NYC Audubon Lecture and Book Signing: SALT MARSHES: A Natural and Unnatural History, Judith Weis, PhD

This lecture will be an exploration of the natural history of marsh plants and marsh animals, and the "unnatural history" of how humans have altered and damaged marshes physically, chemically, and biologically. Additionally, the presentation will focus on marsh restoration and describe how in just a few decades, the Hackensack Meadowlands has changed from a severely degraded habitat into a marsh that is home to increasing biodiversity and a haven for birders and ecotourism. Co-author of the recently published book, SALT MARSHES, Dr. Judith S. Weis is a professor of biological sciences at Rutgers University and an expert on estuarine biology. SALT MARSHES: A Natural and Unnatural History will be available for purchase at the lecture.

Please contact Erik Karff at 212.691.7483 for interviews and/or high resolution photographs

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Judith S. Weis is a professor in the department of biological sciences at Rutgers University, Newark. An expert on estuarine biology, she is past president of the American Institute of Biological Sciences, and frequently serves as a consultant to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Carol A. Butler is the coauthor of Do Butterflies Bite? Fascinating Answers to Questions about Butterflies and Moths, Do Bats Drink Blood? Fascinating Answers to Questions about Bats, and forthcoming books in the Rutgers Animal Q&A series on bees, hummingbirds, and raptors.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
“Judith S. Weis and Carol A. Butler put salt marshes into a broad environmental context. With chapters on marshland species, pollution, and restoration, this book is both valuable and encompassing for anyone interested in the future of salt marshes.”
—John M. Teal, scientist emeritus, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

“In an accessible and sophisticated manner, Salt Marshes draws on extensive ‘local knowledge’ and a thorough grasp of much broader scientific literature to show the impact of humans on marshes and estuaries. This book is an important contribution to popular writing on coastal systems.”

—R. Scott Warren, Tempel Professor of Botany Emeritus, Connecticut College

“Judith S. Weis and Carol A. Butler have created a clear, wide-ranging, nontechnical explanation of salt marshes that will engage readers at every level of knowledge. Coastal residents, biology students, environmental planners, consultants, and naturalists should read this book.”

—Erik Kiviat, executive director, Hudsonia Ltd.