Member Spotlight

	Lynde Dodd in her element.

Name:  Lynde L. Dodd  

City:  Lewisville, TX

Affiliation:   Research Biologist, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers - Engineer Research and Development Center

Briefly describe your ongoing efforts/interest in ecological restoration.  For the past 15 years, my carreer has focused upon aquatic ecology and invasive species with an emphasis in aquatic ecosystem restoration. I enjoy working with local, state and federal partners to create functional, diverse and sustainable aquatic ecosystems that provide valuable habitat. Some of the more recent projects that I've had the privilege to offer my expertise in restoration techniques include the Dallas Floodway Extension in south Dallas, where created wetlands adjacent to the Trinity River provide much needed refuge for migratory waterfowl using the Central Flyway; working with Texas Parks and Wildlife and other partners on Lake Conroe to create valuable fisheries habitat as well as working with the City of Austin and the University of North Texas to restore aquatic vegetation to Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin.

Briefly describe if, and how, climate change has affected your work.  Invasive species management is paramount to creating resilient and sustainable ecosystems. Increased CO2 and temperature attributed to climate change may give a competitive edge to invasives over our Texas natives. Utilizing an adaptive management approach by using ongoing results from monitoring to address problematic species in a timely manner keeps these species in check and out of our natural landscapes. Examples of invasive that are managed in many Texas aquatic ecosystem restoration projects include alligatorweed ( Alternanthera philoxeroides) and annual bastard cabbage ( Rapistrum rugosum).

Illinois pondweed ( Potamogeton illinoensis) in Lake Austin, Austin, TX. Photo credit:  Lynde Dodd

Describe your favorite outdoor activity.  My favorite outdoor activity is kayaking and Texas has more than a few kayak worthy waterbodies to navigate for an adventure. On a day drive, my hubby and I love to traverse the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and if we have a few days for fun, the Brazos River or Llano River are prefect getaways. We've got the Devils River on our mind for our next kayaking trip.

What is your favorite Texas plant and/or animal?  Native aquatic plants are so often overlooked in our natural aquatic landscapes and, in many cases, regarded as "weeds". My favorite Texas plants would have to be pondweeds ( Potamogeton spp.) and duck potatoes ( Sagittaria spp.). Both are beneficial and vital to aquatic ecosystems in that they are versatile and hardy, directly providing seeds and tubers for wildlife, but also indirectly serving as habitat for macroinvertebrates and fish which in turn support migratory waterfowl and other aquatic animals. My favorite Texas animals would have to be the common snapping turtle ( Chelydra serpintina) and the hoary bat ( Lasiurus cinereus). 

Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) photographed at the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA), Lewisville, TX Photo credit:  Lynde Dodd and Richard Freiheit.

Article from the New York Times indicating much of Earth's biodiversity is made up of bacteria.

To read the article, click Tree of Life

Article about SER-Australia National Restoration Standards. Note the April 27th webinar on this topic below.

For more information, click Restoration Standards

3.  Texas Stories Told Through Maps

The Texas Landscape Project is a multi-media effort to track environmental events and conservation efforts in the State. Maps, text, data and video help to gain a better understanding of the role of land, water, energy, wildlife, people and health in Texas history.

For more information, click Texas Maps

New online tools make Texas water information available to the public.

To access the online tools, click Texas Water Explorer

Blog post from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) on how countries may need to change their approach if they are to meet commitments to restore millions of hectares of degraded land.

To read the blog, click: Think Big

Upcoming Events

5.  2016 Society for Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting

Theme:  Protecting Wetland Ecosystem Services.  Promoting Stronger Economies

Event Dates:  May 31 - June 4, 2016

Location:  American Bank Center, Corpus Christi

For more information, click the link:   SWS Annual Meeting