Press Release
Issued: April 15, 2010
MERI Lecture to Focus on Role of the Next Generation in Saving the Ocean
Blue Hill, Maine—On Friday, April 30, the Marine Environmental Research Institute’s Ocean Environment Lecture Series features Ocean Lessons: Hopeful Solutions and the Power of the Next Generation, a presentation by Dr. David Guggenheim who will highlight the success of marine protected areas and his efforts as the “Ocean Doctor” to engage future generations in ocean stewardship. The lecture is part of MERI’s 20th Anniversary celebration events that are bringing the world’s leading marine experts to Blue Hill to address critical ocean issues. A reception honoring the speaker will begin at 6 PM followed by a lecture at 7 PM.
A tireless advocate for the oceans, Dr. Guggenheim is a marine scientist, conservation policy specialist, submarine pilot, and ocean explorer who brings his knowledge from the depths of the seas to the halls of Washington, D.C. and classrooms across the country. As a marine educator and host of the ExpeditionCasts podcast series, Dr. Guggenheim is engaged in a unique “50 States – 50 Speeches” expedition, visiting schools and delivering special programs about ocean exploration and conservation to young students. To date, he has traveled more than 35,000 miles, visited 13 states, made 39 speeches, and reached more than 10,000 students in schools ranging from Barrow, Alaska to the southern tip of Florida. Maine will be added as his 14th state with programs planned at the Blue Hill Consolidated School and Penobscot Elementary School for area students.
David Guggenheim is founder and president of 1planet1ocean, a project of The Ocean Foundation based in Washington, DC where he is a Senior Fellow and director of its Cuba Marine Research and Conservation Program. He recently spearheaded an initiative to improve collaboration in marine science and conservation between Cuba, Mexico and the U.S. As part of this project, Guggenheim is leading the first-ever comprehensive research and conservation program in Cuba’s Gulf of Mexico region, a joint effort with the University of Havana.
In 2007, Guggenheim served as a scientific advisor to Greenpeace during its mission to map deepwater corals in Alaska’s Bering Sea where he piloted the first-ever manned submersible dives into its largest underwater canyons. Guggenheim played a lead role in creating the newly-formed Gulf of Mexico Alliance, a partnership among the U.S. Gulf states, 13 federal agencies and Mexico. He is also working to introduce cutting-edge technologies for sustainable aquaculture practices to the Americas to reduce pressure on overfished wild fish stocks.
Guggenheim holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University, a Masters Degree in Aquatic and Population Biology from University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Masters Degree in Regional Science and Bachelors Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
MERI’s 2010 Ocean Environment Lecture Series is supported by the Maine Coastal Program and the Maine Community Foundation. Acclaimed Blue Hill chef, Diane Bianco, will provide appetizers for the reception featuring recipes from her upcoming cookbook, “Let’s Party in Maine!”
The Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI), located at 55 Main Street in Blue Hill, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the marine environment and human health through scientific research and education. For information about MERI’s monthly lectures, research and education programs, please call 374-2135, e-mail info@meriresearch.org or visit MERI online at www.meriresearch.org.