filtration systems to strengthen the harbors in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Lake Superior. Doyle serves as chairman of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, which works to update and improve the region's water management regime.
Doyle has also created task forces on energy efficiency and renewable energy, including the Clean Energy Wisconsin Initiative, launched in March 2008. This comprehensive plan secured Wisconsin as national leader in environmental policy by promoting investments in renewable energy, creating "green" jobs and improving energy efficiency.
For more information about the award and the 2008 ESA Annual Meeting, visit www.esa.org .