[PCA] Fwd: Press Release - Scientists to Meet with State and Federal Lawmakers

[De Angelis, Patricia]

Thought this might be of interest.

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist, Division of Scientific Authority-US Fish & Wildlife
Service-International Affairs
Chair, Medicinal Plant Working Group-Plant Conservation Alliance
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276

Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

Follow International Affairs
> on Twitter  http://twitter.com/USFWSInternatl
> on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/USFWS_InternationalAffairs


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: American Institute of Biological Sciences <publicpolicy at aibs.org>
Date: Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Subject: Press Release - Scientists to Meet with State and Federal Lawmakers
To: Patricia <patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov>



For Release, 12:00 P.M. eastern,
July 31, 2013

Contact: Julie Palakovich Carr,
jpalakovichcarr at aibs.org
 *Scientists to Meet with State and Federal Lawmakers*
*5th Annual Event Encourages Biologists to Share Science with Elected
Officials *
Washington, DC -- The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and
the Entomological Society of America (ESA) have announced the start of the *5th
Annual Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits *event. This
national initiative encourages scientists across the nation to showcase for
federal and state lawmakers the people, facilities, and equipment required
to conduct scientific research.

“Scientific innovation drives advances in agriculture, biotechnology,
environmental management, and medicine, and plays a leading role in job
creation and economic growth,” said Dr. Richard O’Grady, AIBS Executive
Director. “These meetings provide the opportunity for biologists to
demonstrate the benefits of research.”

The *5th Annual Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits* event
occurs during the month of August. Participating scientists meet with
elected officials and their staff at the local district office or a
research facility.

“Biological science, and insect biology in particular, is important to
federal and state decision-making,” said David Gammel, ESA Executive
Director. “Entomological research helps us control invasive species,
improve agriculture, preserve biodiversity, and prevent disease.”

This year a record number of scientists will participate. Individuals from
34 states plan to meet with their elected officials. Participants range
from graduate students to senior researchers and educators.

The *5th Annual Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits* are made
possible by AIBS and ESA, with support from event sponsors: American
Society of Naturalists, Botanical Society of America, Harvard Museum of
Comparative Zoology, Natural Science Collections Alliance, Organization of
Biological Field Stations, and Society for the Study of Evolution.

“This is a great opportunity to share the importance of science with our
elected leaders,” said Dr. Christopher Pickett, a participant in the 2011
event. “My experience meeting with Senator Claire McCaskill inspired me to
remain engaged in science policy.” Pickett is now a Science Policy Fellow
with the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Individuals in the 2013 event participated in an interactive training
webinar. The program provided information about how best to communicate
science to non-technical audiences, tips for conducting a successful
meeting with an elected official, and information about trends in funding
for research.

More information about the *Biological Sciences Congressional District
Visits* event is available at
www.aibs.org/public-policy/congressional_district_visits.html<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=c933bab7ba&e=0fbed0ec1a>.



 # # #

The American Institute of Biological Sciences is a scientific association
dedicated to advancing biological research and education for the welfare of
society. AIBS works to ensure that the public, legislators, funders, and
the community of biologists have access to and use information that will
guide them in making informed decisions about matters that require
biological knowledge. For more information visit
www.aibs.org<http://aibs.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=4ea3eeb743&e=0fbed0ec1a>.




- END -

*Our mailing address is:*
American Institute of Biological Sciences
1900 Campus Commons Drive. Ste 200
Reston, VA 20191

Add us to your address
book<http://aibs.us1.list-manage2.com/vcard?u=a2886d199362c2554974f78af&id=def270e561>

*Copyright (C) 2013 American Institute of Biological Sciences All rights
reserved.*
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.plantconservation.org/pipermail/native-plants_lists.plantconservation.org/attachments/20130731/9626d418/attachment.html>