IGERT Story
IGERT Retreat at the University of Puerto Rico
Dr. Brad Weiner addresses attendees
Description
On January 12, 2012, the IGERT Program at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus hosted the IGERT Retreat where representatives from federal and state government agencies as well as from environmental NGO’s explored with faculty and students ways to bridge gaps between academia, government and the third sector. Possible strategies and collaborations for ongoing and future projects were discussed in a “speed-date” format, with each representative reviewing discussion highlights at the end. The activity started at 8:30 AM with a “meet and greet” sessioned, with formal works commencing at 9:00 AM and ending at 1:00 PM.
Dr. Sheila Ward, Special Assistant to the Dean at the College of Natural Sciences, UPR and Colibrí Sanfiorenzo-Barnhard, IGERT Program Coordinator, organized this activity.
Agency/NGO participants included:
A. U.S. FEDERAL AGENCIES:
1. United States Geological Survey (USGS): Mr. Pedro L. Díaz
2. Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS): Edwin Almodóvar
3. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS): Beverly Yoshioka
B. COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO AGENCIES
1. Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA): Mr. Leonardo Montes
2. Puerto Rico Solid Waste Authority: Ms. Brenda González
C. NGO’s
1. Conservation Land Trust of Puerto Rico: Ms. Astrid Maldonado and Ms. Sandra Faria
2. San Juan Bay Estuary Program: Mr. Javier Laureano
3. Northeast Ecological Corridor Coalition: Ms. Carmen Guerrero and Ms. Camilla Feibelman
