ALWRI scientists meet with USDA Under Secretary Wilkes

June 8, 2022: The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resource and Environment (NRE), Dr. Homer Wilkes, and his staff visited Missoula and met with members of the Rocky Mountain Research Station. As part of the visit, research scientists from the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute (ALWRI) and others were invited to present on and discuss priority science. ALWRI scientists shared two projects with the Under Secretary and his team—one focused on climate change and wilderness (led by Dr. Sean Parks) and one focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in wilderness (led by Dr. Lauren Redmore). Both projects have received considerable interest and support from the wilderness community and beyond. The Under Secretary and his staff were excited to learn about our work and expressed interest in how ALWRI and its partners are advancing wilderness stewardship, though science, across the United States.

Photos: (1) ALWRI scientist, Sean Parks, presents his work on climate change and wilderness to Under Secretary Wilkes. (2) RMRS Station Director, Monica Lear, and ALWRI scientist, Lauren Redmore, discuss Lauren's work on DEI in wilderness with Under Secretary Wilkes.